SACRAMENTO, CA. August 30, 2020 – Today, California Senator Ling Ling Chang’s (R-Diamond Bar) Senate Bill 573 passed both the Assembly Floor and Senate concurrence unanimously. The bill will require local animal control agencies and public and private shelters to microchip all reclaimed or adopted cats and dogs. The bill, sponsored by animal advocacy group, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), is a revised version of a bill that reached Governor Newsom’s desk last year.

“Our pets are part of our family and it’s heartbreaking to see how many photos of lost pets are posted on social media every week,” said Senator Chang. “By microchipping our dogs and cats with their owner’s information, we can help reunite pets with owners, significantly reduce the number of euthanized pets, and keep the pressure off our shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We thank the California State Legislature for passing this overdue bill in order to stop euthanizing dogs and cats that already have homes and save our taxpayer dollars. It is morally bankrupt to continue to kill animals in shelters simply because the animal has no identification,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “For a minuscule cost of $5 for a microchip and free registries, we cannot afford to overlook this commonsense measure that gets pets out of shelters and back home with their families.” 

“In a time of such bitter partisan divides, it is just wonderful that we could all come together for our furry family members. May they never be lost.” said Gary Michelson, M.D., philanthropist and founder and co-chair of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, an organization that has created the largest free microchip registry and supplies low-cost microchips to shelters and rescues around the country.