Government
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Public input sought on Bastrop’s pet microchipping mandate
The debate
Council members raised concerns about the cost of mandating microchipping. Jeremy Parks, executive director of nonprot animal welfare organization Save an Angel, said they oer $22 microchipping services for all pet owners, regardless of income, and are working with local businesses to sponsor free microchipping events. “Our current ordinance to register an animal is $25,” McBain said. “$22 for microchipping is much better.” The council also noted challenges with enforcing the mandate. “[McBain] is not going to go out knocking on doors and checking if your dog has a microchip; that is not the intent,” Carrillo- Trevino said, adding that the goal is to reunite pets before they ever end up in the shelter. Following the town hall, council members will reconvene to discuss the microchipping mandate on or after April 26.
Bastrop residents can weigh in at a town hall meeting on April 2 regarding a proposed ordinance requiring microchipping for all dogs and cats. This follows a tabled motion to mandate microchipping at a Feb. 25 council meeting. Robert McBain, an ocial with Bastrop’s animal control and code enforcement, said microchipping is more reliable than tags, which often get lost. He noted that microchipping also helps reunite more pets with their owners and reduces shelter intake. This eases the taxpayer burden of the $270 per pet fee for intake at the animal shelter. City Manager Sylvia Carrilo-Trevino said keeping pets out of the shelter not only saves taxpayer money, but also keeps pets from being euthanized.
Pet reunication likelihood With a microchip
Without a microchip 52%
Dogs
22%
38%
Cats
2%
Town Hall The public is invited to attend the upcoming meeting to discuss the proposed microchipping mandate. • April 2, 5:30 p.m. • Bastrop City Hall, 1311 Chestnut St.
SOURCES: CITY OF BASTROP, SAVE AN ANGELCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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