§ 47-3-55 — Animal shelter personnel to contact owner if known; implant of identifying microchip in adopted or redeemed dogs and cats.

(A) If an animal shelter accepts or comes into possession of a dog or cat, the shelter immediately and thoroughly must scan the dog or cat for a tatoo, any implanted microchip, or similar device, which provides evidence of ownership and, upon finding it, immediately must make a good faith effort to contact the identified owner as required by Section 47-3-540. (B) If an animal shelter or its officers, directors, or staff have made a good faith effort to comply with the provisions of subsection (A), they must be held harmless, as well as the manufacturer, against any action at law or otherwise, civil or criminal, for failure to detect a microchip or similar device and undertake the action specified in subsection (A). (C) If a dog or cat is adopted or redeemed from an animal shelter, a licensed veterinarian or an animal shelter employee under the direction of a licensed veterinarian may implant a microchip in the dog or cat adopted or redeemed. The animal shelter shall record the date the microchip was implanted, the name, address, and telephone number of the person adopting or redeeming the dog or cat, an identification number unique to the dog or cat adopted or redeemed, the name, address, and telephone number of the animal shelter that sheltered the dog or cat before adoption or redemption, and the date the dog or cat was adopted or redeemed. The animal shelter must keep a record of all microchips implanted pursuant to this subsection. (D) The animal shelter is not required to adhere to subsection (A), if the necessary scanner is not provided free of charge or at a reasonable cost as determined by the county or municipality. (E) The owner redeeming his dog or cat must elect to have a microchip implanted.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 293, SECTION 1, eff May 19, 2000.