Local animal owners no longer required to chip their pets

SAN MARCOS – The City Council of San Marcos, Texas, unanimously voted last week to rescind a mandatory pet microchipping ordinance that would have required all pets within city limits to receive an injected implant. The 7 to 0 vote was made at the City Council meeting on March 31, 2009. All members were present and voted, including Mayor Susan Clifford-Narvaiz, according to San Marcos Communications Director Melissa Millecam.

The chipping ordinance was originally adopted last December and was
slated to take effect on April 1st. The measure had sparked months of
heated opposition and repeated demonstrations by local residents,
including a protest and candlelight vigil at the March 3rd City Council
meeting that drew a crowd of over 300 people.

“We applaud the San Marcos City Council for this decision,” said local
activist Lisa Marie Coppoletta, who helped organize the March 3rd rally.
“Chipping should be a voluntary decision between pet owners and their
veterinarians. It should never be mandated by the government.”

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Posted By Beat The Chip to Beat The Chip at 4/06/2009 02:13:00 PM