Pet owners say no to plans to implant microchip on dogs

“No foreign object in our pets.”
This is the collective call of pet owners as they launched an online petition on Aug. 7 objecting to the impending implementation by the City Veterinarian and Agricultural Office (CVAO) of the mandatory insertion of microchips in the skin of pet dogs.
The petitioners said the microchips might have adverse effects on small breeds and on pups.
While it may seem that the microchips can help owners find their dogs, the petitioners said the chips are unlike GPS devices where location of pets can be traced. Dog tags are a more reliable way of locating pets or tracing the owner, the petitioners added.
CVAO Head Brigit Piok said that small breeds shall only be microchipped if they reach three kilograms and that puppies shall not be microchipped until they are three months and above.
The petitioners also said the ordinance is an infringement on the right of an owner to decide what is best for their pets.
They questioned the three-day leeway before the CVAO euthanizes unclaimed stray dogs. Instead of euthanasia, they said CVAO should strive to look for the owners by posting pictures of lost dogs on its social media account and if still unclaimed, should be allowed to be adopted.
Piok said this is legal under Anti Rabies Act of 2007, which provides that impounded dogs not claimed after three days from the dog pound shall be placed for adoption to qualified persons or otherwise disposed in any manner authorized.
Likewise, Section 28 of Ordinance 60-2020, mandates that the unclaimed dogs shall be disposed by adoption, scientific studies, or euthanasia.
Piok reiterated that CVAO promotes dog adoption; hence, the City Pound is open everyday for adoption purposes. Re-homers are advised to check the dog they like to adopt.
In the ordinance, pet owners will shoulder the cost of microchip installation at P300 per pet. Owners who refuse to have microchips on their pets will be fined P2,000.
The microchips contain the dog’s breed, age, name and address of the owner, and vaccination history. – Rimaliza A. Opiña with reports from Jessa Samidan