HB 2626 Summary

• Requires cities and towns to scan deceased cats and dogs found in public places for microchips and make reasonable efforts to contact owners before disposal at landfills.

• Mandates that county pounds, veterinarians, and humane societies scan all impounded dogs and cats for microchips on intake and make reasonable efforts to contact owners, with extended 120-hour holding periods for animals with microchip identification.

• Requires veterinarians to scan stray dogs and cats for microchips and attempt owner notification.

• Requires animal crematory licensees to scan dogs and cats brought by non-owners for microchips and contact owners unless previous scanning records exist.

• Establishes animal shelter requirements to scan for microchips and make reasonable efforts to contact owners when taking possession of dogs or cats.