ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today unanimously passed House Bill 1106. Sponsored by Representative Gene Maddox (R-Cairo), HB 1106 requires animal shelters to scan animals for microchips.
“Since so many pets are now being implanted with microchips, occasionally some are being picked up by animal control,” said Representative Maddox. “Scanning will help return animals to their homes and save them from being unnecessarily euthanized.”
HB 1106 requires animal shelters to scan each animal for a microchip within 24 hours of an animal being brought to the shelter and before an animal is euthanized. If a microchip is found, the shelter must make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner.
HB 1106 will now be sent to the Senate for consideration. A link to the bill can be found by clicking here.
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Representative Gene Maddox represents the citizens of District 172, which includes Decatur County and a portion of Grady County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and is currently the Secretary of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Economic Development and Tourism, Health and Human Services, Human Relations and Aging, and Retirement Committees.