Lost pet microchipping program will launch in Logan

Lost pets will be mandatorily microchipped under a new law in the city of Logan.

The ordinance will require the animal to receive a data chip prior to its release back to its owner. According to the resolution, the cost for placing the chip will be set at $20, with fees to be paid by the owner upon the return of a lost animal.

The proposed ordnance was first described to the Logan City Council by Police Chief Gary Jensen and Lt. Brad Franke on Sept. 4. It was unanimously approved.

In addition to chipping lost pets before they are returned to owners, the police department hopes to chip animals when they are registered with the city. This will ensure pets will be returned home if they become lost. “One in three pets will be lost in their lifetime,” Jensen explained at the meeting.

After discussing the resolution, Councilwoman Amy Anderson had concerns regarding who would microchip animals in Logan city.

Franke said the police department is "creating a partnership with the Bridgerland Technical College animal science program.” The college will teach officers how to safely place microchips in pets and to create a sanitary shelter for animals who have not yet received a chip.

“We’re not worried about being a no-kill shelter,” Jensen said. “We want to be a 100 percent return-to-owner shelter.”

Anderson noted that Logan isn’t trying out something new. “The United Kingdom has mandatory chipping,” she said. “It's not unusual for municipalities or entire countries to mandate chipping.”

Weber County animal services run a similar program. Director Ashley Haslam said owners are responsible for registering the animal once it has a chip.

"Owners can change their address, phone number, and even add pet photos online at any time," Haslam said. This online program helps the shelter find pets’ owners much faster.

According to a study done at Ohio State University, 73 percent of chipped animals are returned to owners compared to the 22 percent of cats and dogs without chips. “It’s a highly effective program that gets pets back to owners,” Jensen said.

Franke is excited to see the impact of microchipping in Logan. “We just want to get pets home,” he said.

The police department hopes to have the program running within a month.