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Ohio Town May Start Microchipping Cats
by Patricia Collier

In a controversial move that could reunite stray cats with their guardians and help animal guardians become more responsible, the Akron, Ohio city council is considering a plan to implant microchips in felines.

Council member Renee Green proposed the idea February 9.

Initially, the microchips, which are about the size of a grain of rice, would be placed in 1,000 cats.

If a cat were to be found wandering, the animal's guardian could be identified by electronically scanning for a chip. If a chip were found, it could be matched up to the guardians from a voluntary registry maintained by the city.

The proposal is actually an amendment to a cat law passed in Akron last year that places cats in the same category as dogs in that they too could be captured by animal control if found roaming free; they too could be subject to euthanasia at the Summit County
Animal Shelter if not claimed.

Even though the cost of the chips would be $10,000, the animal shelter already has the scanners. The project would generate some income because the legislation would include a $10 penalty for guardians whose cats are picked up and returned to them.

The city would also charge $10 per microchip, which could save the guardians anywhere from $50-$110.

Jeff Fusco, the city's deputy service director, said the city would not charge for maintaining the registry. Fusco also said Akron plans to offer four free or low-cost spay and neuter clinics throughout the year.

The proposal has drawn some resistance. A nonprofit organization called the Citizens for Humane Animal Practices (CHAP) has been fighting the idea and has actually filed a lawsuit against the city, which is set for trial May 17.

Polly Grunfeld Sack, an attorney representing CHAP, said that while the group was happy the city was giving attention to its cat law, the 1,000 chips would only cover a small portion of the cats residing in Akron, and it made more sense to spend the money in other ways.

"Certainly, it's a step in the right direction... but there are so many better ways to spend that money," Sack said. "The low-cost spay and neuter is starting to get to the problem -- that's the only effective way to deal with free-roaming cats."

Greene said she introduced the amendment to make sure "the animal kingdom is well-represented and protected by this City Council." And Akron's mayor Don Plusquellic was positive about the legislation, saying he felt it would help ensure that animal guardians, regardless of their financial situation, would not lose their animals. "We think we're fulfilling our obligation," Plusquellic said.

A public hearing regarding the legislation will be held Feb. 23, after which the council will vote on the issue.