Microchipping Law Looks to Help Reunite Lost Pets With Owners

There's a new law in New York that looks to help reunite lost pets with their owners. A New York law that went into effect this week requires that all animal shelters, rescue groups and other organizations that take in found pets check to see if the animal has a  microchip in them. They then must try to contact the owner within 24 hours."We've been in compliance with this legislation for many years and microchipping is one of the most reliable ways to ensure that you reunite a pet with their owner in the shortest amount of time," Executive Director of the Chemung County SPCA Tom Geroy said.According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 52 percent of lost dogs who have been implanted with a microchip are reunited with their owners, and 39 percent of microchipped cats are returned home. But Geroy said the information associated with the device is just as important as the chip itself.