Support the scanning of deceased animals for microchips by ODOT employees.

OAA PROGRAM AREA: Animal Welfare, Ecology

ACTION LEVEL: State

Each year, countless domestic and wild animals are killed on state highways by motor vehicles. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) road service crew members are tasked with picking up these deceased animals and properly disposing of them.

HB 379 proposes that road crews be equipped with microchip scanners to determine if a deceased cat or dog has a microchip. If so, an established chain of communication would notify the owner that their pet has been found. The owner would be given 24-hours to retrieve the pet.

What You Can Do:

Contact your State Representatives right now and urge them to co-sponsor and support this bill using the sample letter below. You can find your Representatives here.

Share this Action Alert on your social media to raise awareness, educate, and encourage your family, friends, and co-workers in Ohio to contact their State Representatives about this important bill! 

Take Action:

Dear Representative _________:

Every year, Ohioans lose pets due to vehicular accidents on interstate routes, as well as state and federal routes outside of municipalities. ODOT road service crew members are responsible for picking up all wild and domestic animals and disposing of them.

HB 379 would require crew members to scan companion animals for microchips and if found, to contact local authorities who would hold the body for up to 24 hours.

The return of a deceased pet to its distressed owner would be immensely significant in many ways including the ability to choose the final farewell for their beloved pet.

I implore you to support House Bill 379 to ensure the rightful return of companion animals to their owners.

Sincerely,

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