INJECTIBLE IDENTIFICATION PET MICROCHIP I.D. PROGRAM BEGINS.

Byline: Jordan Smith  Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - As part of the city's attempt to curb the population of stray dogs and cats, the Animal Regulation Department has gone digital.

Starting Tuesday, all dogs and cats adopted from city shelters will be implanted with a microchip that city officials said will help owners recover lost pets and cut the number of euthanized animals.

Additionally, said animal regulation spokeswoman Jackie David, the system will be able to track the number of times an animal turns up stray, making it easier to stop multiple-offender owners.

``Hopefully, as we come up with positive results from this, it will be a deterrent to people who don't properly confine their animals,'' she said.

The chip - about the size of a grain of rice - is implanted via hypodermic needle underneath the skin, between the shoulder blades.

Each chip contains an electronic number which, when scanned, accesses electronically stored owner information.

Officials said the system is fully integrated around the city, so no matter where a dog or cat shows up, the owner can be found.

On Tuesday, at the East Valley Animal Shelter in North Hollywood, seven frisky pups ready for new homes were implanted with chips by registered veterinarian technician Teri Gray, who said the system is quick and nearly painless.

``It probably feels a bit more than their immunizations, because the needle is slightly larger,'' she said. ``But it takes only seconds before they're all back here playing.''

David said that since Ventura, San Mateo and San Diego counties use the chip system, the agencies are starting a regional effort.

Sharon Rogers, who was adopting two dogs Tuesday, said it is a good idea.

``What do you do if your dog gets out of your area? You'll be visiting your local shelter, but what if your dog goes down to San Diego?'' she asked. ``With this system, they'll scan the dog down there and they can call. I think it will really help.''

Rogers works as a ``rescue runner,'' adopting and transporting dogs from Southland shelters to no-kill rescue farms and individual homes. She said in the five years she's been rescuing dogs, she's seen the benefits of the chip system.

``In Ventura, dealing with (the county-run) Camarillo (shelter), there are always people in there who are happy to find their dogs. It's pretty cool,'' she said.

In addition to implanting chips in pound pups and cats, David said the department is offering the service to all Los Angeles pet owners.

The $15 service is included in pet adoption fees and is required for all adoptions. For other pet owners interested in tracking Fido's whereabouts, the cost is $25 and includes a medical exam. David said people interested in the service should call their local shelter.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Ruby Gallardo holds a pup at the East Valley Animal Shelter while veterinarian technician Teri Gray implants a microchip.

(2) A small hand-held reader displays a number embedded in each microchip.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer