Request For Vote

Dear Members,
This serves as your official notification and invitation to vote on a topic of interest to all. Please vote below -

The Issue:

Animal care providers have expressed concern about the proliferation of companies offering microchip-based recovery services. The focus of interest is twofold; (i) which company should an animal care provider contact in order to expedite reuniting lost pets with their families, and; (ii) how does an animal care facility effectively register adopted animals with different brands of microchips. 

Pet Recovery: Planning for the Future

There have been suggestions that one centralized recovery database be established.  Realistically, however, this concept will be problematic and probably should not be pursued, because it would establish a monopoly, is anti-competitive, lacks funding and oversight, and would not adequately address privacy issues expressed by pet owners, breeders, shelter personnel and veterinarians.  Additionally, it would require conformance and enforcement, necessitating a government mandate.  Required funding might cause an economic challenge to shelters and care givers.

A viable alternative may be found in the model established by Spain over a decade ago.  In Spain there are approximately 10 autonomous and independent recovery databases, and one umbrella database that directs a caller to the appropriate recovery service for owner information.  The independent recovery services routinely upload only the microchip numbers from their databases, without owner information, to the umbrella database.  Privacy is maintained for the pet owner, and the umbrella database can easily refer a caller to the appropriate recovery service irrespective of microchip brand.  Funding requirement for the umbrella database is nominal and is provided by participating recovery services, who must also agree to a reasonable set of criteria that insures a workable recovery service for the entire nation.

The Vote to Develop the Plan

AMACA is polling its members to ascertain whether or not this is a reasonable project for AMACA to develop.  If the consensus vote is affirmative then a detailed draft plan will be drawn up for member consideration, discussion and subsequent consensus vote.  Members are invited to participate in this plan, but are not required to do so.

Membership in AMACA is voluntary.  An affirmative consensus vote requires 75% of members to affirm the vote.  Voting is electronic, by email to AmacaVotes@AmacaUSA.org

Votes will be tallied by November 17, 2006 and posted on the AMACA web site by November 19th, 2006.  To respect members’ time, the absence of a NAY vote will be counted in the AFFIRMATIVE.

 Thank you for your time,