Hi, On the other hand, it is still in the proposed budget a proposal to eliminate the requirement that shelters search for owners of lost animals who come in WITH a microchip. (I suppose that saves some $$, too...though not nearly as much as his original proposal) Still, it goes against what is currently happening both in California and the rest of the country--more and more owners/shelters are using microchips. In fact, many shelters are putting microchips in the animal before adopting them out...) I know of several cases where the microchip was able to match the owner with the lost pet. Glad that Sparky doesn't live in California, Marlena in Missouri ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html