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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law this week that will require found pets to be checked for microchips within 24 hours of being picked up on local streets.
The law will require animal shelters and rescue groups that take in lost animals to check if a found pet has a chip or other identifying information that may help them reunite with their family.
A list of rules and regulations are also being developed by the Department of Agriculture and Markets to help standardize microchip technology in pets in New York.
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.
The new legislation is scheduled to take full effect in April next year.
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