Elizabeth (EB) Butterworth Stutts, Esq - Benefits & Drawbacks of Microchipping and The Law on ”Why Do Pets Matter?” hosted by Debra Hamilton EP 209

Today we're speaking with Elizabeth Stutz. She's an attorney colleague of mine in Virginia. We've had several discussions about microchips, their benefits, and drawbacks. Microchips are only as good as the information that's on them and the scanning that's done. We're also talking about some of the vagaries of whether or not everyone scans for them. Pets are important to Elizabeth because having a pet can help us expand our understanding of selflessness, unconditional love, partnership, compassion, passion, joy & empathy. Pets remind us that we are not alone and that the world is greater than ourselves. When it comes to microchipping your pets, Elizabeth believes that: The pet parent is responsible for protecting the pet with proper licensure & identification.  The pet parent's responsibility to update microchip information in the event of a move or transfer of ownership & failure to comply makes microchip IDs only part of the "puzzle" & not the definitive answer -- meaning veterinary professionals should not solely rely upon the microchip.  Communication and cooperation between government animal control and private shelters and welfare organizations is essential to ensure lost pets are returned to their pet parent(s). Mentioned During The Show: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-microchip-lookup/microchip-search/   More About Elizabeth Stutts: The law practice of Elizabeth (EB) Butterworth Stutts focuses on veterinary healthcare, including licensure, televet services and the development, approval and regulation by FDA of veterinary medicines, supplements and medical devices.  A lifelong pet owner and horseman, she lives in Maidens, VA on a horse boarding farm, where she has bred, raised, rescued, trained and competed her own horses and provided "lay-up" care for injured horses, under veterinary supervision.  In addition to having 2 teenage boys and a fiancé, she is currently the "pet parent" of 2 dogs, a cat, a donkey, 5 horses and 2 chickens, and these numbers are always subject to additions!  She is passionate about helping veterinarians and others in the animal industry avoid future problems by having appropriately drafted contracts and documents from the outset. "Money spent drafting solid documents will always be a fraction of that spent litigating a poorly drafted contract."   Connect with Elizabeth: Website: www.elizabethbutterworthstuttsesq.comEmail: ebstutts@elizabethbutterworthstuttsesq.comLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/elizabethbstutts