T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown Executive Director Austin Gillis demonstrates a pet microchip as councilors Marco Yepez-Gomez and Gary Thompson look on during Monday night’s meeting.

Two weeks after reviewing and discussing a series of proposed changes to Chapter 90 of the city code regarding pets, the Marshalltown City Council approved the first reading of a new ordinance during Monday night’s regular meeting.

Once a motion and second were made to advance the new ordinance, the floor was opened to public comments. Linda Clark worried about enacting more regulations without enforcing them, and Leigh Bauder suggested further discussions on the vicious animal provision.

Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Marshalltown Executive Director Austin Gillis offered his support for the changes after serving as a member of the Animal Ordinance Review Committee.

“I’m here because the Animal Rescue League sees the reality of lost pets every day — the heartbreak of families, the strain on our police department, the pressure that it puts on city resources — and tonight we have a chance to take a simple, practical step that makes Marshalltown safer, more responsible and more compassionate,” Gillis said.

One of the most common concerns he has heard, Gillis added, is about microchipping and why animals that never go outside need them, but he noted that “life happens” and sometimes pets get out regardless.

“No one plans on these moments, but microchips help us prepare for them,” he said.

Microchipped cats and dogs, according to Gillis, are much more likely to return to their owners on the occasion that they do get out — the number jumps from 22 to 52 percent for dogs and two percent to 38 percent for cats. He also pointed to the potential increase in police resources if they spend less time responding to animal calls, and Gillis even brought a microchip to the podium to demonstrate the installation process.

For families with financial needs, the ARL can provide microchip vouchers, and Gillis wrapped up his remarks by reiterating his message of support for the new ordinance.

“I’m asking our community to rally behind a solution that works, one that reunites families, saves resources and strengthens Marshalltown. For these reasons, the ARL of Marshalltown respectfully urges the council to move forward with adopting these ordinances,” he said.

Doris Kinnick told the council she supported microchipping pets, and without any further discussion, the first reading passed by a 6-1 vote with Councilor Mark Mitchell opposed.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.