elegy, i completly agree.
for example, in my county alone there are over 10 "shelters" and more AC/pounds.
of those 10, only 2 have the universal scanners (which i think it should be mandetory for them all to have universal scanners) of the 2 with universal scanners, 1 shelter scans every dog....(though doesnt nessicarily contact the breeder on the chip because they belive breeders are "evil" and shouldnt get their dog back) and the other shelter only scans dogs THEY pick up, if ac or a vet calls for a pick up, they dont scan because the ac or vet was "supposed to"
of the other 8 who dont have universal scanners, only 2 regualrly scan dogs comming into the shelter.
and out of all 10 shelters only 1 will have the vet do a secondary scan with a universal scanner of the entire body if their scanner doesnt pick anything up.
of the pounds and AC units "were too busy to scan every dog that comes in" has been a statement of fact from many AC units and admin staff at the pounds in this area.
personally i think SCANNING shoudl be mandetory...chipping however im not sure about, it just seems like one more step to mandetory breed registration, mandetory spay/neuter ect...