(a) General authority.--A domestic animal owner may adopt a brand, tattoo or other form of identification with which to identify domestic animals owned by such person through the procedure set forth in this subchapter. A form of identification recorded in compliance with this subchapter shall be considered the personal property of the person who records it. Such person shall have the exclusive right to use this form of identification within this Commonwealth.

(b) Application, facsimile and fee.--A person desiring to adopt a form of identification shall submit an application form, a facsimile of the form of identification and a recording fee of $25 to the department. The department shall provide the application form upon request. This fee may be changed by the department through regulations.

(c) Provisional filing.--It shall be the duty of the department to file all forms of identification offered for recording, keeping account of the date and chronological order of receipt, pending the review and examination provided for in subsection (d). If the form of identification is subsequently accepted for recording, ownership of the form of identification shall vest from the date of filing.

(d) Review.--The department shall have the power to examine, approve, accept or reject an application to record a brand, tattoo or other form of identification. Following receipt of the required application, facsimile and fee, the department shall, as promptly as possible, determine whether the form of identification is of record as that of some other person and whether the form of identification conflicts with or closely resembles that of another person. If neither of these conditions exist, the department shall record the form of identification. If either or both of these conditions exist, the department shall not record the form of identification, but shall instead return the recording fee and facsimile to the applicant.