Pet Spay Neuter Grants Now Available

January 23, 2014

Through sales of “I’m Pet Friendly” license plates, Missourians have provided more than $100,000 for animal shelters and rescue groups over the past five years

Pet Spay & Neuter Grants Now Available

The Missouri Department of Agriculture now has grants available to animal shelters, rescue groups and other non-profit organizations for spay and neuter services. This is the sixth year for the program, after last year’s donations topped $20,000 and raised the total contributions through the program to more than $100,000 since it was established in 2009.

The Pet Spay and Neuter Program helps animal shelters, humane societies and non-profit rescue groups with the costs of spaying and neutering animals. Last year, the Department was able to provide $20,000 for Missouri shelters and rescue groups through this program. Applications for 2014 grants are available now through the Feb. 28, 2014 deadline.

Copies of the required forms and instructions for preparing an application are available on the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s website at mda.mo.gov.

The Pet Spay & Neuter program is funded through the sales of “I’m Pet Friendly” license plates through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Each sale of the plate donates $20 to the Missouri Pet Spay & Neuter Fund, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

The plates are available to Missouri residents making a donation to the program at any time throughout the year at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – a renewal notice is not necessary.

The 2013 recipients included the Ava Area Animal Welfare League of Ava. BARC of Fenton, Coalition for Animal Rescue and Education (C.A.R.E.) of Cadet, Foundation for Animals in Risk (FAIR) of Sedalia, Humane Society of Ray County and Karma’s Black Dog Rescue of Richmond, Northland Animal Welfare Society and Spay & Neuter Kansas City of Kansas City, Perry Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Perryville, and Phelps County Animal Welfare League of Rolla.

Grants help each organization provide spay and neuter services to the animals they receive prior to making the animals available for adoption. Grant funds may also be used to assist low income pet owners who cannot afford these vital veterinary services.

For more information, please visit the Missouri Department of Agriculture online at mda.mo.gov.