AgNews

Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 South Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901 

 To:  Newsroom Directors and Assignment Editors

Funding available for low cost, pet Spay/Neuter Program

Income eligible residents are urged to apply at DDA and Animal Shelters

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that funds continue to be available for an expanded Pilot Program offering low cost, pet spay/neuter procedures for dogs and cats of income eligible Delawareans.  In keeping with HB 425 enacted by the 143^rd General Assembly in June 2006,  a pilot program was launched in the Fall to help income-eligible Delawareans pay for spay/neuter procedures for their dogs and cats at 3 participating veterinary practices.   During this expansion, additional providers are offering the services to increase accessibility to residents.  

Delaware residents who are income-eligible are encouraged to apply right away for funding assistance from the Spay/Neuter Fund while the certificates last!  Once applicants apply they should receive approval to schedule their pet’s surgery within a few days.  All surgeries must be scheduled by June 15^th and performed by June 30^th to complete the pilot program expansion project.  The state estimates that 300 pets of low income owners can be altered through the remainder of this fiscal year.

Eligible residents may apply for up to 3 household pets for just $10 per pet and additional $10 if a rabies inoculation is needed.  Applications can be filled out at the following locations and times:

A person is eligible if they:

(1)        Are an adult, 18 years or older; and

(2)        Are a resident of the State of Delaware; and

(3)        Are the owner or keeper of a domestic cat or dog to be altered

(4)        Have a photo ID 

(5)        Show proof of being a recipient of one (1) of the following programs:

                        Food Stamps

                        General Assistance

                        Medicaid

                        Social Security Disability (SSD)

                        Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

                        Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

                        WIC.

In keeping with the spay/neuter law seventy-five percent of the remainder of this fiscal year’s funding will be utilized for income eligible Delawareans and twenty-five percent will be dedicated to subsidizing 501 C3 non-profit animal welfare agencies for the cost of sterilizing abandoned/free-roaming/homeless/stray/unwanted animals.    

Too many people, for a variety of reasons, do not have their pets spayed or neutered and this has ultimately produced an explosive population growth of animals in Delaware and across the nation.  This creates financial stress on government, non-profit animal rescue agencies and citizens working to address the problem.  Increasing the number of animals spayed or neutered in Delaware will significantly reduce the number of animals being euthanized in Delaware, decrease the cost to pick up and house them; as well as decrease the threat to public health and safety. 

For more information on the State’s Expanded Spay/Neuter Pilot Program - Phase II or to pick up an application, please contact: Delaware Department of Agriculture Spay/Neuter Program at 302-698-4500 or contact your local animal shelter.

Applications can also be downloaded from the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s web site:

www.dda.delaware.gov .

How to Reach Your Delaware State Legislators

Contact the election department in your county.

The phone numbers for the election departments are:

New Castle County: (302) 577-3464
Kent County: (302) 739-4498
Sussex County: (302) 856-5367

Senate Democrats Receptionist:  (302) 744-4286
Senate Republicans Receptionist:  (302) 744-4048

House Republicans Receptionist: (302) 744-4171
House Democrats Receptionist: (302) 744-4291

or write: (see the grey sidebar on this page for more info)
Mail letters to Senators and Representatives at:
[Name of Senator or Representative]
Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903


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