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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky pet owners with low incomes again will be able to receive vouchers from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to help pay for spaying and neutering their pets starting Jan. 1, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has announced.
The Animal Control Advisory Board has budgeted $100,000 for the program. A $100,000 appropriation for a pilot voucher program in the second half of 2005 was exhausted in six months.
“Pet owners want to do the right thing by spaying and neutering their pets,” Commissioner Farmer said. “The voucher program enables more people to do that. This program will reduce the number of unwanted animals in Kentucky. That will reduce the workload and expenses of local animal shelters. It also will make our communities safer. I am pleased to be able to reinstate this important program.”
Low-income pet owners may get a voucher application from participating veterinarians; by calling the KDA toll-free at 1-888-297-9093, or by downloading the application here: Pet Owner Voucher Application (Microsoft Word Document). Applicants must return the completed application with proof of low income to the KDA. Once they are approved, participants will receive a voucher or vouchers to go toward the cost of spaying or neutering their pets. Participants will be responsible for a $10 co-pay per procedure, to be paid to the veterinarian.
The KDA reported that 1,002 pet owners and 168 veterinarians participated in the program in 2005.The voucher program is funded with proceeds from the sale of spay and neuter license plates. The plates are available for an initial fee of $25 and an annual renewal fee of $20. Vehicle owners can get the spay and neuter license plate by applying at their county clerk’s office.
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