MOULTRIE – The Moultrie-Colquitt County Humane Society received a $1,500 grant from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Dog and Cat Sterilization Program.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s DCSP Grant helps reduce the strain of overpopulation on Georgia’s animal shelters by providing financial assistance for low-cost spay/neuter programs in communities across the state. The DCSP received $800,000 in funding for Fiscal Year 2024, stated a press release from Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper’s office.
“I’m excited to congratulate the more than 90 organizations who were selected to receive this year’s DCSP Grant awards and thank them for the work they do every single day to ensure Georgia’s shelter pets receive the humane care they deserve,” Harper said. “The Dog and Cat Sterilization Program is vital as we work to address animal overpopulation in our state, and we look forward to ensuring the program’s continued success for years to come.”
In 2003, the Georgia General Assembly established the Dog and Cat Reproductive Sterilization Support Program to subsidize spaying and neutering procedures for dogs and cats, which resulted in the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program that’s overseen by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Funds for the program are raised by the sale of dog and cat themed license plates, which can be bought at any local tag office. Contributions to the program can be made on an individual’s Georgia tax return or on the program’s website, https://agr.georgia.gov/dog-and-cat-sterilization-program-dcsp.
Both Chairman of the Board Marci Meadows and Director Dawn Blanton of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Humane Society said, in an earlier interview, that spaying and neutering was the key to helping the overpopulation issue that shelters and animal control were facing and that there were programs out there to assist with it.
Anne’s Fund is a local spay/neuter incentive program made possible by a partnership between the Moultrie-Colquitt County Humane Society and the South Georgia Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic. The program provides income-based support for Colquitt County citizens to get their pets spayed or neutered.
On June 18, the Moultrie City Council amended the city’s code of ordinances to add section 14-70 Spaying and Neutering Required.
“It shall be unlawful to own, possess, control or keep in the City of Moultrie any dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered except for the following,” states the new ordinance and then goes on to outline three exceptions. In short, they are:
1. A dog or cat that is kept for commercial breeding by an individual holding a valid and current breeder’s license, issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
2. A dog or cat that a Georgia licensed veterinarian has executed a document stating it is unfit to undergo spaying or neutering for health reasons, only during the duration of the relevant health condition.
3. A dog or cat that is entered, competing or actively participating in a show or event, only during the duration of the show or event, including traveling to and from the show or event.
“It may take a few years to have the desired impact of reducing stray, unwanted and dangerous dogs, but it has proved to be effective. It is far better for controlling overpopulation than euthanasia,” said City Manager Pete Dillard.
For more information about obtaining a breeder’s license or to apply online, go to the Georgia Department of Agriculture website, https://agr.georgia.gov/pet-dealer-licenses.