Spay neuter grant funds

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is now accepting applications for the 2015 Animal Friendly Spay/Neuter Grant program. Grants provided through this initiative support low-cost spay and neuter programs for dogs and cats in Tennessee and are funded through sales of Animal Friendly license plates.

“This program benefits human health as well as animal health by helping control the number of unwanted dogs and cats,” said TDH Environmental Health Director Hugh Atkins. “We encourage both nonprofit organizations and government agencies to consider participating in the program.”

To be eligible for funding, applicants must offer sterilization services provided by a veterinarian licensed in Tennessee and performed in a facility permitted by the Department of Health. Animals for which procedures are provided must be owned or adopted by individuals living in Tennessee.

Applications for the Animal Friendly Spay/Neuter Grants must be submitted by 2 p.m. Central time May 12, 2015. Application forms are available online at http://health.state.tn.us/vendors.htm.

TDH administers the Animal Friendly Spay/Neuter Grants as part of the Rabies Control program. Reducing the number of unwanted animals lowers the risk of rabies and other diseases in both humans and pets. Tennessee law requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets against this serious and fatal disease provides a barrier between wild and unvaccinated animals and humans, as pets are more likely than people are to come into direct contact with wildlife and stray animals that may carry rabies.

For more information about the Animal Friendly Spay/Neuter Grant application process, contact Melissa Painter at 615-741-0285 or Melissa.Painter@tn.gov.