TDA Awards Spay/Neuter Grants to TN Organizations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the recipients of the animal spay/neuter grants at the Nashville Humane Association. The grants supports low cost spay/neuter programs in Tennessee and are funded through Animal Friendly license plate sales.“This is a great program that not only helps control the number of unwanted animals but it also provides important animal and public health benefits,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “Last year, with the help of humane organizations across the state, we were able to benefit more than 4,300 animals through Animal Friendly license plate sales.”

Every Animal Friendly license plate sale contributes more than $15 to fund the grants. This year, $190,000 was awarded to a total of 45 different non-profit animal care and rescue organizations and government agencies. The grants ranged from $1,400 to $4,600.

“The spay and neuter license plate grant program provides an opportunity for communities to actively work on a solution for reducing unwanted puppies or kittens that overwhelm local animal control and humane organizations,” said Mary Pat Boatfield, Executive Director of the Nashville Humane Association.

Reducing the number of unwanted animals also helps reduce cases of animal cruelty, starvation and lowers the instances of disease.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture works to prevent, control and eradicate certain infectious or communicable diseases of livestock and other domestic animals. The agency houses the State Veterinarian Office, has three animal diagnostic labs and is charged with administering the Disaster Animal Response Team. For more information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Section, visit http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/regulate/animals/index.html.

For more information on how to purchase an Animal Friendly license plate, visit http://state.tn.us/revenue/vehicle/licenseplates/specialty.htm.