TDA Awards Spay/Neuter Grants to Tennessee Organizations
CHATTANOOGA – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the recipients of the animal spay/neuter grants at the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga. 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 Ken Givens, Commissioner. “Every dollar the agency receives goes directly to spay and neuter services. Citizens can be assured that their money is going directly to the mission of the license plate.”
Every Animal Friendly license plate sale contributes more than $15 to fund the grants. This year, $96,000 was awarded to a total of 48 different non-profit animal care and rescue organizations and government agencies. The grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,500. The total funds are less than previous years, due mainly to fewer people renewing their Animal Friendly license plates. Last year, more than 2,300 animals benefited from Animal Friendly funds.
“The Animal Friendly license plate grant program provides funds for communities to help reduce the number of unwanted animals,” said Guy Bilyeu, Humane Educational Society Executive Director. “Spaying and neutering your pets not only eliminates unwanted litters, but also prevents diseases and can increase a pet’s lifespan.”
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 a network of three animal diagnostic labs and helps coordinate Disaster Animal Response Teams.
For more information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Animal Friendly Grant, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/regulatory/spayneuter.html.
Citizens should contact their county clerk’s office to purchase an Animal Friendly license plate.
Tennessee Spay/Neuter Grant Recipients by County
The Humane Society, Anderson, $2,500.00
Shelbyville-Bedford Co. Humane Association, Bedford, $2,500.00
West TN Animal Rescue, Benton, $2,500.00
Animal Works,Blount, $2,500.00
Carroll Co. Humane Society, Carroll, $2,500.00
Carter Co. Humane Society, Carter, $2,500.00
Coffee Co. Humane Society, Coffee, $1,000.00
Humane Society of Cumberland Co., Cumberland, $2,500.00
Wags & Whiskers Pet Rescue, Cumberland, $2,500.00
Nashville Humane Association, Davidson, $1,000.00
Decatur Co. Humane Assn., Decatur, $2,500.00
Freckles' Friends Pet Shelter, DeKalb, $1,000.00
Dyersburg/Dyer Co. Humane Society, Dyer, $2,500.00
Franklin Co. Humane Society, Franklin, $2,500.00
The Canine Courier, Gibson, $1,000.00
Grainger Co. Humane Society, Grainger, $2,500.00
A Voice for Pets, Greene, $2,500.00
Greeneville-Greene Co. Humane Society, Greene, $1,000.00
Animal Alliance-South Cumberland, Grundy, $1,000.00
Animal Care Trust, Hamilton, $1,500.00
Humane Educational Society, Hamilton, $1,500.00
Wally's Friends, Hamilton, $1,500.00
Hardeman Co. Humane Society, Hardeman, $2,500.00
City of Savannah, Hardin, $2,500.00
Henderson County Humane Society, Henderson, $2,500.00
Forever Friends Animal Sanctuary, Henry, $2,500.00
Hickman Humane Society, Hickman, $2,500.00
Friends of Animals Jackson Co., Jackson, $2,500.00
Johnson Co. Humane Society, Johnson, $2,500.00
Southern Alliance for Animal Welfare, Lincoln, $1,000.00
2 X 2 Ranch & Refuge, Macon, $1,000.00
Companion Pet Rescue & Transport, Madison, $1,000.00
McNairy Co. Humane Society, McNairy, $2,500.00
Spay/Neuter Assistance for Pets, Monroe, $2,500.00
Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery Co., Montgomery, $2,500.00
Humane Society of Morgan Co., Morgan, $1,000.00
Humane Society of Putnam Co., Putnam, $2,500.00
Humane Society of Roane Co., Roane, $1,000.00
Animal Protection Assn., dba Mid South Spay/Neuter, Shelby, $2,500.00
Smith Co. Humane, Smith, $2,500.00
Tri Cities Regional Animal Coalition, Sullivan, $2,500.00
Union Co. Humane Society, Union, $2,500.00
Humane Society of Warren Co., Warren, $1,000.00
Holly Help Spay-Neuter Fund, Washington, $2,500.00
Red Fern Animal Shelter, Weakley, $1,000.00
White Co. Humane Society, White, $2,500.00
Humane Assn. of Wilson Co., Wilson, $2,500.00
Country K-9 Rescue, Wilson, $1,000.00
Total: $ 96,000.00