§ 3815 - Dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid spaying and neutering program - Vermont Statutes

§ 3815. Dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid spaying and neutering program

(a) The agency of agriculture, food and markets shall establish by rule a process by which a qualified organization shall administer a program providing reduced-cost spaying and neutering services and presurgical immunization for dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids owned by low income individuals.

(b) The program shall reimburse veterinarians who voluntarily consent to spay or neuter dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids under the auspices of the program. The reimbursement shall be less any co-payment by the owner of a dog, cat, or wolf-hybrid for the cost of each spaying or neutering procedure.

(c) The agency of agriculture, food and markets is authorized to promulgate an emergency administrative rule by August 1, 2009, the purpose of which shall be that only a dog, cat, or wolf-hybrid acquired for no compensation shall be eligible for funding from the animal spaying and neutering program established under this section. The rule shall provide consideration for the financial ability of the funding applicant to pay for the requested service. For the purposes of this subsection, a nominal fee or donation required for adoption of a dog, cat, or wolf-hybrid shall not constitute compensation paid for the animal. (Added 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 39; amended 2009, No. 54, § 77, eff. June 1, 2009.)