Successful Programs

Here are examples of a few of state legislation programs around the country.

New Hampshire

In 1993, the New Hampshire legislature passed two state funded spay/neuter assistance programs: one subsidizes animal sterilizaton at shelters, and the other neuters the pets of low-income residents for a $15 co-pay. In the first seven years almost 30,000 surgeries were done and 37,210 fewer dogs entered shelters. At an average impound cost of $105, the state saved $3,907,050. The program spent only $1,236,817 so every $1 spent on spay/neuter in those 7 years saved $3.15 in reduced impound cost. To learn more, please read this article Chain of Collars about how the citizens of New Hampshire got their law in place.

Maine

In July 2004, the state of Maine implemented a state funded, low income spay/neuter program. The result of six years of work by SpayMaine, a small group of woman with no money and little legislative experience. Sharon Secovich, one of the Spay Maine core people shares her wisdom. Here is the Spay Maine timeline (PDF), and the law that resulted from their efforts.

New Jersey

In 1983, New Jersey passed this population growth legislation.

Delaware

2006 Animal population control program.

North Carolina
Private, Non-Profit Group

Humane Alliance (www.humanealliance.org)is a non profit group dedicated to reducing companion animal euthanasia; opened a low cost spay/neuter clinic in 1994 and now local shelter euthanasia is down by 70%.