Dog, Cat, and Wolf-Hybrid Spaying and Neutering Program and Fund

V.S.A. tit. 20, ch. 193, subch. 6

in effect

20 V.S.A. § 3814 Findings

3814. Findings The General Assembly finds: (1) The supply of dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids in Vermont is a major concern. (2) There are insufficient resources in this State to care for or provide homes for these animals. (3) Many of these animals are ultimately euthanized or become victims of accidents, starvation, or disease. (4) Pet owners who have limited economic resources have great difficulty affording the cost of professional sexual sterilization services. Added 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 39; amended 2025, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. June 8, 2026.

20 V.S.A. § 3815 Dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program

3815. Dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program (a) The Agency of Human Services shall administer a dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program providing reduced-cost sexual sterilization services and presurgical immunization for dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids owned or cared for by individuals with low income. The Agency may implement the program through an agreement with a qualified organization consistent with the applicable administrative rules. (b) The program shall reimburse veterinarians who voluntarily consent to sexually sterilize 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 sexual sterilization procedure. (c) The Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the chair of the Vermont Board of Veterinary Medicine, may adopt and amend rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to enable the Agency to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. Added 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 39; amended 2009, No. 54, § 77, eff. June 1, 2009; 2011, No. 57, § 1; 2021, No. 20, § 210; 2025, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. June 8, 2026.

20 V.S.A. § 3816 Animal sexual sterilization fund; creation

3816. Animal sexual sterilization fund; creation (a) There is created, pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, in the Agency of Human Services the Dog, Cat, and Wolf-Hybrid Sexual Sterilization Special Fund to finance the costs of the dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program established in section 3815 of this title. (b) Revenue for the Fund shall be derived from: (1) the surcharge payment paid to a municipality pursuant to subdivision 3581(c)(1) of this title; (2) gifts from private donors; and (3) any appropriation that the General Assembly makes to the Fund. (c) Interest earned on the Fund shall be retained in the Fund. (d) The Agency of Human Services shall use the revenue in the Fund created in subsection (a) of this section for administering the dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program. Added 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 39; amended 2011, No. 3, § 86, eff. Feb. 17, 2011; 2011, No. 57, § 2; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 404, eff. July 1, 2022; 2025, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 8, 2026.

20 V.S.A. § 3817 Rules; adoption authority

3817. Rules; adoption authority The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets may adopt rules to implement this subchapter. Added 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 39.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/20/193Fetched: 10/21/2026