Background:

Dog and cat overpopulation is a tragic problem that affects all areas of Georgia.  Each year thousands of healthy, friendly dogs and cats are euthanized because of pet overpopulation.  In 2003, the Georgia General Assembly created the Dog and Cat Reproductive Sterilization Support Program to help with this problem through the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats using funds raised by the sale of 3 dog and cat license plates.  Since the program’s inception, over 70,000 procedures have been performed by 1,200 veterinarians.   

Purpose:

The purpose of the Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant Program is to provide financial assistance with sterilization procedures.  The Department hopes that grant funds will ease the burden of municipal animal shelters and nonprofit animal rescues and increase the number of dogs and cats sterilized in Georgia.

Program Overview:

Grant applications will be assessed by a grant review committee and funding will be awarded based on the highest priority grant proposals after considering factors such as targeting of important animal populations, ability to increase surgery numbers, cost-benefit ratio, record of grant applicant and sustainability, among others.  Both the animal and municipal animal shelter and nonprofit animal rescue organization must reside in Georgia in order to be eligible for the Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant Program.  Once a grant has been awarded, the recipient must complete a follow-up performance report showing all sterilization procedures performed.  Grant funds may only be used for sterilization surgery and shall not be used for capital or administrative expenses or for procedures not directly related to sterilization surgery, such as promotions, vaccinations, testing, licensing, food, medicine, and/or other medical procedures.

Nonprofit Animal Rescues:

Nonprofit organizations must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.  Nonprofit organizations applying for funds are required to have been in existence for at least 12 months and have 501(c)(3) status at the time of filing the grant application.  Nonprofits must provide a copy of the nonprofit status form 501(c)(3) issued by the Internal Revenue Service. (Do not send a copy of a tax return or a copy of incorporation by the Georgia Secretary of State to fulfill this requirement.) Nonprofit rescues must also provide proof of incorporation by the Georgia Secretary of State

Municipal Animal Shelters:

Municipal animal shelters must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.  Effective July 1, 1999, every county and city within that county is required to adopt a Service Delivery Strategy.  This strategy is an implementation plan among cities and counties to provide local government services and resolve land use conflicts within the county.  These strategies are submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for approval and the DCA is in charge of monitoring compliance.  Because of this law, no state-administered financial assistance can be awarded to a local municipality that is not in compliance.  To determine whether your municipality is in compliance, visit DCA’s website at: http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/PlanningQualityGrowth/programs/servicedelivery.asp  All local municipality applicants verifying eligibility must submit a compliance certification.

Application Submission:

An application may be downloaded from the Department’s website at www.agr.georgia.gov or by clicking here. All applicants must provide a letter of collaboration from a Georgia licensed and accredited veterinarian that will be performing the sterilization procedure and a copy of a current Georgia animal shelter license.  Completed applications are due by no later than the close of business on December 31, 2012.  Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Notification of Awards:

Applicants will be notified in writing of grant decisions by no later than March 1, 2013.  Grantees will be required to sign an agreement and fill out a W-9 before receiving grant funds.

Availability of Funds:

Grant requests should be for no more than $10,000.00 and goals should be achievable within a 12-month period.  Grant funds will be awarded based on availability of funds.  Grant funds may only be used for spay and/or neuter procedures.

State Audit:

Any recipient of a grant made by a state agency shall be subject to audit by the state auditor for the purpose of confirming compliance with state law and the performance of the terms of the grant pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 28-5-125.