Senator McGuire’s Legislation To Expand Access To Funding For Spay And Neuter Programs

McKinleyville, Ca., (KIEM) Governor Gavin Newsom signs a bill set by Senator McGuire that will expand access to funding for spay and neuter programs. The bill will allow nonprofit animal care, control, and shelter organizations to apply for voluntary state tax check-off funds.

Since 2016, Californians have contributed over $850,000 of their state income tax returns to the prevention of animal homelessness and cruelty.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of animals enter shelters across California.

The Humboldt County Animal Shelter shared that spay and neuter programs are among the most effective methods for reducing animal homelessness and controlling the pet population.

“One of the biggest issues that animal owner’s face is the actual cost to spay and neuter,” said Facilities Manager, Andre Hale. “It’s very expensive. It’s surgery. It’s expensive for the vets to provide that service and for the owner to receive it so any funding that helps offset that cost and to make it more affordable is beneficial. The more spay and neuter that occurs, then there are fewer unwanted pets in the community.”