The bill establishes the "county dog and cat spay and neuter subaccount" within the existing animal welfare program fund, aimed at providing financial support for spaying and neutering services for individual dog and cat owners. It amends current law to create a nonreverting fund that will consist of appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations, which will be administered by the Department of Finance and Administration. The bill specifies that funds from this subaccount can only be used by counties to contract with licensed veterinarians to provide these services, thereby enhancing the overall welfare of domestic animals.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $2,000,000 from the general fund to the newly created subaccount for use in fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years. This funding is designated specifically for spay and neuter services, and any unspent balance at the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the general fund, ensuring that the funds remain available for their intended purpose. The bill aims to improve animal welfare by reducing the population of stray and unwanted animals through effective spay and neuter programs.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 77-1-21, 77-1-22