More than 65,000 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are euthanized each year in West Virginia shelters. The cost of spay/neutering continues to climb, and in most parts of our state low-cost spay/neuter programs are NOT available.
The "Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund" bill will INCREASE AN EXISTING FEE for the Pet Food Industry's (PFI) Licensing Fee (already in place and required thru the WV Department of Agriculture).
The Pet Food Industry earned $116,000,000.00 in profits from ONLY dog/cat food in our state last year. Then turned around and paid a lobby group to campaign against a bill that would have raised approximately $100,000. for spay/neutering assistance to low-income pet owners in WV.

Their campaign claimed the bill would create a "pet food tax" (even on livestock feed) which is untrue.

The result? The bill was amended, removing the fee increase and removing the Pet Food Industry from the fee increase stipulations. Instead, the bill was amended to have $50,000. set aside from 'excess budget' funds (ie - TAX PAYER DOLLARS for which many deserving WV groups compete).  Why take taxpayer dollars from other organizations, such as Boyscouts of America, and let the Pet Food Industry walk away with their hands deep in their pockets?

This bill will be re-introduced in 2013 Legislative Session. Please sign the petition to let our Legislators know that we not only want but NEED the "Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund" bill passed with the fee increase to the greedy Pet Food Industry!
(to view the bill as originally submitted click here)

Spay/Neutering isn't just an option, it's a solution!