Animal shelters across North Carolina are over capacity. Rescue groups are full. And euthanasia rates are on the rise again.

The number one reason is pet overpopulation.

The only long-term, humane solution is prevention. That means spay and neuter services, but access to those services is out of reach for many North Carolinians.

Right now, the state sets aside just $250,000 a year for its spay and neuter reimbursement program, which counties can use to help low-income residents fix their pets. The demand for this funding far exceeds the supply, and shelters are paying the price.

We are calling on the North Carolina General Assembly to:

• Significantly increase annual funding for the state’s spay and neuter reimbursement program
• Ensure that every county has access to affordable or no-cost services for qualifying residents
• Prioritize prevention as a proven, cost-effective strategy to reduce intake and euthanasia rates in public shelters

This is not just an animal welfare issue. It is a public health, fiscal, and community issue. When spay and neuter is accessible, fewer animals end up in shelters. That means fewer taxpayer dollars spent on emergency housing, fewer animals at risk of euthanasia, and more resources available for animals who truly need them.

Groups like Saving Grace Rescue in Wake Forest are doing their part, saving over 50,000 dogs since 2001, all spayed or neutered before adoption. But rescues cannot fix this crisis alone. We need state lawmakers to step up and fund the front line of prevention.

Sign this petition if you believe North Carolina must increase spay and neuter funding to address shelter overcrowding and reduce euthanasia statewide.