Subject 40-13-14 DOG AND CAT STERILIZATION PROGRAM
Rule 40-13-14-.01 Eligibility
| (1) | The Georgia Department of Agriculture may decide, in its discretion, to collaborate with veterinarians to host events providing sterilization procedures in chosen geographic areas. |
| (2) | A veterinarian that performs a sterilization procedure utilizing funds from the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program must be licensed by the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine. |
| (3) | If a veterinarian intends to seek financial assistance from the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program to perform a sterilization procedure, the veterinarian must request financial assistance in writing or electronic mail from the Georgia Department of Agriculture prior to performing the procedure. If funds are available, the veterinarian will receive written approval from the Department prior to performing each procedure. |
| (4) | The veterinarian must perform all surgical procedures for which they receive financial assistance from the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program using acceptable standards of care as prescribed by the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines. |
| (5) | Both the animal and owner must reside in Georgia in order for the veterinarian to qualify to perform a sterilization procedure utilizing financial assistance from the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program. |
Rule 40-13-14-.02 Distribution of Dog and Cat Sterilization Funds to Veterinarian
| (1) | The number of sterilization procedures for which veterinarians may apply for financial assistance from the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program will not be limited, provided that the Georgia Department of Agriculture will not be obligated to provide financial assistance for any sterilization procedure for which funding under the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program is not available. |
| (2) | The Georgia Department of Agriculture may, in its discretion, collaborate with veterinarians to host events providing sterilization procedures in chosen geographic areas, for which eligible veterinarians may receive financial assistance for performance of sterilization procedures otherwise approved in accordance with this Rule. Veterinarian participation in, and performance of sterilization procedures at, these events shall be at the discretion of and on the terms proscribed by the Department. |
| (3) | The veterinarian must inform the owner or agent in writing of any additional procedures with additional charges, including but not limited to vaccinations, laboratory services, or pain medication, prior to performing additional services. The veterinarian performing a sterilization procedure for which they will receive financial assistance pursuant to the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program must inform the owner or agent of the animal in writing of the non-subsidized part of the sterilization fee for which the owner or agent shall be responsible. |
| (4) | The following
forms must be received by the Georgia Department of Agriculture prior to any
disbursement of financial assistance for approved sterilization procedures.
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| (5) | Financial assistance for specific sterilization procedures shall be set by the Georgia Department of Agriculture annually and will reflect the average cost of such procedures as determined by the Georgia Department of Agriculture on an annual basis. The Georgia Department of Agriculture will make this determination on July 1st of each year. |
Rule 40-13-14-.03 Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant Program
| (1) | When funds are available, licensed municipal animal shelters located in Georgia, licensed nonprofit animal rescue organizations with 501(c)(3) status located in Georgia, and veterinary medical foundations with 501(c)(3) status located in Georgia may apply to the Department for a grant to assist with sterilization procedures on dogs and cats. |
| (2) | A completed application must be timely received by the Department in order for an applicant to be eligible for financial assistance through the grant program. Incomplete and/or untimely applications will not be considered. |
| (3) | Along with the completed grant application, the grant applicant must provide a letter of collaboration from the Georgia licensed veterinarian(s) that will be performing the sterilization procedure(s). |
| (4) | Grant applications will be assessed by a grant review committee. Funding will be awarded based on the highest priority grant proposals. The grant review committee will consider factors, including, but not limited to, the following: targeting of important animal populations, ability to increase surgery numbers, cost-benefit ratio, record of grant applicant, and sustainability. |
| (5) | All procedures shall be completed within twelve (12) months of receipt of Grant funds. |
| (6) | A Final Progress Report shall be provided to the Department showing all sterilization procedures performed within 30 days of the completion of the last sterilization procedure utilizing Grant funds. Failure to submit the required Final Progress Report in a timely manner will result in ineligibility for future Grants. |
| (7) | Grant funds shall only be used for sterilization surgery. Grant funds 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, etc. |
| (8) | The veterinarian that performs a sterilization procedure utilizing the Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant Program funds must be licensed by the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine. |
| (9) | The veterinarian must perform all surgical sterilization procedures using acceptable standards of care as prescribed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines. |
| (10) | The Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant Program funds shall not be used to assist with sterilization procedures on dogs and/or cats residing outside of Georgia, animals to be transferred out of the State of Georgia by the grant recipient, or for trap, neuter and release programs. |
| (11) | Grant announcements and application directions will be made available by the Department one week prior to the commencement of the Grant application period. Applications will be due as designated by the Department. |