§ 3815. Dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program
(a) The Agency of Human Services shall administer a dog, cat, and wolf-hybrid sexual sterilization program providing reduced-cost sexual sterilization services and presurgical immunization for dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids owned or cared for by individuals with low income. The Agency may implement the program through an agreement with a qualified organization consistent with the applicable administrative rules.
(b) The program shall reimburse veterinarians who voluntarily consent to sexually sterilize dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids under the auspices of the program. The reimbursement shall be less any co-payment by the owner of a dog, cat, or wolf-hybrid for the cost of each sexual sterilization procedure.
(c) The Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the chair of the Vermont Board of Veterinary Medicine, may adopt and amend rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to enable the Agency to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. (Added 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 39; amended 2009, No. 54, § 77, eff. June 1, 2009; 2011, No. 57, § 1; 2021, No. 20, § 210; 2025, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. June 8, 2026.)