Pet food businesses would fund sterilization help for eligible dogs and cats

The Department would run a program to help pay for sterilization, exams, and vaccinations for eligible dogs and cats. The program covers domestic dogs and cats owned by low-income Virginia residents, and dogs and cats held by a releasing agency or nonprofit group that are not individually owned and were not brought into Virginia from another jurisdiction. The program may spend money only from the Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Fund. The program would begin July 1, 2027. The Department would report each year by April 30 on the program's performance and impact.

The Department would pay participating providers for sterilizations, exams, and vaccinations it approves. These rules apply to veterinarians, releasing agencies, and nonprofit organizations that apply and participate in the program. Only veterinarians licensed in Virginia may perform sterilizations. Providers must apply and document services; the Department would not pay for services it did not approve. Private veterinarians would be paid under their usual fee schedules, within a state-set limit. The Department would set separate rates for releasing agencies and nonprofits, within that limit. Providers would not have to treat both dogs and cats or animals they find medically unfit. Private veterinarians would not have to screen applicants. Providers could charge low-income owners up to $20 per dog or $10 per cat; owners would pay other fees they agree to that the program does not cover. Monthly payments would begin July 1, 2027. The Department would review and adjust payment rates every two years as warranted.

Manufacturers and wholesalers would pay an annual surcharge into the fund. The surcharge would apply to each ton of pet food distributed in Virginia by a manufacturer or wholesaler doing business in the state. Surcharge payments would be the fund's only source of incoming money.