Lawmaker proposes spay-neuter program

AUGUSTA – A groundbreaking spay-neuter program, given a boost last year when actress Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H fame testified in its favor, would get a second boost if a bill to focus its funding passes this session.

The program itself took effect last July. It is the first spay-neuter program in the country to be supported by a voluntary check-off on state income tax forms.

The state had long supported such programs, but the funding had not kept up with demand for free or reduced-cost pet neutering programs.

This year, Rep. Gerald Davis, R-Falmouth, is sponsoring a measure that would fund administration of the program through fees paid to the state for permits to sell commercial feeds.

The feeds range from horse feed to dog food, and businesses that sell them, such as Wal-Mart, Agway, small feed-and-seed stores and pet stores, are required to have the permits.

Davis said Saturday that half of the fees are now going into the General Fund, while the other half go to the state Department of Agriculture in general. His bill, LD 178, would focus all the fees collected to the Agriculture Department’s Animal Welfare Division.

He did not know the annual total of such fees but guessed that it was in the thousands of dollars. He believes the program can help reduce the staggering numbers of unwanted pets in Maine.

The program itself, which offers a reduced rate for spaying and neutering, is based on a New Hampshire law and it has a two-tiered fee system. A Maine resident pays a fee of $30 to participating veterinarians, but disabled, elderly, unemployed or low-income residents who are eligible to receive assistance such as food stamps or unemployment benefits pay $15. The fee covers an examination, vaccinations and sterilization.

Participating veterinarians are reimbursed for the difference between the fee paid and 80 percent of their bill, but they receive full reimbursement for seniors, disabled or low-income clients.

Although the program is funded through the check-off, the feed fees would offset the $4,000 annual administrative cost of running the program.

A hearing on the funding bill will be held by the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in Room 206 of the Cross State Building.

A second public hearing will be held at the same time, for LD 139, sponsored by Sen. May Andrews, R-York. Andrews said Saturday that the bill would provide for online registration of all licensed dogs and include owners’ names and addresses.

The measure is designed to save municipalities hundreds of dollars in boarding fees when pets are picked up on weekends and must be sheltered until town offices open on Mondays and the information is obtained. “It is also good for the pet to be reunited with its family quickly,” Andrews said.