WEST VIRGINIA SPAY NEUTER PROGRAM (WVSNP)
• Program passed in 2013, Rules passed in 2015, Funding passed in 2017.
• WVSNP is a state-wide grant program managed by the WV Department of Agriculture (WVDA).
• WVSNP began awarding grants in 2018 through 2026 totaling $7,372,396.00.
• Funded by annual WVDA pet food registration fees, the WV Spay Neuter Program operates at zero cost to taxpayers. It brings in $450,000 a year—just half of the $900,000 originally requested in 2017 before lobbying cuts.
• Since 2022, a private foundation, acknowledging the State’s effort, added over
$1.3M to WVSNP and $2.7M to ten WV HV/LC Spay Neuter Clinics. This private funding ends in 2027.
• Total spent includes $2.1M contributed by grant recipients from their own funds. See Attachment #4
• 2026 $1.9M requested by grantees $1.2M grant dollars awarded.
• 125,565 WV dogs and cats sterilized in 8 years, each guaranteed to receive a rabies shot.
• WV taxpayers pay an estimated $300 per animal (calculated on 5 day hold) for county shelters to house homeless dogs and cats every year.
• Hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars will be saved by reducing pet overpopulation.
• Dogs can reproduce at age 7 months, cats can reproduce as early as 4 months
• A single year comparison showed that it cost $1,085,640M to euthanize 4,980 animals and $1,005,339M to sterilize 18,186. See Attachment #4
• Lower pet population reduces incidents of cruelty, neglect, human/animal conflicts, compassion fatigue suffered by animal welfare workers, and threats to community health.
• A minimum of $450,000 is requested to avoid the 2027 cliff.
• Driven by a 62% rise in spay neuter cost since 2018, our required funding must increase from $983,237 in 2025 to at a minimum of $1,592,844 within seven years to sustain current procedure volumes.
• Spay Neuter is the cost-effective solution to West Virginia’s pet overpopulation!

Used with permission from FOHO WV