|
BEAT THE HEAT! Here a Snip, there a Snip, everywhere a VSNIP in Vermont! The VT Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP) is currently under the administration of the VT Department for Children & Families. VSNIP is a low cost spay neuter assistance program for those on a specific state program or whose income is below 185% of federal poverty level. In seven years, one cat and all her offspring have the potential to multiply to 420,000 offspring! In the same situation, dogs have the potential to multiply to 62,000! Neutering animals helps combat overpopulation and is good for animal health. Our humane society, VT Volunteer Services for Animals, VVSA, started a statewide low cost spay/neuter program in 1984 with a single veterinarian office owned by Dr. Lynn Murrell from So. Woodstock. His visionary, altruistic insight changed the standard solution to the overpopulation problem, weekly euthanasia in our shelters. Over time, VVSA's program grew to include over 70 participating offices. Knowing that our service needed to remain viable and sustainable for years to come, VVSA helped draft legislation in 1995 to create what is now known as VSNIP. The VT Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP), a statewide program, is currently administered by VT Economic Services Department. Income challenged Vermonters can print an application from their website (VSNIP) or call for an application: 802-241-0589 In October 2025, the state began a wait list for vouchers, lacking funds. Vouchers issued for VSNIP are now determined according to the funds appropriated for the program for that fiscal year. When our (VT Volunteer Services for Animals: VVSA) statewide program was moved to the state to assure viability, a $4.00 fee added to the registration of dogs to fund VSNIP. Currently, if there are no available VSNIP vouchers at the time the Department receives an application, the applicant is placed on a waitlist. However, animals can’t wait. Please consider: LOW COST SPAY NEUTER CLINICS IN VT & NH Feline & Friends Foundation 802-323-4793: Schedule on FFFVT.org Community Pet Clinic: Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-923-9028 Feline & Friends Foundation 802-323-4793 Schedule on FFFVT.org Homeward Bound: Addison County Humane Society “Taxi Cat” 802-388-1100 Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society: in West Windsor: 802-484-5829 Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter Orleans: 802-754-2228 Cats only Riverside Rescue, Lunenburg: 802-524-9550 Rutland CTY Humane Society: 802-483-6700; Spay the “Mom” for free, kittens adopted. Second Chance Animal Center: Shaftsbury 802-375-2898 Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc: Littleton, NH 603-259-3244 Springfield Humane Society: Springfield 802-885-3997 Sullivan CTY Humane Society: Claremont, NH 603-542-3277 Upper Valley Humane Society: Enfield NH 603-448-6888 Windham CTY Humane Society: Brattleboro 802-254-2232 VT-CAN: Middlesex 802-223-0034 N.E. Kingdom Spay Neuter Program: Orleans Essex CTY 802-334-7393 ** Community Animal Aid Wellness Clinic: (No surgeries) Exams, vaccinations, parasite treatment, minor illnesses, wounds & injuries. 1X monthly: E. Barre Fire Station 2nd Saturday of the month. 10 AM – Noon[email protected] 802-734-0259 VSA drafted modifications to VSNIP: adding rabbits, slightly increasing the co-payment and the dog registration fee to VSNIP to keep it running. We now know there was never an intention of passing this bill. One senator said, very frankly, “no one was going to support this bill, they were telling us that to our face they would, but would not”. Economic Services Commissioner: Miranda Gray, VT-CAN: Pamela Krauz, owner, and Dept of Agriculture spoke to the Committee objecting to these changes, supported by applicants and VSNIP veterinarians. Our Senators Alison Clarkson, Joe Major and Becca White knew the bill Clarkson “sponsored” was pre-destined to die. Politics at its worst. Hopefully VSNIP will survive. |
|