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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. VSNIP is now under the management of the VT Economic Services Department and is unable to service the people that are in need of assistance to neuter cats and dogs. The program is not being managed as it was for decades, serving Vermonters and working with the participating veterinary offices. These offices have participated in VSNIP for years, knowing they are the backbone of this important program and have made the difference over the years to end routine euthanasia. They are to be commended. VSNIP works as follows: based on disclosure, the applicant will be approved or denied. If approved a voucher will be sent to be used at one of VSNIP's participating offices. The client will provide the voucher and a co-payment of $27 at this time, which needs to be increased at the least, to $50, only $23 more. The balance of the bill is paid by a $4 fee when registering dogs. VSNIP Rules allow for an increase to the co-payment to help keep the fund sustainable. The voucher and co-payment represent payment in full for the services: the pre-surgical examination, surgery, anesthesia, peri-operative pain medication, discharge of the animal, removal of sutures, one series of distemper vaccinations and one rabies vaccination. Euthanasia is no longer the solution to this once long existing problem of over population. The answer is public access to sterilization and the education of those who provide care for animals. We're happy to report that euthanasia as a routine means of population control has become a solution of the past. This is due to the understanding and efforts of veterinary offices across the state that worked for the last 10 years to neuter animals for those unable to afford this critical procedure through VSNIP. The difference in the lives of thousands of animals and their care providers is measurable, helping assure that no cat or dog animal is euthanized for lack of space in a shelter or the inability to find a good home due to overpopulation. We thank our altruistic veterinarians for making this important program a reality! There has been an ongoing debate between VVSA's administration of VSNIP and the VT Economic Services for nearly a year. Deputy Commission, Miranda Gray, refused to allow a $23.00 increase to help keep VSNIP functional. Her reasoning was that people could not afford it. Before approving vouchers, knowing the funds wouldn't last suffice until the end of this Fiscal Year, nearly 300 applicants were asked if they could afford this minor increase. Every person agreed a $23.00 increase was certainly affordable, pointing out one couldn't go into an office for $50.00, let alone vaccinations and surgery. Windsor County Senator Alison Clarkson agreed to sponsor S.108 and to include fellow senators Joe Major and Becca White to co-sponsor. The bill, fully drafted to update and include the above data was submitted late. We were assured the bill was being worked on by Senator Clarkson. When the bill failed the deadline to go to the House after pass over, the solution would be to attach it to a germane bill already moving. That did not happen. VVSA drafted an amendment to the Rules in a Bill S. 108, presented before two VT Senate Committees in 2025: Agriculture and Appropriations. It increased co-payments to $50, included rabbits, increased registration fee for dogs, the source of funding by $2, and allowed donations, as is already stated in the Rules, but is denied by the state. The fate of the bill was decided before being presented. The outcome was calculated and politics at its worst. During the presentation before Senate Agriculture, three people spoke against its passage. Miranda Gray, Deputy Commissioner, Pamela Krausz, owner of VT-Can! (a low cost spay/neuter clinic whose services are recommended for those unable to use VSNIP) and a veterinarian from VT Agriculture. They coordinated a presentation to oppose the bill that would have helped fund and assure VSNIP would serve those in need. Before the hearing, Sen. Chair Russ Ingalls left the room. Ten minutes later, another senator left the room, leaving 3 of 5 members. Sen. Joe Major, co-chair, read the bill and took testimony from these women that opposed saving VSNIP, for their own various reasons. At the end of the presentation, Major declared because there was no quorum (3 out of 5. Is this not a quorum?) there could not be a vote, the bill could not pass and would "remain on the wall" in the event it was to be taken up next session. At that point, we were then instructed by Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale to speak to Ingalls regarding the future of the bill. Ingalls was the only one, loud, clear and very direct, who said, "this bill is not going to pass - everyone is telling you they support you to your face, but it's not going to happen." Needless to say, his insight was shocking. VVSA has been involved in the passage of 9 bills over the years helping animals. In those years, we've never experienced a pre-ordained, manipulated effort thwarting due diligence of a process of government. Truth, and the necessity of an effort to help Vermonters and animals in need, were ignored. And a group effort. But why? Please continue to stay with us to learn the most recent regarding the demise of VSNIP, what is being done, and what can be done to assure this very important program continues to serve Vermonters, and our extended family members. For an application, dial 1-800-479-6151 or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: VSNIP, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671. 802-760-8833. If this is for a dog, dogs must be licensed at your town office by six months of age, or they can be seized. Registering your dog is proof of a rabies vaccination, protection against rabies. Include the license # on your application. VSNIP is not intended to be used repeatedly, rather is here to help stabilize the number of animals currently in your care as funding is now more limited than before. We will have a page with low-cost spay neuter programs throughout the state. |
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