New Hampshire Program Summary
HISTORY: Two state-funded neutering assistance programs were established by the New Hampshire Legislature in 1993. They began operating on July 1, 1994. Both were modeled after programs established by the New Jersey Legislature in the mid 1980s.
SHELTER ADOPTERS' PROGRAM: New Hampshire residents who adopt a cat or dog from a local shelter can have the animal sterilized for a fee of $30, which covers the cost of surgery and all post-surgical care, such as suture removal. The program pays the rest of the neutering cost. The pet caretaker remains responsible for all other costs, such as any necessary pre-surgical immunizations and the pre-surgical examination.
LOW-INCOME PROGRAM: This program is available to all New Hampshire cat or dog caretakers who are eligible for Medicaid or Food Stamps or one of five other public assistance programs. The only cost to them is a $15 co-payment for the sterilization. The program pays the rest of the veterinarian's fee for the surgery and related expenses, including any necessary pre-surgical immunizations.
PROGRAM DESIGN: All services are provided by licensed veterinarians in their own hospitals and clinics. Vets who participate in the program agree to accept a 20% reduction of their customary neutering fee. About three-quarters of all the state's veterinarians have joined the program. The State Veterinarian sets a maximum neutering fee each year based on the customary fees of all the veterinarians who participate in the program. In 2001, these caps ranged from $48 to sterilize a male cat to $130.40 for a female dog over 75 pounds.
REVENUE: All funding for the program is derived from a $2 surcharge on dog licenses. About 130,000 dogs are licensed in the state each year, generating revenue of about $260,000. These funds are maintained by the State Treasurer in a separate account which is dedicated for the sole use of the program.
PROGRAM STATISTICS: Over the first seven years, 29,658 surgeries were performed through the program at a cost of $1,236,817. The average subsidy paid by the program in FY '01 was $55.29.
Things to Consider in Designing a Program
Veterinary support and participation is critical to broad accessibility. If compensation is reasonable, most vets will participate.
All programs should include a low-income component to maximize the number of effective neuters. This saves the most lives and money.
The most effective revenue source for a neutering assistance program is an increased license differential because it provides an additional incentive to neuter animals.
How STOP's Program in New Hampshire Saves Money for the State Government
During the first seven years of our neutering programs, 37,210 fewer cats and dogs entered New Hampshire shelters than in the seven years before that. At an average cost of $105 to impound and shelter each animal, the savings on that alone totaled $3,907,050. And the programs have spent only $1,236,817. So every dollar spent on the program its first seven years has saved $3.15 in reduced impoundment costs so far.
The total yearly cost of the New Hampshire low-income program has been less than 15 cents per resident. Taking into account the low poverty rate here and the modest cost of living, comparable programs could be established in any part of the country for about 30 cents per person each year.
Animal control, impoundment, and sheltering expenses cost taxpayers about $3 per person every year, so a targeted neutering program can be established by increasing the local animal control budget by about 10 percent or by reallocating a small fraction of the money now spent on impounding and sheltering.
Effective neutering programs save money while saving lives.
