Resources & FAQ

Spaying and neutering is the single most effective way to reduce animal overpopulation. One unspayed female dog can produce up to 67,000 descendants in just 6 years. One unspayed cat can produce up to 370,000. When animals are not sterilized, the result is overcrowded shelters and unnecessary euthanasia. In North Carolina alone, over 20,000 animals are euthanized every year.

Costs vary by location, animal size, and veterinarian. On average in NC:

• Cat spay/neuter: $50 to $200
• Dog spay/neuter: $100 to $400 (varies significantly by size)
• Low-cost clinics: $30 to $100 for cats, $50 to $150 for dogs

NC Pet Project vouchers can cover most or all of the cost for qualifying pet owners.

Our voucher program is available to North Carolina residents who demonstrate financial need. You may qualify if you receive Medicaid, SNAP/food stamps, WIC, SSI/SSDI, TANF, or have income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Each household can receive up to 3 vouchers per year.

North Carolina has a state spay/neuter program funded by the "I Care" specialty license plate ($20 per plate goes to the program). The program reimburses counties and municipalities for spay/neuter procedures performed on pets owned by low-income residents. However, the program is severely underfunded: in 2023, it covered only 5,855 procedures statewide. Many counties have long waiting lists or have already exhausted their funding for the year.

Currently, only breeders with 5 or more fertile female dogs who sell more than 30 animals per year must register with the NC Department of Agriculture as a "dealer." This high threshold means most backyard breeders operate without any oversight. There are no facility standards for small-scale breeders beyond basic animal cruelty laws. Multiple reform bills have been introduced but have not passed.

We support three key reforms:

1. Expanded state funding for spay/neuter programs to cover all 100 NC counties
2. Stronger breeder licensing with a lower threshold (2+ litters per year), mandatory facility standards, and a public breeder registry
3. Increased revenue from the "I Care" license plate program and potential general fund allocation

There are several ways to get involved:

• Sign our petition and add your voice to the movement
• Contact your state representative using our easy email tool
• Donate to fund spay/neuter vouchers ($75 covers one cat, $150 covers one dog)
• Volunteer as a county coordinator, event helper, or foster
• Share NC Pet Project with friends and family on social media

We are in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Once approved, all donations will be tax-deductible. We will update this page when our status is confirmed.