Resources & FAQ

Spaying and neutering is the single most effective way to reduce animal overpopulation. An unspayed female can have litter after litter, and her offspring soon have litters of their own. When animals are not sterilized, the result is overcrowded shelters and unnecessary euthanasia. In 2025, North Carolina public shelters euthanized 39,202 dogs and cats, 26.0% of the 150,784 they took in (NC DACS).

Costs vary by location, animal size, and veterinarian. Typical figures:

• Dogs in NC, statewide average: about $426 to spay and $459 to neuter (CareCredit, 2025). Large dogs cost more.
• Cats at a private vet: about $300 to $400 to spay and $200 to $300 to neuter, national figures (MetLife Pet Insurance, 2025)
• Nonprofit and low-cost clinics: much less. The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in Asheville charges $35 for a male cat, $50 for a female cat and $65 for a dog (ASPCA).

For a full breakdown, see our NC spay/neuter cost guide. To see what exists near you, browse our county-by-county directory of the low-cost providers we could confirm.

No. NC Pet Project does not run its own voucher program, and we don't plan to start one where good programs already exist. We point you to the programs that already help, and we keep track of the counties that have no low-cost option at all. These programs can help today:

• The NC Spay/Neuter Program, run by the NC Department of Agriculture, reimburses participating counties and cities for surgeries for low-income residents. Ask your county animal services whether it takes part (NCDA&CS).
• County and nonprofit clinics listed in our county-by-county directory
• Our Get Help zip code finder for low-cost options near you

North Carolina has a state spay/neuter program funded by the Animal Lovers "I Care" specialty license plate ($20 per plate goes to the program) plus a state appropriation (G.S. 19A-62). 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 2025 it covered 5,938 procedures statewide and could reimburse only 38% of eligible county requests, $250,954 against $659,626 (NC DACS).

The only North Carolina license that reaches breeders is the dealer license, for people who sell dogs or cats to pet shops, other dealers or research facilities. Anyone breeding the offspring of five or fewer females a year is exempt (G.S. 19A-23), and breeders who sell directly to the public need no state license at all. This 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 are asking lawmakers for four things:

1. Steady spay/neuter funding: a self-sustaining fund from a pet food registration fee, following Maryland's model, so the state program pays counties in full
2. A larger state appropriation for spay/neuter programs in the meantime
3. Complete, on-time shelter data: every public shelter filing its yearly report by March 1, as G.S. 19A-65 already requires
4. Stronger breeder oversight to stop puppy mills and reduce shelter intake

The About page explains each one, and you can sign the petition.

No. Nothing in the petition requires anyone to spay or neuter a pet, and nothing in it bans breeding. The state program it funds is voluntary. It helps pay for surgery for low-income owners who ask for it.

The petition does ask the state to license breeders who sell puppies and kittens directly to the public, with basic care standards and inspections, the way pet shops and boarding kennels are licensed today. That is about how animals are kept, not whether people can breed them. More on breeder licensing.

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
• Volunteer as a county champion, event helper, or foster
• Share NC Pet Project with friends and family on social media

Not yet. NC Pet Project is just getting started and is not accepting donations at this time. The best ways to help right now are to sign the petition, contact your legislators, volunteer, and share our work.