February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month! Whether you’re a proud pet parent or just a fan of four-legged friends, this is a great time of year to focus on the wellbeing of these beloved animals.
This month, CDFA is highlighting the Pet Lovers Spay and Neuter Grant Program, which helps keep California’s pet population healthy and manageable.
How does the program work?
Funding for these grants doesn’t come from regular taxes. Instead, the program is powered by everyday people, just like you:
- Pet Lovers license plates: When Californians buy or renew a special “Pet Lovers” license plate from the DMV, a portion of that fee goes directly to the program.
- Tax returns: Californians can also choose to donate to the “Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Fund” (Code 431) when they file their yearly taxes.
CDFA then awards this money to local cities, towns, and non-profits, which use the funds to provide low-cost, or no-cost spay and neuter services.
Big results help small pets
From 2023 to 2025, the program has averaged about $394,000 annually to support spay and neuter services. Now in its eighth year, the program has supported over 40,000 animal spay/neuter operations for pets, shelter adoptions, and Feral Cat/Trap-Neuter-Return programs.
The program helps reduce animal overpopulation by preventing unplanned litters. This means fewer animals end up in crowded shelters, and more pets can find “forever homes.”