PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The New York State Department of Agriculture spay/neuter voucher program is designed to provide quality surgical sterilization of you cat or dog at your family veterinarian's office.  The program is available for low income pet owners.  This program is designed to help people afford spaying or neutering of their dog or cat.  Applicants must apply to the state for a voucher for each pet.  Once approved, the state will send you a voucher which entitles you to have your pet spayed or neutered at any participating veterinarian.  The co-pay for low income individuals is $20.00.  If vaccinations are required by the veterinarian at the time of surgery, they can be given at 50% of the normal cost.
                                  If you think you may qualify for
                           the program and would like
                           more information please
                           call 716-937-4588 and
                           we will be happy to assist you.



To be eligible for the low income spay/neuter program, you must participate in one of the following:
  • The State Food Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
  • The State Family Assistance Program
  • The State Program of Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
  • The State Safety Net Assistance Program
  • The Federal Food Stamp Program (Food Stamps)
  • The Federal Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (this program is supplemental to standard Social Security income)
  • The Federal Low income Housing Assistance Program
You must provide proof of participation in one of the above programs in the form of:
  • A statement from the last 30 days of a deposit
  • An award or recertification letter from social services
  • A copy of a check or check stub within the last 30 days
(Please note that photo copies of Medicaid, SSI cards or assistance cards will not be accepted)

Checklist for the NYS Low Income Spay/Neuter Program:
  1. Complete one application for each pet that needs to be spayed or neutered.  For an application please call 716-937-4588.
  2. Make sure that if your pet is a dog, that you fill in the space on the application for the license number (all dogs must be licensed before application is submitted).  Cats do not need to be licensed in New York State.  A current rabies vaccination it required to obtain a dog license.
  3. Attach proof of eligibility (see above) to each application.
  4. Send application(s) to New York State Ag and Markets (address can be found at the top of the application).
  5. Receive a voucher for each pet's surgery within 2-4 weeks.
  6. Contact us to arrange for your pet's surgery.
  7. Have your pet spayed or neutered.  A $20.00 non-refundable co-pay is required prior to scheduling the surgery. You can pay this over the phone with a debit/credit card, pay in person at our office, or mail us a check along with your pet's voucher.  Follow through with all home care instructions from your veterinarian.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I qualify for the NYS Spay/Neuter Program?

To qualify, a pet owner must participate in one of the New York State or Federal Programs listed below:
  • The State Food Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
  • The State Family Assistance Program
  • The State Program of Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
  • The State Safety Net Assistance Program
  • The Federal Food Stamp Program (Food Stamps)
  • The Federal Supplemental Security Income for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (this program is supplemental to standard Social Security income)
  • The Federal Low income Housing Assistance Program
Does Medicare or Social Security qualify for the program?
    Medicare and Social Security are the standard senior programs that all
seniors qualify for.  Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income are programs
that seniors and younger individuals may qualify for based on low income or
disability.  Therefore, receiving Medicare does not qualify for the program.
Medicaid participants do qualify.  Receiving standard Social Security benefits
does not qualify for the program.  Participants in Supplemental Security Income
or disability (SSI) do qualify.  If there are any questions as to whether you may
qualify, please contact NYS Ag and Markets.

Is there a certain income limit that qualifies for the program?
    There are no stated minimum or maximum income requirements for the
program.  However, to be eligible, one must participate in one of the above
programs.  New York State determines eligibility for the qualifying programs
(example: Medicaid).

I have more than one pet.   Is there a limit to the number of pets
that I can apply for?
    No. You may apply for as many pets that you own that need to be
spayed or neutered.  You must fill out a separate application for each pet
and attach a copy of proof of eligibility to each application.

The application states that proof of eligibility must
be attached.  What is that?
    Proof of eligibility can be an award letter or recertification letter from
social services, a copy of a check or check stub within the last 30 days or
a statement from the last 30 days of a deposit.  A photocopy of a social
services card (example: Medicaid) is not considered proof of eligibility.

My dog is not licensed.  Can I still apply?
    All dogs must be licensed to qualify for the program.  A dog
must have a current rabies vaccination in order to be licensed.
A dog license can be obtained from Buffalo City Hall, or
your local village or town clerk.  Write the license number in
the space near the top of the application.  Cats are not required
to be licensed in New York State.

Where do I send the application?
    The completed application and proof of eligibility should be
sent to NYS Ag and Markets.  The address can be found
at the top of the application.

What are my out-of-pocket costs for the surgery?
    The total cost to the pet owner for all related surgical
needs is the $20.00 co-pay.  The pre-surgical examination,
anesthesia, hospitalization, surgery and related drug costs
are included in the program.

Are there any other costs that I will be responsible for?
    We do not require that vaccines be updated for the surgery.
However, if you wish that vaccines be updated for your pet at
the time of surgery, they can be given at 50% of the normal cost.

My pet has other medical problems.  Is the treatment
for those problems covered under the program?
    No.  Only the spay/neuter and related costs are covered
under the program.  Your pet will received a pre-surgical examination.
If other medical problems are identified, we can provide you with a
treatment plan and costs.  The additional costs are the responsibility
of the pet owner.

How long is a spay/neuter voucher valid?
    A voucher is valid for one year after it is issued.

$20.00 sounds too cheap for surgery.  How are
veterinary costs covered/paid under this program?
    This program is funded by a combination of money from NYS,
the veterinarian and the pet owner.  NYS funds it's portion by collecting
a surcharge on all dog licenses for unspayed and unneutered dogs. 
NYS also receives monies from issuing "Love Your Pet" custom license
plates.  A veterinarian has his/her surgical fees approved by NYS.
A veterinarian is paid for a pet's surgery from NYS at the rate of 80%
of the difference between the approved fee minus the $20.00 co-pay.
Overall the costs are divided with the pet owner paying $20.00,
NYS paying about 80% of the approved fee, and the veterinarian
donating about 20% of the approved fee.