TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:

Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, O.C.G.A. § 4-15-1, notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division will be considering the adoption of an amendment to Departmental Rule 40-13-14-.02 relating to the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program. The Department will be accepting written comments from August 23, 2011, to close of business (4:30 p.m. EDT) on September 23, 2011.

SYNOPSIS, MAIN FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES:

The Dog and Cat Sterilization Program (“DCSP”) aids in controlling the breeding of dogs and cats throughout Georgia by helping pay for dog and cat sterilization procedures performed by Georgia licensed and accredited veterinarians. The DCSP is further helping curb the pet overpopulation statewide by providing educational materials about the benefits of sterilization and promoting the sale of three Dog and Cat Sterilization License Plates.

In hopes of increasing the amount of spay and neuters performed statewide and ease the burden of municipal animal shelters in paying for the spaying and neutering of unwanted and abandoned animals, the Department is proposing to amend Departmental Rule 40-13-14-.02 to allow municipal animal shelters to request a grant from the Department that will provide assistance with sterilization procedures on shelter animals that are to be adopted by private Georgia owners. These funds must not be used to operate sterilization clinics for the public.

In order to be eligible for grant assistance, the proposed rule would require municipal animal shelters to complete a “Grant Application Form” and a “Grant Claim of Payment Form.” Payment for sterilization procedures under the grant assistance program is the same as it is for Georgia veterinarians participating in the program.

The Department will be accepting written comments from August 23, 2011, to close of business (4:30 p.m. EDT) on September 23, 2011. Comments will be considered on September 26, 2011. Please submit written comments to:

Dr. C. Carter Black, State Veterinarian

Georgia Department of Agriculture

19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Room 106

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Telephone: (404) 656-3671

FAX: (404) 657-1357

Interested persons may call or submit a written request to obtain a copy of the proposed rule. You may download a copy of the rules from the section to the right.

This notice is given in accordance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. §50-13-4.