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Program Details | Bill Text | Legislative History
Sales Data | Comments
STATUS: AVAILABLE
Signed into law 1997
Please send us up-to-date information if you are working on, or have additional information about this program.
GET THE PLATES
Animal Population Control License Plates "are randomly assigned number-letter plates available in the passenger, combination, commercial, camper, camp trailer and handicapped registration types. These plates are obtained when registering a new vehicle or transferring from a current registration. "What better way to promote and support the program than by getting the plates and advertising them on your own car! Applications for Animal Friendly license plates can be obtained at your local Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Plate requests can also be made using an online form or by calling 800-842-8222. Standard plates cost $50
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Collaborate and communicate with others working on AFLP around the nation and in Connecticut.
Connecticut also has promotional window decals (in the design of the license plates) directing the public to www.dmvct.org to purchase the plates.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Slogan: "Caring for Pets"
Design: The plate design was created and donated by Connecticut artists Mark Maglio of Plainville and Kathy Goff of Avon.
Fee: One Time: $50, plus regular fee (bi-annual renewal: $15, plus regular fee)
Amount to Spay-Neuter: One Time: $35 (bi-annualrenewal: $10)
Amount to Administrative Costs: One Time: DMV- $15 (bi-annual renewal: $5)
Fund: animal population control program account established under section 22-380g of the general statutes
Text of Animal Population Control Program Law: Substitute Senate Bill No. 1011 Public Act No. 01-87
Fund Administrator:
Fund Disbursement:
BILL TEXT
PUBLIC ACT NO. 97-187
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL PROGRAM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 22-380f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof: No pound shall sell or give away any unspayed or unneutered dog or cat to any person unless such pound receives forty-five dollars, of which [thirty-five] TWENTY dollars may be refunded pursuant to this section, from the person buying or adopting such dog or cat. [provided such payment] A NONREFUNDABLE PAYMENT OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS shall [not] be required for the purchase or adoption of any [such] UNSPAYED OR UNNEUTERED dog or cat by a bona fide animal rescue or adoption organization or any representative of any such organization.
Funds received pursuant to this section shall be paid monthly by the pound into the animal population control account established under section 22-380g. At the time of receipt of such payment, the pound shall provide a certificate to the person buying or adopting such dog or cat. Such certificate shall be on a form provided by the commissioner. If such certificate is returned to the commissioner within thirty days of the adoption or purchase of the dog or cat and is signed by a licensed veterinarian, stating that such dog or cat has been spayed or neutered and specifying the date on which the operation was performed or that such dog or cat is medically unfit for such surgery, the commissioner shall refund [thirty-five] TWENTY dollars to the person who purchased or adopted the animal. If such certificate is not returned to the commissioner because the person who purchased or adopted the dog or cat failed to have such dog or cat spayed or neutered, the payment shall be considered forfeited and shall be retained in the animal population control account established pursuant to section 22-380g. In the case of any dog or cat which is temporarily unfit for surgery or a dog or cat under the age of six months, such certificate shall specify a date by which such dog or cat may be fit for such surgery and the person who purchased or adopted such dog or cat shall have thirty days from that date to return the certificate for the refund provided for in this section.
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 22-359 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:
(a) The commissioner may make such orders for the adequate confinement, control or destruction of any dog, cat or other animal as he deems necessary to prevent the spread of rabies and to protect the public therefrom PROVIDED, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 22-358, A LOCAL DIRECTOR OF HEALTH MAY ORDER THE DESTRUCTION OF ANY UNOWNED ANIMAL WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY VACCINATED FOR RABIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF RABIES TESTING IF THE DIRECTOR FINDS THAT THE ANIMAL HAS BITTEN A PERSON AND THE HEALTH OR LIFE OF SUCH PERSON MAY BE THREATENED. Any person who fails to comply with any order made under the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. The commissioner, the chief canine control officer, any canine control officer or any municipal animal control officer may quarantine any animal in a public pound, veterinary hospital, kennel or other building or enclosure approved by the commissioner for such purpose, if in the determination of the commissioner or such officer, such animal is rabid or is suspected of being rabid, or has been bitten by, or may have been bitten by, or has been in contact with or exposed to, a rabid animal or an animal suspected of carrying rabies or any wild animal as defined in subsection (d) of this section. The length of such quarantine period shall be determined by the commissioner or the state veterinarian who shall take into account the age, general health and vaccination history of the animal as well as current accepted veterinary practices. Any suspected or confirmed case of rabies shall be reported to the commissioner by a local director of health or board of health or any veterinarian within twenty-four hours of receipt of such information.
Sec. 3. (NEW)
(a) On and after the effective date of the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue animal population control program commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of pet overpopulation and the state's effort to provide for the low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized dogs and cats adopted from municipal pounds. Said design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use may be made of such plates except as official motor vehicle registration marker plates.
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, which provide for a one-time fee of fifty dollars to be charged for animal population control program commemorative number plates in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such one-time fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for administrative costs of carrying out the provisions of this subsection. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49 of the general statutes, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section; and (2) such number plates which are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160 of the general statutes, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section.
(c) The biennial renewal fee for the registration certificate of a motor vehicle for which an animal population control program commemorative number plate has been issued shall include, in each renewal year subsequent to the year of issuance, an animal population control program commemorative number plate fee in the amount of fifteen dollars, of which five dollars shall be allocated for administrative costs to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which shall be in addition to the fee for the renewal of the registration certificate. No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing animal population control program commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for animal population control program commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No additional fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with animal population control program commemorative number plates
(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to establish procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of animal population control program commemorative number plates
(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall notify eligible motorists of the opportunity to obtain animal population control program commemorative number plates by including a notice with all motor vehicle registration renewals and by posting appropriate posters or signs in all division facilities and offices. The notices, posters and signs shall be designed by the Commissioner of Agriculture in consultation with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
(f) All fees established and collected pursuant to this section other than those moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the animal population control program account established under section 22-380g of the general statutes.
Sec. 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 1997.
Approved June 26, 1997
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Bill Sponsor(s):
Supporting Organization(s):
Background:
SALES DATA
According to the director of the Animal Population Control Program, total funds raised to date are estimated at between $250,000 and $275,000 (details will be made available in approximately May 2003.)
COMMENTS
The Animal Population Control Program (APCP) was created by law in 1992 and implemented on May 22, 1995, to provide sterilization and vaccination benefits for any unsterilized dog or cat adopted from a municipal impound facility in Connecticut. Program goals are to reduce pet overpopulation, reduce the spread of rabies and other diseases through immunizations and subsequently increase the effectiveness of local Animal Control Departments through education and law enforcement.
To utilize this Program, a Connecticut resident must place a $45 deposit with an impound facility at the time of adoption. If the animal is taken to a participating veterinarian within 30 days, the APCP pays for the sterilization, two presurgical vaccinations and refunds $20 to the adopter. Nonresidents may adopt, but are not eligible for benefits. Pets that are too young or sick are granted a medical extension by the veterinarian, however, all young animals must be sterilized by six months of age. The final cost to the adopter is $25. Any certificate which exceeds 30 days becomes void and all benefits are forfeited including the refund.
The major source of revenue originates from a $6.00 surcharge placed on all unsterilized dog licenses. The APCP also receives monies from the $25 differential ($45 deposit minus the $20 refund), forfeited deposits and donations.
On November 25, l998, the new "Caring for Pets" commemorative license plate was unveiled to the public. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each plate is deposited into the Program's dedicated account. The plate design was created and donated by Connecticut artists Mark Maglio of Plainville and Kathy Goff of Avon. Plate fees are $50 for an off the shelf number plate, $70 to transfer your present plate and $135 for a new vanity plate. There will also be a $15 biennial renewal fee, with $10 from each application going to support Program goals.
The APCP has vaccinated and sterilized thousands of pound pets since 1995. Most veterinary practices in the state are certified to participate in the program. Many rescue groups, known as "certified bonafide organizations", are also available to help with pound adoptions.
Effective March 1, 2000, the Animal Population Control Program was temporarily suspended until further notice due to depleted funds according to Connecticut General Statute Section 22-380(d). No vaccination/sterilization benefits will be available from any municipal impound facility after this date. The Department of Agriculture is working to renew the program in 2001.
For more information about the program, acquiring a "Caring for Pets" plate application or other available spay/neuter information, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Animal Population Control Program, 765 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 or call 1-860-713-2507 between 8:00a.m. and 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday.
Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc.
Post Office Box 9294, Reston, VA 20195