Spay & Neuter Access
Access to affordable spay and neuter services is one of the most important pieces of the animal welfare puzzle.
Across North Carolina, pet owners and animal welfare organizations can face barriers including cost, limited appointment availability, transportation challenges and geographic gaps in services.
NCAAP is examining those barriers—and the programs, policies and funding strategies that could help more North Carolinians access affordable spay and neuter care.
Why Access Matters
When people cannot access affordable spay and neuter services, unintended litters can contribute to increased pressure on families, shelters, rescues and community animal welfare resources.
Why Spay & Neuter Access Is a North Carolina Issue
North Carolina Has a Spay & Neuter Program—So What's Missing?
North Carolina already has a statewide Spay/Neuter Program administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. The program helps reimburse eligible counties and municipalities for the direct cost of spay and neuter procedures provided to qualifying low-income residents.
That's an important resource—but it is not the same as providing every North Carolina pet owner with direct, statewide access to affordable spay and neuter services.
Participation depends on local governments offering qualifying programs, and access can therefore look different from one community to another. Cost is also only one part of the problem. Appointment availability, transportation, distance to veterinary providers and local program capacity can all affect whether a pet owner can actually obtain services.
Understanding where these gaps exist—and how North Carolina could expand effective, sustainable access—is a major focus of NCAAP's research.
The Current NC Program - 2025
5,938 spay/neuter procedures
$659,626 in eligible costs
$250,954 actually reimbursed
North Carolina's program reimburses participating counties and municipalities for eligible spay and neuter costs for qualifying low-income residents. Available funding does not necessarily cover the full amount eligible for reimbursement.
Where You Live
North Carolina's state program operates through participating counties and municipalities rather than providing assistance directly to pet owners statewide. Local governments may use clinics, veterinary contracts or voucher programs, including providers outside their jurisdiction.
What Makes Spay & Neuter Difficult to Access?
Having a spay or neuter program does not necessarily mean that every pet owner can use it. Access depends on several pieces coming together: an affordable price, an available provider, a workable appointment and a way to get the animal there.
Cost
For families with limited incomes, the cost of veterinary care can make spay or neuter surgery difficult to afford. North Carolina's state reimbursement program is specifically limited to dogs and cats owned by people who meet its low-income eligibility requirements.
Appointment & Provider Availability
Even when financial assistance is available, a pet owner still needs a veterinary provider or clinic able to perform the procedure. The state's program allows local governments to contract with private veterinarians and nonprofit clinics, but it does not itself create additional veterinary capacity.
Transportation & Logistics
Affordable care is only useful if people can reach it. Distance, transportation, work schedules and the logistics of getting an animal to and from surgery can create additional hurdles—particularly when the available provider is outside the owner's community.
Access Is More Than Affordability
A successful spay and neuter strategy has to consider both financial access and service access. Reducing the price of surgery addresses one barrier; ensuring that enough services are available and reachable addresses another.
State Funding
The program receives an annual transfer of $250,000 from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services' Animal Feed and Pet Food Branch.
Animal Lovers License Plates
North Carolinians can purchase an Animal Lovers specialty license plate. $20 from each plate is credited to the state's Spay/Neuter Account.
Other Contributions
State law also allows the Spay/Neuter Account to receive appropriations, donations, grants and other funds.
Why Funding Capacity Matters
When eligible reimbursement requests exceed the money available in the Spay/Neuter Account, participating local governments may not receive full reimbursement for eligible costs. In 2025, approximately $659,626 in eligible costs were reported, while approximately $250,954 was reimbursed.
Quick math, thats a $408,672 deficit in funding.
What Is the Current Program Actually Funding?
What Could a Stronger Statewide Approach Look Like?
Expanding spay and neuter access in North Carolina is not simply a matter of creating another program. The state already has one. The question is how North Carolina could build on the existing system to reach more animals and communities while creating a reliable source of funding.
Sustainable Funding
Develop a predictable, long-term funding source that can support spay and neuter services without depending solely on limited annual funding.
Broader Geographic Access
Identify communities where affordable services are limited and explore ways to expand access through local veterinary partners, nonprofit clinics, mobile services and other delivery models.
Adequate Veterinary Capacity
Consider not only the cost of surgery, but whether communities have enough veterinary capacity to provide the services being funded.
Better Data & Coordination
Improve statewide information about program participation, service availability, unmet demand and outcomes so resources can be directed where they are most needed.
NCAAP Is Researching the Options
NCAAP is examining approaches used in other states, potential funding mechanisms and ways North Carolina's existing program could be strengthened. Our goal is to identify practical, sustainable options that expand access while working with—not duplicating—the veterinary, nonprofit and local-government resources already serving North Carolina communities.
How Another State Approached This
North Carolina is not the only state that has developed a public program to help make spay and neuter services more affordable. Looking at programs in other states can help identify approaches that may—or may not—be appropriate for North Carolina.
A Look at New Jersey
New Jersey operates a statewide Animal Population Control Program that provides reduced-cost spay and neuter services to eligible residents through participating veterinary hospitals.
The state helps fund animal population-control programs through its dog-licensing system, including additional fees on licenses for unaltered dogs, as well as other funding sources.
NCAAP is studying New Jersey and other state programs to understand which approaches could potentially strengthen access in North Carolina—including how programs are funded, who qualifies and how services are delivered.
What Is NCAAP Working Toward?
NCAAP's goal is to help develop a practical, sustainable approach to expanding spay and neuter access across North Carolina. That starts with understanding what already exists, where the gaps are and which solutions could make the greatest difference.
Research
Examine North Carolina's current programs, funding, participation and available data to better understand where access gaps exist.
Learn From Other States
Study successful programs and funding models in other states to identify approaches that may be relevant to North Carolina.
Build Partnerships
Engage veterinarians, shelters, rescues, local governments, animal welfare organizations and other stakeholders in developing workable solutions.
Explore Policy Solutions
Evaluate potential funding and policy approaches that could strengthen North Carolina's existing system and expand access to affordable services.
This Work Is Still Developing
NCAAP has not adopted a single predetermined solution. Our work is focused on researching the issue, gathering reliable data, learning from existing programs and engaging stakeholders before advancing specific recommendations.
Need Help Finding Affordable Spay & Neuter Services?
NCAAP's work focuses on improving access across North Carolina, but we know many pet owners need help now.
Low-cost programs vary by location, eligibility and available funding. Your county or municipality, local animal shelter, humane organization or nonprofit spay and neuter clinic may be able to help you identify reduced-cost services in your area.
We are developing additional resources to help North Carolinians find affordable spay and neuter services and understand the programs available to them.
Help Us Expand Access
Creating lasting change will require research, collaboration and a strong network of North Carolinians who believe affordable spay and neuter care should be more accessible.
Follow NCAAP's work, share our resources and help us build solutions that work for North Carolina's animals and communities.