Animals

Animal Population Control Program

MUNICIPAL POUND PET PROGRAM: The Animal Population Control Program (APCP), implemented on May 22, 1995, was established by Public Act (P.A.) No. 92-187 to provide vaccination and sterilization 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. The APCP has provided benefits to more than 100,000 animals since 1995. For all the details of the program's accomplishments in FY 2018 please view our Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report.

A majority of Connecticut veterinary practices participate in the program. A list of participating practices can be found by downloading the following document: Participating Veterinarian Practices. To join the APCP as a participating practice, please click on the following link, Participating Veterinarian Application and W9 and Vendor Form  (must also be completed), and mail the completed application to the APCP.   

To utilize this program, a Connecticut resident must pay a $45.00 fee at the time of adoption, which entitles the adopter to a vaccination/sterilization voucher good for sixty days.  The voucher provides a one-time sterilization benefit of $50.00 for a male cat, $70.00 for a female cat, $100.00 for a male dog, and $120.00 for a female dog plus two pre-surgical vaccinations coincident with the sterilization. If the veterinarian's normal spay/neuter fees exceed the voucher amount(s), the eligible owner is responsible for the difference. In addition, adopters are required to pay for other services as specified by the veterinarian.  Non-residents may adopt a pound pet and pay a $5.00 municipal fee, but are not eligible for program benefits.  Pets too young or sick may be granted a medical extension by the veterinarian.  However, all young animals must be sterilized by six (6) months of age.  Funding for the APCP comes from an annual surcharge on Connecticut dog licenses ($2.00 sterilized/$6.00 unsterilized), the $45.00 adoption fee, proceeds from the sale of the "Caring for Pets" commemorative license plates and donations.

FERAL CAT GRANT PROGRAM: A program to assist non-profit rescue groups with the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats and administered by the APCP was first established in 2001. Public Act No. 01-87 authorized the commissioner to set aside up to $40,000.00 (forty thousand dollars), within available funds, each fiscal year for that purpose.  In 2007, the funding structure for what is now designated as the Feral Cat Grant Program was changed.  Instead of the $40,000.00 maximum available each year to fund the program,   Public Act No. 07-105, An Act Concerning the Expansion of the Animal Population Control Program, authorizes the commissioner to use up to 10% of the yearly APCP income, within available funding, to assist non-profit rescue groups with the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats. All money expended for this purpose comes entirely from the APCP dedicated account where dog license surcharges account for approximately 68% of its income. No state general fund money is used for the Feral Cat Grant Program. 

Since 2007 the APCP has averaged a 98% compliance rate for benefits issued through non-profit organizations, for the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats. 

Feral Cat Grant Sterilization by Town/County for Fiscal Year 2019.    

The Feral Cat Grant Program for fiscal year 2020 is closed. Questions about the Feral Cat Grant Program application for fiscal year 2021 can be directed to the Animal Population Control Program (APCP) by email (agr.apcp@ct.gov) or by calling 860-713-2507.

FY 2020 Feral Cat Grant Program Recipients

LOW-INCOME PROGRAM: In FY 2007, P.A. No. 07-105 authorized the APCP to set aside up to 10% of APCP income to be used to vaccinate and sterilize pets owned by CT Low-Income residents.  To be eligible for benefits, recipients must be a Connecticut resident and on one of six public assistance programs outlined in C.G.S. Sec. 22-380e and approved by the Department of Social Services.  Once approved, vouchers are then issued by the APCP to low-income recipients for up to two pets.  All vouchers are good for sixty (60) days.  Beginning in FY 2014, P.A. No. 13-99 (effective 7/1/13) increased from 10% to 20% the amount of yearly APCP income that may be used for sterilizing and vaccinating dogs and cats owned by low-income people.

Since 2009, the APCP has averaged a 60% compliance rate for benefits issued to Connecticut Low-Income residents, for the sterilization and vaccination of their dogs and cats. 

Low Income Pet Sterilizations by Town/County for Fiscal Year 2019  

NEW *** Effective January 3, 2020, the Animal Population Control Program (APCP) will not be accepting Low-Income Voucher applications, for the remainder of fiscal year 2020. Please contact the APCP office after August 1, 2020, for the availability of new benefits.