Animal Population Control Program
Established in 1995, the State of Connecticut Animal Population Control Program (APCP) was created 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 250,000 animals since 1995. For all the details of the program's accomplishments in FY 2022 please view our Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report.
The APCP program is funded by 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. Donations can be sent to: Department of Agriculture, Animal Population Control Program, 450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 702, Hartford, CT 06103, Thank you!
The department conducted a survey by contacting numerous veterinarians around the state to gather sterilization cost information. The Commissioner, using the information provided by the 75 veterinarians who responded to the survey, has established the following reimbursement rates for spay and neuter procedures. An APCP program voucher provides one-time sterilization and vaccination benefits of:
- $80 for a male cat
- $120 for a female cat
- $180 for a male dog
- $200 for a female dog, and
- Up to 2 vaccinations given coincident with the sterilization at $15 dollars for each vaccination for a total of $30
All sterilizations and vaccinations must be done by a participating veterinarian.
Please note: If the veterinarian's spay/neuter fee exceeds the voucher amount, the eligible owner is responsible for the difference. In addition, payment for any additional procedures and/or medications is the responsibility of the pet owner. Non-residents are not eligible for program benefits. Pets too young or sick may be granted a medical extension only by a CT participating veterinarian. All young animals must be sterilized by six (6) months of age.
MUNICIPAL POUND PET PROGRAM:
The Municipal Pound Pet Program provides vaccination and sterilization benefits for any unsterilized dog or cat adopted from a municipal impound facility in Connecticut.
To utilize this program, a Connecticut resident adopting a cat or dog from a municipal pound must pay’s a fee of $45.00 to the municipal pound at the time of adoption. The adopter receives a voucher they can use at a participating veterinary practice to have their adopted dog or cat sterilized and vaccinated. The vaccination/sterilization voucher is valid for sixty (60) days.
PARTICIPATING VETERINARY PRACTICES: A list of CT participating practices can be found by downloading the following document: Participating Veterinary Practices.
To join the APCP as a participating practice, please click on the following links, Participating Veterinarian Application and W9 and Vendor Form. Mail the 3 completed forms to:
Department of Agriculture
Animal Population Control Program
450 Columbus Blvd.
Suite 702
Hartford, CT 06103
or email to: agr.apcp@ct.gov.
FERAL CAT GRANT PROGRAM: The Feral Cat Grant Program assists CT non-profit rescue groups with the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats. The Commissioner may now use up to 20% of the yearly APCP income, within available funding, for this program. Since 2007, the APCP has averaged a 98% compliance rate for benefits issued through CT non-profit organizations, for the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats.
The Feral Cat Grant Program applications for Fiscal Year 2024 are now closed. The Department will be notifying successful applicants with their grant award amount.
Feral Cat Grant Recipients FY 2024
Questions about the Feral Cat Grant Program for the fiscal year 2024 can be directed to the Animal Population Control Program (APCP) by email agr.apcp@ct.gov or by calling 860-713-2507.
Feral Cat Grant Sterilization by Town/County for Fiscal Year 2021
LOW-INCOME PROGRAM: The Low-Income program helps CT residents to vaccinate and sterilize their owned pets. 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 participation is confirmed, vouchers are then issued by the APCP to low-income recipients for up to two pets. The voucher will provide a one-time sterilization benefit of $80 for a male cat, $120 for a female cat, $180 for a male dog and $200 for a female dog.
Please note: If the veterinarian's spay/neuter fee exceeds the voucher amount, the eligible owner is responsible for the difference. In addition, payment for any additional procedures and/or medications is the responsibility of the pet owner. Pets too young or sick may be granted a medical extension only by a CT participating veterinarian.
Low Income Pet Sterilizations by Town/County for Fiscal Year 2021
Due to the overwhelming interest in the Low-Income Pet Sterilization Program, we have reached the maximum number of new applications. The program is now closed.
Questions about the Low Income Program for the fiscal year 2024 can be directed to the Animal Population Control Program (APCP) by email agr.apcp@ct.gov or by calling 860-713-2507.
COMMEMORATIVE LICENSE PLATE: 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 plate, $70 to transfer your present plate and $139 for a new vanity plate. There is also a $15 biennial renewal fee, with $10 from each application going to support program goals. For more information about acquiring a pet plate, go to the DMV web site.
Reissued plates - More than 1,000 previously issued PAW, PET, DOG, CAT, TLC, WAG, WOF, and WUF series plates are now available for the vanity fee of $139. Please contact the vanity plate unit of the Department of Motor Vehicles at (860) 263-5154 for availability.
DOG LICENSE APPLICATION: The Department of Agriculture has created a generic dog license application in English and Spanish, which can be downloaded by clicking on the links below. Please pay special attention to the correct license fee for your dog's gender and if a late fee is applicable. NOTE: This application must be mailed to your Town Clerk.
English Application for Dog License Spanish Application for Dog License
For more information about the municipal pound pet, feral cat, low-income programs, acquiring a "Caring for Pets" plate application or other related spay/neuter information, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Animal Population Control Program, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 702, Hartford, CT 06103 or call 1-860-713-2507 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also send your questions to agr.apcp@ct.gov.