Texas Spay and Neuter Grant Program

The Texas Spay and Neuter Program (TXSNP), administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), represents a pilot initiative aimed at safeguarding public health through targeted animal sterilization services. This effort emerges from legislative backing via Senate Bill 1, Rider 32 of the General Appropriations Act during the 89th Legislature, which allocated $13 million over the 2026–2027 biennium. The pilot program is intended to curb unplanned breeding in dogs and cats, a public health concern due to the potential transmission of infectious diseases such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, and parasitic infections. By decreasing the population of unsterilized animals across Texas, the program aims to prevent disease spread and reduce the burden on local animal control systems. Contracts under the TXSNP are awarded through an Open Enrollment (OE) process, meaning applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. The enrollment period opened on January 23, 2026, and will close on May 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time. Contract start dates are determined at the discretion of DSHS upon successful award and may extend through August 31, 2027, with a possible one-year extension based on funding availability. Awards are structured into four tiers based on the projected number of sterilizations and funding need, with annual funding ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year. Payments are issued based on a flat fee per procedure, with rates of $300 per dog spay, $250 per dog neuter, $200 per cat spay, and $125 per cat neuter. Eligible applicants include a broad range of Texas-based entities such as municipal and county shelters, private animal shelters, 501(c) nonprofits, rescue organizations, and veterinary clinics. All applicants must employ or subcontract veterinarians licensed by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners with at least one year of spay/neuter experience and demonstrated capacity to deliver high-volume, cost-effective services. Supporting documentation to this effect is required at the time of submission. Only sterilization services conducted within the 254 Texas counties are eligible for reimbursement under this program. The application process requires submission via email to [email protected]. Required documents include a completed application form, eligibility documentation (Form E), budget proposal (Exhibit E), and license verification for all veterinary personnel. Contractors must also comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly and annual performance metrics submitted via Exhibit D, and monthly invoices submitted to both [email protected] and [email protected]. Final close-out reports are due within 45 days of contract expiration. Evaluation and contract awards are non-competitive and based on eligibility verification and fund availability. Applicants are encouraged to act promptly, as funds will be allocated until exhausted. Contracts are subject to termination if any contractual or legal requirements are violated. The program prioritizes equitable fund distribution between rural and urban regions of Texas to ensure broad access to sterilization services across the state. This opportunity is not to be confused with the Animal Friendly grant program, which has narrower eligibility criteria. For questions, applicants are instructed to contact [email protected]. The Open Enrollment document and instructions are publicly available at the official HHS Open Enrollment website, and a direct PDF of the OE document is linked at the end of this record.

Submit early—funds are first-come, first-serve. Ensure all vet credentials and forms are included or risk disqualification.