July 13, 2012

Fenton's BARC Group Receives $2,000 Grant for Spay and Neuter Services

The Missouri Department of Agriculture recognized Fenton's BARC organization for their efforts to provide low cost spay and neuter services in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler presented Lynne Hilderbrand of BARC a $2,000 grant from the Missouri Pet Spay and Neuter program.

"Missouri's animal care organizations efforts to reduce pet overpopulation are very important to our hometown communities," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "By focusing on animal shelters and low-cost spay neuter initiatives, including charitable organizations, we are making a difference for animals that may have otherwise gone without this veterinary care."

BARC was one of 10 Missouri organizations awarded a grant for $2,000 to aid their efforts to provide spay and neuter services to low income individuals and to subsidize the cost of operations for adoptions at local animal shelters and rescue groups. The group, which was founded in 2003, provided low-income pet owners assistance with spaying and neutering more than 400 dogs and cats in 2011.

The Pet Spay and Neuter program is funded through sales of the "I'm Pet Friendly" license plates through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Each sale of the plate donates $20 to the Missouri Pet Spay & Neuter Fund, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Applications for grant funds are accepted each winter.

For more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit mda.mo.gov.


Note: Photos are available online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/moagriculture/sets/72157630557250940/.