The Missouri Department of Agriculture today recognized Independence Animal Services for their efforts to provide low cost spay and neuter services pet owners in Jackson County. Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler presented Jennifer Polston of Independence Animal Services 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."

Independence Animal Services 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. In the last three years, the group has helped low-income pet owners spay and neuter nearly 1800 dogs and cats. They also launched Operation Litter Less, which has provided spay and neuter services for an additional 300 dogs and cats.

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.