Section 996.600  Veterinarian Participation

a)         The sterilization shall be performed by a voluntarily participating veterinarian or veterinary student under supervision of a veterinarian.  (Section 25 of the Act)

b)         Any veterinarian may participate in the program.  A veterinarian shall file with the Department an application/agreement to participate on which the veterinarian shall supply a fee schedule listing the fees charged for dog and cat sterilization, examination, and the pre-surgical immunizations specified in the Act and this Part in the normal course of business.  The dog or cat sterilization fee may vary with the animal's weight, sex, and species.  (Section 30 of the Act)

1)         The veterinarian application/agreement to participate shall be valid for a period not to exceed three years, with expiration coinciding with the end of a State Fiscal Year.

2)         Within three months before expiration of a veterinarian application/agreement to participate, a veterinarian may continue participation in the program by filing a renewal application/agreement to participate.

c)         The Department will maintain a listing of participating veterinarians and will distribute this listing to companion animal owners or feral cat colony managers with an approved application/eligibility voucher.  This listing will include the name, address and phone number of each participating veterinarian.  The listing will also indicate which animal or animals (dogs, domestic cats or feral cats) each participating veterinarian will accept.

d)         The Department will notify all participating veterinarians if the program must be suspended for any period due to a lack of revenue and will also notify all participating veterinarians when the program will resume.  (Section 30 of the Act)  All notifications will be by mail, or by e-mail for veterinarians who have provided the Department with e-mail addresses.

e)         Veterinarians who voluntarily participate in this sterilization and vaccination program may decline to treat feral cats if they choose.  (Section 30 of the Act)

f)         A veterinarian who chooses to terminate participation in the program shall notify the Department in writing of his or her intent to discontinue participation.  The Department will remove that veterinarian's information from the listing of participating veterinarians.