Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper Announces Nearly $1.2 Million in DCSP Awards

ATLANTA, GA — Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced that the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has awarded 103 grants totaling $1.15 million through the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program (DCSP). The grants support licensed animal rescues, local government animal shelters, and veterinary medical foundations providing low-cost spay and neuter services across Georgia.

“For more than 20 years, GDA’s DCSP has focused on making low or no-cost spay and neuter services available in communities across the state to help more Georgia families give their pets the care they need,” said Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “We are proud to make record investment in the program this year, I encourage Georgians to be responsible pet owners and take advantage of this excellent resource.”
 
In 2024, organizations funded through the DCSP program performed over 8,600 spay and neuter procedures across Georgia. With 2026 grant awards increasing by nearly 44% compared with 2024, GDA aims to build on this impact, expanding access to affordable spay and neuter services and helping even more pet owners find care in their communities.

Funding for the DCSP comes from the sale of dog and cat specialty license plates, contributions made through Georgia tax returns, and through online donations made directly to the DCSP fund. For a complete list of 2026 grant recipients, visit https://agr.georgia.gov/dog-and-cat-sterilization-program-dcsp.