The Department of Agriculture is making grants available for animal shelters, rescue groups and other non-profit organizations for spaying and neutering.

Agriculture Director Jon Hagler encourages animal shelters, rescue groups and other non-profit organizations that offer spaying and neutering services to go to mda.mo.gov to apply for I'm Pet Friendly grants.

Agriculture Director Jon Hagler encourages animal shelters, rescue groups and other non-profit organizations that offer spaying and neutering services to go to mda.mo.gov to apply for I’m Pet Friendly grants.

Agriculture Director Jon Hagler says those organizations need help to pay for offering those services.

“We want to encourages shelters all across the state of Missouri to reach out and to get on the website at mda.mo.gov and to apply for the I’m Pet Friendly grant, because it’s up to $2000 for them to offset the cost of those services.”

The deadline to apply for the grants is February 15.

Hagler also encourages Missourians to consider buying an “I’m Pet Friendly” license plate. $20 from every plate sold goes to the Agriculture Department’s Pet Spay & Neuter Fund.

Department of Revenue spokesman Ted Farnen says, “There are currently 752 passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs that currently sport ‘I’m Pet Friendly’ license plates in Missouri.”

The Agriculture Department says the program is expected to top $20,000 in donations this year.