The Mary Jessica Fund - Spay and Neuter Program  Background Introduced in April 2006, the Mary Jessica Fund is a financial assistance program designed to help defray the cost of spay and neuter of Luna County, New Mexico pets. The purpose of the Fund is to lessen Luna County’s unwanted pet population by offering vouchers to lower income cat and dog owners for an amount off the cost of sterilization their pets. Vouchers are unavailable for feral cats and other domesticated animal species. The Fund is titled in honor of the later Mary Jessica Baker Truesdale who was a lifelong resident of Luna County. Although recognized as an education and an outstanding musician, Mary Jessica is most remembered for her love of animals. She served as a member of the Deming-Luna County Humane Society’s Board of Directors until the time of her death. Eligibility Requirements The Mary Jessica Fund is available to: full-time Luna County, New Mexico residents who have resided in Luna County for a minimum of 30 days; and are age 18 years or greater; and are citizens of the United States, and meet the financial income levels established by the Deming-Luna County Humane Society. Additionally, the Deming-Luna County Humane Society requires that all dogs and cats that benefit from the program have a current rabies vaccination. A current Deming, New Mexico or Lima County, New Mexico license is also required for dogs. Voucher Value Vouchers are typically valued at $50.00 each. However, voucher value and availability are subject to change at any time, with our without prior notice, based upon the availability of program funding. Please call the Deming Animal Shelter for current information. Also, eligible applicants may typically receive multiple vouchers if they own more than one pet to be spayed or neutered. However, as with voucher value, this is subject to change based upon funding availability. Voucher Expiration Mary Jessica Fund vouchers are valid for a period of 60 days from date of issue. Should a recipient have special circumstances that prevents him or her from utilizing the voucher on a timely basis, he or she may request an extension of up to 30 days by contacting the Deming Animal Shelter. If the recipient is unable to have his or her pet spayed or neutered during the 30-day extension period, no further extensions will be available. However, the recipient is welcome to reapply for another voucher at a later date. Application Process Application forms are available at the Deming Animal Shelter and on-line at the Shelter‘s website www.deminganimalshelter.com. In addition to completing the Mary Jessica Fund application form, applicants are asked to bring the following documentation with them to our shelter: Identification - a photo identification card such as a New Mexico drivers license is preferred Proof of Residency - a rent receipt, utility bill or other recent correspondence that reflects the applicant’s current Luna County address Verification of Income - a current income tax return or recent pay stubs, documentation of Social Security and/or SSI benefits, unemployment benefits, pensions and annuities, public assistance and other current income excluding taxable interest, dividends, IRA and 401(k) distributions and wages, tips and salaries for household members under age 18 or age 23 if full-time students. Proof of the Dog or Cat’s Current Rabies Vaccination - a copy of the rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. Note: If the dog or cat does not have a current rabies vaccination, we will ask the applicant to complete a form which certifies that the vaccination will be administered at the time of the pet’s sterilization appointment. Proof of the Dog’s Current Deming or Luna County License - a copy of the dog’s license certificate or it’s tag. Note: If the dog does not have a current license, licenses can be issued at the Deming Animal Shelter with proof of a current rabies vaccination. Voucher(s) will be immediately issued by Deming Animal Shelter staff to approved applicants. Pet Owner’s Responsibilities It is the responsibility of the pet owner to: ensure that his or her pet’s health is adequate to have a spay or neuter performed (please consult with the veterinarian of your choice), and make the pet’s appointment for the spay or neuter with the veterinarian of your choice, and ensure that the veterinarian will accept the voucher to be applied toward the cost of the spay or neuter, and present the Mary Jessica Fund voucher to the veterinarian at the time of your pet’s appointment or earlier if required by the veterinarian, and pay any remaining balance to the veterinarian in excess of the limitations of the voucher, and carefully follow all after-care instructions provided by the veterinarian to help ensure the pet’s full and speedy recovery, and promptly notify the Deming Animal Shelter of any circumstances that would prevent you from utilizing your Mary Jessica Fund certificate(s) within 60 days from the date of issue or 30 day extension, and promptly return unused vouchers to the Deming Animal Shelter. Click on PDF file below, then print it out. If you need a FREE PDF reader, click on link below and download Foxit PDF Reader. Click on Red Down Arrow below to download or open "Mary Jessica Fund Spay-Neuter Program Application" PDF file. |