The Alabama Veterinary Medical Foundation wants to remind pet lovers to support the ALVMF spay and neuter license plate program by purchasing a license plate and contributing through your state income tax return.

“The program helps Alabama residents on Medicaid obtain low-cost surgeries for their pets that will in turn help us decrease the pet overpopulation problem in Alabama,” said a press release about the program. “The ALVMF encourage everyone to support this program, purchase a tag or make a donation and help us help them.”

Pet overpopulation numbers in Alabama are staggering. Approximately 75 percent of healthy, adoptable cats and dogs brought into Alabama shelters are needlessly euthanized, which adds up to more than 120,000 each year. You can help reduce these numbers by purchasing an ALVMF specialty license plate from a local issuing office.

The specialized tag is $50 (plus your regular fees) with proceeds going to the license plate program to assist low-income families who qualify for the program with the cost of spaying and neutering their pets.

“Another way to donate is through your tax return,” the release said. “Thanks to generous Alabamians like you, income tax check-off has raised more than $167,994 since 2013. Simply specify an amount for spay/neuter efforts through the ALVMF at the bottom of your return or tell your tax preparer that you want to give through that option.”

Through the license plate program, proceeds from statewide tag sales offset the cost of spay/neuter surgeries. These spay/neuter surgeries are performed at more than 64 participating veterinary hospitals throughout Alabama.

To spay or neuter as many animals as possible, participating veterinarians accept a reduced fee for the surgeries. During the past seven years, more than 26,765 tags have been sold and over 16,900 surgeries have been performed.

For more information, visit www.alvmf.net.