The ARF shelter is full. We have 32 cats and kittens and 19 puppies and dogs.

Some of the cats have been at ARF since last spring and summer when they were only kittens. Why are they still with us? Obviously, ARF has done more for these unwanted kittens and cats than they have ever had before.

They are healthy, they are vaccinated and they are fixed. For an $80 adoption fee, you’re getting about $250 worth of veterinary services. Yet, they’re still there.

All we ask is that you provide the best care for these beautiful kittens and cats by keeping them from harm’s way. How? By keeping them indoors and taking them to the veterinarian when they need to go. And, when you take them to the vet, put them in a pet taxi so they don’t freak out and escape.

Most of our dogs are just plain ‘ol dogs, as I’ve said before. But they are loyal creatures who all deserve to be part of the family by being indoors at night and when you’re home.

For those who found a cat or a dog or was given one that needs to be spayed or neutered, there is the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, also known as the “Tag Fund.” Each participating veterinarian can have up to three surgeries every month. All you have to do is ask for it.

How does the Tag Fund work? You will call a veterinarian’s office and ask if they participate in the Tag Fund. If so, set up an appointment for the surgery. The appointment is necessary because each veterinarian only gets three surgeries, and they are used quickly. Under this program, the State of Georgia pays $35 toward the neuter of a cat, $45 toward the spay of a cat, $55 toward the neuter of a dog and $65 toward the spay of a dog.

You ask and the veterinary office fills out the necessary forms. The rest of the cost for the surgery is your responsibility.

There are now three license plates that can be purchased to support the Tag Fund. The license plate costs $25 with $22 going directly into the Tag Fund.

The original tag was designed by Macon artist Mark Ballard. It took several years for the Georgia Legislators to approve of the license plate to

help Georgia’s pet overpopulation.

According to a Press Release dated July 10, 2008, “Since January 2008, more than $198,000 has been earned through sales of Dog and Cat ‘Buddy’ license plates, donations to the program’s state income tax checkoff and direct donations. Since its inception in November 2003, the program has distributed more than $1,886,345 statewide to subsidize 35,764 spay/neuter procedures performed by 751 licensed veterinarians. Residents in every Georgia county have benefited from this program.”

With the addition of the Buddy tag, the program sold even more tags. And now, there’s the new Feline Friend tag. The new Feline Tag, depicting a cat named Hope will be on sale beginning this December.

If you don’t want to purchase a tag, you can always donate to the Tag Fund every year through the Georgia Income Tax form.

It really is important to support the Tag Fund. Support it, use it. It’s an easy way to spay and neuter pets so shelters aren’t always full of unwanted animals.