Bill filed to fund animal shelters in Arkansas

By The Associated Press

A new fee for pet owners would help pay for building and operating animal shelters throughout the state, under a bill filed Monday.

The measure by Rep. Clark Hall, D-Marvell, would impose a $3 fee for veterinarian visits for cats and dogs. That money would be placed in a trust fund, under the Arkansas Department of Health, and doled out to cities and counties for their animal shelters.

The fee would only apply to visits when a cat or dog receives veterinary services from a licensed professional.

Under the bill, 35 percent of the proceeds would go to counties based on population, 35 percent would go to cities based on population and 30 percent would go to counties or cities, based on the need for an animal shelter.

For more information see Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.