Driving more low-cost spay/neuter

Since 2001, a special license plate program in Utah has been promoting the Best Friends–Utah spay/neuter programs that are so crucial to reducing the deaths of animals in Utah shelters. For only $25 a year, animal welfare-conscious people help fund spay/neuter surgeries for thousands of dogs and cats. In recent years, the plates have generated income that helps people and pets by providing low-cost, and in some instances, no-cost spay/neuter. Recently, the design of the plate has been updated with the unified message of NKUT, “Save Them All,” and it will be available beginning May 1.    

New design, same great work

NKUT is an initiative led by Best Friends Animal Society that brings together passionate individuals, city shelters and a coalition of animal welfare organizations to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters in Utah by 2019. The plan is straightforward — provide spay/neuter services where they are needed most (so that fewer animals go into shelters) and increase adoptions to place more animals in new homes.

Kim McDaniel, communications manager at Best Friends–Utah, expects the new plate to infuse even more interest in saving the lives of animals. “We make over $60,000 a year from the program, and that helps us assist so many underserved communities where the need is greatest,” says Kim. “We anticipate that the new design will encourage more people to get the plates so we can prevent even more dogs and cats from entering the shelter system.”  

Easy to switch

The old plate design will still be valid, but those who want to change over to the new design, can do so beginning May 1 by bringing their vehicle registration and current plate number to any Department of Motor Vehicles office. The fee is just $10 fee to change plates, and vehicle registration dates will not change. With the low fee, current license plate holders can easily upgrade and continue to support current spay/neuter programs. And the new design should generate enough excitement that more first-timers will be encouraged to boast about their love for animals with a new license plate.  

Get involved

Learn more about the Utah’s pet license plate.