South Carolina’s “No More Homeless Pets” License Plate Program nears $700,000 for spay/neuter funding
December 16, 2025
Annual funding exhausted in 4 months as shelter intake, euthanasia, and community needs remain high
The South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association (SCACCA) announced that the No More Homeless Pets (NMHP) specialty license plate program has generated nearly $700,000 for low- and no-cost spay/neuter services over the last decade, helping more than 15,000 animals across South Carolina. The demand for services continues to outpace available funding, with this fiscal year’s allocation exhausted in just four months.
Shelter Intake & Euthanasia: A Prevention Crisis
According to Shelter Animals Count (2024):
- 105,388 animals entered South Carolina shelters and rescue organizations last year
- More than 13,000 were euthanized
“100,000+ animals entering shelters in a single year is not a crisis we can adopt our way out of,” said Shelly Simmons, C.A.W.A., SCACCA Board President. “We must reduce intake at the source — and that means investing in prevention before animals ever reach a shelter door.”
What NMHP Funding Has Done
SCACCA administers NMHP funding for the state. To date, the program has supported spay/neuter services in 23 of 46 counties, including Greenville, Charleston, Horry, Spartanburg, Richland, Lexington, Aiken, and more.
Program impact to date:
- Nearly $700,000 invested
- 15,000+ animals sterilized
- Tens of thousands of unplanned litters prevented
- 100% of funds go directly to spay/neuter services
Prevention That Helps People and Pets
More than 100,000 animals enter South Carolina shelters each year, and behind those numbers are families facing impossible choices. The No More Homeless Pets license plate funds spay and neuter services that keep pets in homes and prevent crisis before it begins.
“If 1 in 10 South Carolina drivers had this plate, we could fund enough spay and neuter surgeries to nearly match the number of homeless pets entering shelters and rescues each year,” Simmons said. “That’s prevention at the scale our communities actually need.”
How the Public Can Help
South Carolinians can support prevention by purchasing or renewing a No More Homeless Pets specialty license plate, available through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. People can also donate directly to SCACCA, a registered 501(c)(3), and designate their gift to support statewide spay/neuter efforts.
About SCACCA
The South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association (SCACCA) is the professional association for animal services in South Carolina and administers the No More Homeless Pets license plate funding for the state. SCACCA is leading a new era of animal services in South Carolina by empowering those working in the field through education, practical tools, trusted resources, and a unified voice. Our goal is to promote consistent standards, professional growth, and collaborative solutions to strengthen outcomes statewide.
