The state law regarding the Animal Friendly account and how it’s to be used

Sec. 828.014.  ANIMAL FRIENDLY ACCOUNT; DEDICATION. 

(a)  The animal friendly account is a separate account in the general revenue fund.  The account is composed of:

(1)  money deposited to the credit of the account under former Section 502.291, Transportation Code, and under Section 504.605, Transportation Code; and

(2)  gifts, grants, donations, and legislative appropriations.

(b)  The Department of State Health Services administers the account.

(b-1)  The Department of State Health Services may spend money credited to the account or money deposited to the associated trust fund account created under Section 504.6012, Transportation Code, only to:

(1)  make grants to eligible organizations that sterilize animals owned by the general public at minimal or no cost; and

(2)  defray the cost of administering the account.

(c)  The Department of State Health Services  may accept gifts, donations, and grants from any source for the benefit of the account.  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission  by rule shall establish guidelines for spending money described by Subsection (b-1).

(d)  In this section "eligible organization" means:

(1)  a releasing agency;

(2)  an organization that is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code, that has as its primary purpose:

(A)  animal welfare;  or

(B)  sterilizing animals owned by the general public at minimal or no cost;  or

(3)  a local nonprofit veterinary medical association that has an established program for sterilizing animals owned by the general public at minimal or no cost.

Instructions on how to get Animal Friendly Grants from the Texas Department of State Health Services

https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/PCS/HHS0003272/

$ AVAILABLE: The total amount of state funding available for the Animal Friendly Grants Sterilization Services for Dogs and Cats is approximately $200,000 and it is DSHS's intention to make multiple awards to eligible respondents. One (1) grant award per project period will be awarded per agency for the sterilization of dogs and/or cats in a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $20,000 per contract period. These minimums and maximums may increase or decrease at the sole discretion of DSHS. The maximum amount awarded per agency for the total life of the contract is $40,000. Large requests for state funding may not be fully funded in order to ensure that funds are available for the broadest possible array of communities and programs.

Grants awarded as a result of this RFP will be funded on a cost reimbursement basis. Under the cost reimbursement method of funding, grant recipients are required to finance operations with their own working capital with grant payments made by DSHS to reimburse the grant recipients for actual cash disbursements to be supported by adequate documentation.

ELIGIBILITY: Please see URL for complete eligibility information.

PURPOSE: The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS or Department) Zoonosis Control Branch (Program) announces the expected availability of Animal Friendly funding for the State Fiscal year (FY) 2017. This funding is for Spay and Neuter Projects, and to make grants eligible for organizations that sterilize dogs and cats owned by the general public at minimal or no cost.

CFDA: none

Information on Animal Friendly Fund Distribution

https://dshs.texas.gov/idcu/health/zoonosis/animal/friendly/county/default.asp

Who is eligible to apply for Animal Friendly grants?

A: Eligible applicants are:

1.a private or public releasing agency (animal shelter); 

2.an organization that is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501c(3), Internal Revenue Code, that has animal welfare or sterilizing dogs and cats owned by the general public at minimal or no cost as its primary purpose; or

3.a local nonprofit veterinary medical association that has an established program for sterilizing animal owned by the general public at minimal or no cost.