The Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society has

received a $4,600 grant to promote spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced the recipients of such grants at a meeting of the Nashville Humane Association.

The grants support low cost spay/neuter programs in Tennessee and are funded through Animal Friendly license plate sales.

"This is a great program that not only helps control the number of unwanted animals but it also provides important animal and public health benefits," said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens.

"Last year, with the help of humane organizations across the state, we were able to benefit more than 4,300 animals through Animal Friendly license plate sales."

Every Animal Friendly license plate sale contributes more than $15 to fund the grants. This year, $190,000 was awarded to 45 different non-profit animal care and rescue organizations and government agencies. The grants ranged from $1,400 to $4,600.

"The spay and neuter license plate grant program provides an opportunity for communities to actively work on a solution for reducing unwanted puppies or kittens that overwhelm local animal control and humane organizations," said Mary Pat Boatfield, Executive Director of the Nashville Humane Association.

Reducing the number of unwanted animals also helps reduce cases of animal cruelty, starvation and lowers the instances of disease.