a. Any licensed veterinarian of this State may participate in the program upon filing with the commissioner an application therefor, on forms prescribed by the commissioner, which application shall supply, in addition to any other information requested by the commissioner, an animal sterilization fee schedule listing the fees charged for animal sterilization in the normal course of business. These fees may vary with the animal’s weight, sex and species. The commissioner may, however, disqualify from participation in the program any veterinarian whose fees are deemed unreasonable.

b. The commissioner shall, to the extent that moneys are available therefor from the “Animal Population Control Fund,” reimburse participating veterinarians for 80% of the fee for each animal sterilization procedure administered, upon the submission of an animal sterilization certificate, prescribed by the commissioner, signed by the veterinarian and the owner of the animal, for each sterilization procedure.

c. The commissioner shall reimburse from the fund any licensed veterinarian of this State participating in the program for the presurgical immunization of dogs against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus, or the presurgical immunization of cats against feline panleukopenia, calici, pneumonitis and rhinotracheitis, as the case may be, which immunization shall be administered at least 10 days prior to reproductive surgery, on animals not previously immunized. The reimbursement shall be for no more than $10.00 upon the written certification, signed by the veterinarian and the owner of the animal, that the immunization has been administered.

L.1983, c. 172, s. 5.