Custom Pet License Plates Fund Spay, Neuter Programs in California

Gov. Jerry Brown and actor Pierce Brosnan are promoting the sale of the "California Pet Lover's License Plate," which will help fund spay and neuter programs.

Brown, who made an appearance at a Southland pet supply store Wednesday to talk about the effort, signed a bill by Assemblyman Jose Solorio, D-Anaheim, this week to give drivers another year to order the plates.

"It's a great idea," said Brown, who was accompanied to the promotion by the state's first dog, Sutter (who has his own Twitter page). "It's not government, it's not bureaucracy. It's not Sacramento." Brosnan designed the artwork on the plate.

The plates will not be distributed until 7,500 are ordered. There were 4,620 plates ordered as of Tuesday, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The plate costs $50 initially and has a $40 annual renewal fee. A personalized plate costs $98, with a $78 annual renewal fee. You can order one here.

Approximately $32.68 of each $50 paid per plate order goes into the spay/neuter fund and the other $17.32 to the Department of Motor Vehicles for processing, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Brosnan, who created the artwork on the plate, depicting a sunglass-wearing cat on the head of a dog, told ABC7 that the plate program "will enable people who couldn't necessarily afford to neuter their dog or their cat (to) take them to a shelter, have them neutered so they don't have unwanted babies."

Solorio, who joined Brown and Brosnan at the event promoting the plates said "pet owners want to do the right thing, but spay/neuter surgeries average $95 per procedure. The annual proceeds from the plate will give city and county animal shelters the opportunity to bring those costs down to more affordable levels, or even be free. Ultimately, this bill will save hundreds of thousands of pet lives in California."