3/17/2014. Wendy Blount, DVM. Wendy Blount, DVM. Wendy Blount, DVM. Animal Welfare in. Animal Welfare in the Community. Community

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Animal Welfare in Mount Pleasant TX Wendy Blount, DVM Wendy Blount, DVM Westbury Animal Hospital 1992-1994 TAMU Small Animal Clinic 1994-1997 Residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine Connolly

1 Animal Welfare in Mount Pleasant TX Wendy Blount, DVM Wendy Blount, DVM Westbury Animal Hospital TAMU Small Animal Clinic Residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine Connolly Animal Clinic Internal Medicine Referrals and General Practice 2004 TAVP Clinical Referral and Consultation Award Continuing Education Seminars present Eastex Veterinary Clinic 2009-present Internal Med and GP 2012 TVMA Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year Wendy Blount, DVM Native American Project Shelter Vet BARC Houston Humane Society Houston SPCA HSUS Contract Worker Compassion fatigue in Shelter Medicine Duquesne University Field Instructor Medicine and Behavior in the Sheltering Environment Duquesne University present Wendy Blount, DVM Humane Society of Nacogdoches County 2009 City of Nacogdoches Medical Director, SpayNeuterNac 2011 TACA Bilderback Award O Malley PET (Preventing Euthanasia Together) 2012 to present City of Nacogdoches Health Advisory Committee 2012-present Animal Welfare in the Community Mother Teresa Approach I can not help them all, but I can help this one Improve problems in your community Decrease shelter intakes Decrease euthanasia per capita Increase the Live release rate Increase the Save rate Decrease the euthanasia rate Decrease animal infectious disease in the community Improve zoonosis in the community Animal Welfare in the Community Problem Solver or Enabler? Watch the shelter numbers Intakes decrease EPC decrease Live release rate increase Save rate increase Euthanasia rate decrease Set goals Assess progress yearly Adjust your approach of not meeting goals 1

2 Targeted Spay Neuter Target those who would not otherwise have their pets altered Low income Low interest One or two zip codes, or more or less Estimate the number of unaltered pets in the area Target 35-80% of this number in as short a period as possible Foundations, donors, and elected officials want statistics and hard data supporting requests for more funding. Licensed animals are a small subset of total animals not a good estimate There are formulas to estimate, and then adjust, based on what you know about local demographics Step 1 Determine # of Households Local emergency management City Planning/Zoning Department County building permit division Tax appraiser s office US Census information by county EXAMPLE 100,000 Households Step 2 Estimate # of Households with dogs, cats and pet birds 39% of US Households own a dog 39% of US Households own a cat 6% of US Households own a bird Source: The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association's National Pet Owners Survey. Step 2 Estimate # of Households with dogs, cats and pet birds EXAMPLE: 100,000 households x 0.39 (percent dog owners) = 39,000 dog-owning households 100,000 households x 0.34 (percent cat owners) = 34,000 cat-owning households 100,000 households x 0.06 (percent bird owners) = 6,000 bird-owning households Step 3 Estimate # of dogs, cats and pet birds Average 1.7 dogs per household Average 2.3 cats per household Average 2.5 birds per household Source: The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association's National Pet Owners Survey. 2

3 Step 3 Estimate # of dogs, cats and pet birds EXAMPLE: 39,000 dog-owning households x 1.7 (average dogs per household) = 66,300 dogs 34,000 cat-owning households x 2.3 (average cats per household) = 78,200 cats 6,000 bird-owning households x 2.5 (average birds per household) = 15,000 pet birds PetSmart Charities: 80% of pets owned by those of financial means are spayed or neutered 80% of pets owned by those who live below the poverty standard are not surgically sterilized Need to sterilize 35-80% of the animals in any given area per year in order to impact pet numbers Population of the area 66,034 Percent living in poverty 24.1% Average household size 2.52 persons AVMA 37% of households own dogs 32% of households own cats APPMA Average 1.7 dogs per household Average 2.3 cats per household #1 Calculate Households in poverty with dogs and cats Population of the area 66,034 Average household size 2.52 persons Households in area 66,034/2.52 = 26,204 Percent living in poverty 24.1% Households in poverty 26,204 x 24.1% = % of households own dogs 32% of households own cats Households with dogs in poverty 6315 x 37% = 2337 Households with cats in poverty 6315 x 32% = 2021 #2 Calculate Dogs and Cats in Poverty Households with dogs in poverty 2337 Households with cats in poverty 2021 Average 1.7 dogs per household Average 2.3 cats per household Cats in poverty 2021 x 2.3 = 4648 Dogs in poverty 2337 x 1.7 = 3973 #3 Calculate Dogs and Cats not in poverty Households in area 26,204 Households in poverty % of households have 1.7 each 32% of households have 2.3 cats each Households not in poverty 26, = 19,889 Cats not in poverty = 19,889 x 32% x 2.3 = 14,638 Dogs not in poverty = 19,889 x 37% x 1.7 = 12,510 3

4 #4 Calculate Unsterilized Dogs and Cats Cats in poverty 4648 Dogs in poverty 3973 Cats not in poverty 14,638 Dogs not in poverty 12,510 Unsterilized dogs in poverty = 3973 x 80% = 3178 Unsterilized cats in poverty = 4648 x 80% = 3718 Unsterilized dogs not in poverty = 12,510 x 20% = 2502 Unsterilized cats not in poverty = 14,638 x 20% = 2928 Unsterilized dogs = = 5680 Unsterilized Cats = = 6646 #5 Calculate minimum surgeries needed per year Unsterilized dogs in poverty = 3178 Unsterilized cats in poverty = 3718 Unsterilized dogs not in poverty = 2502 Unsterilized cats not in poverty = 2928 Unsterilized dogs = 5680 Unsterilized Cats = 6646 To impact dogs in poverty = 3178 x 35% = 1112 To impact cats in poverty = % = 1301 To impact dog community = 5680 x 35% = 1988 To impact cat community = 6646 x 35% = 2326 Do We really have a pet overpopulation problem in East Texas? Euthanasias per capita are used to assess pet overpopulation in an area Euthanasia = humanely killing pets at animal shelters Because they are not adoptable Because there are no available homes In the Northeast where pet population is ideal, euthanasias are 5 per 1,000 capita (5 EPC) Pet Transports Rescue Waggin Do We really have a pet overpopulation problem in East Texas? TX, Southern CA and FL have the highest EPC in the US, per PetSmart Charities. San Antonio is at 40 EPC Over the past 3 decades on Nac County, 2,000-4,000 unwanted pets have been euthanized at our shelter each year population has grown from 47,000 to 66,000 during that time EPC have remained during this time, with no trend downward Our Pet Overpopulation Problem is as bad as is gets in the United States Arguments Against There are already a dozen veterinarians in this county who do spays and neuters Program will harm the financial well being of local veterinarians Program will only cannibalize local business without solving the pet overpopulation problem Low cost spay-neuter usually means low quality health care services for pets It s too expensive, we can t afford it Program will harm the financial well being of local veterinarians Maddie s Fund Study (Frank et al) Low cost SNC screen for financial need Increase total number of spays and neuters done in an area Do not cannibalize full service surgeries 85% of the pets/owners served do not have/seek regular veterinary care 4

Low Cost services are not necessary Chu et al, JAVMA, 2009 Family income is the strongest predictor as to whether cats in a household are spayed or neutered 50% of cats in households with income

7 = 7127 cats 50% = 3564 unsterilized cats 3564 x 35% = 1247 cat spays needed Persons in household Household income 2013 Free Services Low Cost Services 1 $11,170 $22,310 2 $15,130 $30,014 3 $19,090

5 Low Cost services are not necessary Chu et al, JAVMA, 2009 Family income is the strongest predictor as to whether cats in a household are spayed or neutered 50% of cats in households with income <$35K are not spayed or neutered Median income for our county is $35K 26,204 households 13,102 households below $35K 13,102 x 32% x 1.7 = 7127 cats 50% = 3564 unsterilized cats 3564 x 35% = 1247 cat spays needed Persons in household Household income 2013 Free Services Low Cost Services 1 $11,170 $22,310 2 $15,130 $30,014 3 $19,090 $37,719 4 $23,050 $45,423 5 $27,010 $53,127 6 $30,970 $60,832 7 $34,930 $68,536 8 $38,890 $76,241 For families > 8 + $3,960 per person + $7,704 per person Source HHS Poverty Standard State Aid Programs Low Cost services are not necessary 6646 unsterilized cats Low Cost services are not necessary 5680 unsterilized dogs THAT S A LOT OF CAT LOVIN!!! THAT S A PUP-U-LATION EXPLOSION!!! Low Cost services are not necessary We are counting only euthanasias at our shelter Hundreds to thousands more occur at veterinary clinics Untold numbers of dogs and cats killed at the hands of our citizens, or left to die of exposure Drowned, Shot Connected to car exhaust Knocked on the head THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THE DEATHS IS TO PREVENT THE BIRTHS Low cost spay-neuter usually means low quality health care services for pets Humane Alliance Association of Shelter Veterinarians American Animal Hospital Association Each pet gets a pre-operative exam Prepped in the prep room, and then brought into the surgical suite Surgeon wears mask, cap and gown Pain meds not optional Written anesthesia and surgery reports IV fluids and bloodwork as indicated Monitored every step of the way 5

6 It costs too much It costs taxpayers as much as $176 to impound, house, and destroy a homeless pet through the shelter system. $40-80 will spay or neuter the same pet Cat neuter as little as $25 Large dog spay as much as $75 These are subsidized costs Donations labor 2 part time clinic employees Average cost per surgery is $65. Client Fees set at cost minus grants How do we keep costs down? $65 per surgery is way less than cost at a full service clinic We staff the clinic with 7-10 trained volunteers each week Veterinary technicians nurse practitioners, pharmacists social workers business owners shelter directors professors and teachers massage therapists, rescue workers Housewives How do we keep costs down? Donations - $180K this year ~$20K from local benefactors and fundraisers ~$10K/yr website labor donated building purchased by a benefactor, budget pays utilities only ~$50K in veterinary labor donated Grants - $65K this year $4.8K ASPCA $35K Montgomery Humane Trust $15.65K Texas DSHS $10K PetSmart Charities The Bottom Line If EPC in the area are >5-10, YES!! How many surgeries are needed in your community to make an impact? How many are being done by local vets? How many more need to be done? Can your program meet that need? Monitor Shelter intakes and euthanasias yearly If numbers are not improving, increase surgery numbers How Do We Know it Will Work? It s a numbers game If we do enough surgeries, euthanasia and shelter intake numbers will come down If we don t, they won t Our goal is to do 1000 surgeries per year Average 20 a week Surgery one day a week How Do We Know it Will Work? There many examples of similar programs which have been successful Knoxville, TN - Linda Chassy, DVM Low cost spay-neuter began in ,000 surgeries done in 4 years County population 436, euthanasias down by euthanasias down by 2500 more Down 4500 total from 2007 Puppy intake dropping steadily for 24 months in a row Now <700 animals away from adopting out all healthy pets in the shelter 6

year to 10,000 per year since 1999 Our Story 2005 Humane Society of Nacogdoches County met with local vets 2007 Proposal by local vet to purchase equipment for SN clinic at the shelter 2009 HSNC

7 How Do We Know it Will Work? There many examples of similar programs which have been successful Indianapolis, IN County population 890,000 13,000 surgeries in ,000 surgeries since 1999 Euthanasias dropped from 22,000 per year to 10,000 per year since 1999 Our Story 2005 Humane Society of Nacogdoches County met with local vets 2007 Proposal by local vet to purchase equipment for SN clinic at the shelter 2009 HSNC asked me to purchase setup equipment and supplies and do surgery, secured permission from City $40,000 Jan 2010 HSNC petitioned City to administer the clinic March 2010 began training volunteers, did 23 surgeries during the training period June 2010 HSNC agreed to pay surgical fees for animals owned by people living in poverty Our Story August 17, 2010 City of Nacogdoches voted to hire 1 full time employee, pay professional labor, replenish supplies and administer the project $98,000 budget, break even August 23, 2010 clinic opened to shelter animals January 2011 clinic opened to the public January 2011 St. Francis Rescue of Nacogdoches agrees to pay medical costs for all pit bulls owned by family who qualify for low cost fees. Our Story February 2011 local benefactor agrees to pay surgery fees for all animals leaving the shelter to go to rescue 50 animals in 2011 April, 2011 DSHS grant makes all surgeries on animals not adopted from the shelter free to owners $34,000 May 2011 HS donates $5000 to expand OR to 2 surgery tables September, 2011 local benefactor donates serology machine, diagnostic sets and ultrasonic instrument cleaner $13,000 Our Story March 2012 PetSmart Charities Grant $57K for 700 surgeries in April 2012 City Closes SpayNeuterNac Clinic 1241 surgeries done Joint Project by HSNC and local vets to fund 700 surgeries by local vets December surgeries done O Malley PET Founded purchased clinic equipment from HS February 2013 O Malley PET Opens Currently doing 20 surgeries every other Thursday Who Do We Serve? SNN served those who adopted from the shelter, regardless of financial need (SNN 54%) OMPET no longer does this (OMPET 14%) Those who live below federal poverty line Free services for $10 co-pay SNN 36%; OMPET 93% Those who qualify for various state aid Low cost services, $25-$75 SNN 7%; OMPET 7% Pebbles spayed and now in her new home 7

8 Jennifer Bryant Veterinary Technician The glue that holds us together Responsible for absolutely everything Since 2013 Michele Sprague Huckleberry Director of Volunteers & Treasurer Property Manager Amazing powers of persuasion Michele tells us how she really feels about dogs who reproduce indiscriminantly Jennifer and family Brenda Hayter Brendita Anesthetic Induction and Patient Prep Judy Mahoney Feral Human Helper Client Care & Patient Recovery Judy Mahoney Client Care & Patient Recovery Betty Yuracko Chart Nazi Medical Records Lola enjoys a JuMo spa recovery 8

9 Dr. Maggie Forbes Detail Devil Pre-anesthetic exams, data entry, vaccination visits Lauren Gaudette and Jane Austin Pack Rats Instrument Pack Preparation s Nancy Hinds Nants Laundress Wanda Jorgensen Secret Weapon Executive Chef Some of our many other volunteers How Can You Help?? Michele Sprague - mdstx77019@yahoo.com Director of Volunteers Donate Funds 9

Port Alberni & the BC SPCA: Help us continue our Successful Pet Overpopulation Strategy

Port Alberni & the BC SPCA: Help us continue our Successful Pet Overpopulation Strategy The BC SPCA The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a not for profit charity dedicated to the