SAVING COMMUNITY CATS OPERATION CATNIP 2014 ANNUAL REPORT Since 1998, thousands of cat lovers have come together through Operation Catnip of Gainesville to achieve one common goal: SAVING COMMUNITY CATS. As you look through this report of 2014 activities and impacts, remember that everything you see is possible because of friends, volunteers, and supporters like you. Thank you!
SAVING LIVES TOGETHER Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS HELPED 2,693 Free-roaming, stray, unowned, feral - whatever their circumstances, we believe that every cat deserves a chance at a happy, healthy life. CATS IN 2014 SPAYED & 2,578 NEUTERED TREATED FOR 312 INJURY/ILLNESS BOOSTER 113 VACCINATED The day after the clinic when the cats are released back to their location, I tell each one that their life is much improved thanks to the good work done by Operation Catnip. 5-Star rating, ***** greatnonprofits.org Operation Catnip is by far the most professional, efficient and effective nonprofit groups I have ever encountered. They make a huge impact on the feral cat population and I am so grateful for their service... The staff was very friendly, prompt responding to my email request and helpful coming up with hints to help trap and keep the cats as calm as possible through the process. They were so organized for the drop off and pick up of the cats. I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work!
486 VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED 1,246 VOLUNTEER SHIFTS I had the opportunity to volunteer at the October 2014 cat clinic at Gainesville s Operation Catnip. What an amazing organization! Throughout the day, 155 feral cats were brought in, and carefully, gently were spayed or neutered by the UF veterinary students, and tended by many more volunteers. What an incredible day! The program overall has proven to be extremely effective in reducing the feral cat population and is now a national model for how to manage this problem. I was really impressed and am now proud to support the organization! Saving community cats is only possible when we work together. Our local animal welfare organizations have been teaming up for more than a decade, and today Florida s Alachua County Animal Services Shelter ranks among the best in the country in saving lives. And we have no intention of slowing down! 85% 85+15 COMMUNITY LIVE RELEASE FOR CATS Since we began in 1998, Operation Catnip has helped more than 40,000 cats! 31,977 38,771 44,735 26,492 18,615 12,007 3,684 650 7,741 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
EDUCATING TO IGNITE The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. Ralph Waldo Emerson Veterinary students from the University of Florida came for the surgical experience and stayed for the lifesaving impact. After graduation, these veterinarians will be well-prepared to support their communities cats as both doctors and advocates. FUTURE 219 VETERINARIANS SPAYED AND NEUTERED 1,523 CATS UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY All stages of cat medical care are part of our service learning partnership: Physical examinations Vaccination Surgical preparation Anesthesia 50 100 150 200 250 Surgeries performed Typical new veterinary graduate Average Operation Catnip surgeon, Class of 2014 Top Operation Catnip surgeon, Class of 2014 Surgery technique Recovery The training potential for students is unbeatable! The amount of effort and care that goes into OC is second to none. The veterinarians, students and volunteers put everything they have into helping our community cats and citizens. As a student, I was able to practice and refine many technical skills that will be useful in my career. I felt true satisfaction knowing that I had contributed to the health and safety of cats... Gainesville and UF are lucky to have such a wonderful program.
LEADING TO INSPIRE Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Teddy Roosevelt Operation Catnip s clinic is a model for other high-quality high-volume community cat clinics, always ready to help any group move to the next level in saving cats. HOSTED THE COUNTRY S ONLY COMMUNITY CAT MANAGEMENT COURSE 33 VETERINARIANS & VETERINARY STUDENTS FROM 4 SPAYED AND NEUTERED COUNTRIES IN A SINGLE WEEK! 529 CATS INNOVATING TO EMPOWER Once you choose hope, anything is possible. Christopher Reeve We proved that trap-neuter-return with adoption of friendly cats works to reduce shelter intake. Partnering with with Maddie s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida for a 2-year research project, the paper publishing this research was awarded the most meritorious article of the year for its contribution to scientific and veterinary knowledge. DECLINE IN TARGET 66% AREA CAT INTAKE 6
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS COMING IN 2015 We ll launch a brand-new mentorship website, sharing our clinic model and tons of resources to help other groups around the globe develop their own programs. We ll be part of an inspiring new shelter-based initiative, the Million Cat Challenge. At our surgical clinics, we ll sterilize our 45,000 th cat! We hope you re as excited as we are about the future, because thanks to you it s full of promise for community cats everywhere! Grants 40% 504010 Program Income 10% Contributions 50% INCOME TOTAL $251,400 Administration 8% Fundraising 83+8+9 9% Programs 83% EXPENSE TOTAL $243,800 Program costs include: medical supplies, clinic personnel, client support, volunteer management, and veterinary care. SAVING COMMUNITY CATS OPERATION CATNIP The kitties are back safe and sound and I cannot thank everyone involved enough. I am on a fixed income and would not have been able to do this by myself. THANK YOU! www.operationcatnipclinic.org 352-380-0940 4205 NW 6th Street Gainesville, FL 32609 info@ocgainesville.org