Hi Lisa;
Great job and congratulations! I agree 100%. At the Community Cats Podcast we also promote access to s/n for owned cats(even more than cats that will be returned back) via our Community Cat Pyramid: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/cat-pyramid/.
Feel free to join the efforts of the United Spay Alliance to share your successes with others. If you ever do write anything up we would be happy to share!
Thank you for what you do for cats and dogs in the community.
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Stacy LeBaron
Head Cat
The Community Cats Podcast
Warren VT
978-239-2090
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-13-2024 10:18 AM
From: Lisa Steva
Subject: Spay Neuter Assistance
Since 2018 our small rural county in Middle TN has had a very actively promoted spay neuter assistance program (we fix any cat or dog in our county for free!). The results have been spectacular. Though shelter numbers were not collected in the past, anecdotal observations from former shelter worker and local rescue that focused on puppies and their moms, confirmed a huge reduction in stray/abandon animals. Intake dropped from about 15 dogs per month to about 5!! This reduction has meant no animals have been euthanized for years. I know spay neuter, especially in poorer communities, is highly effective. The added benefit of positive health and behavioral advantages is tremendous. A side note, the decreased roaming means pet retention goes up and shelter intake goes down. Unaltered animals are far more likely to get taken into AC, about 70% of intake is unaltered. This is far above the community spay neuter rate. I would love to see more emphasis on spay neuter and greater funding made available. It is truly the humane, affordable, proactive solution.
#AccesstoCare
#Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization
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Lisa Steva
President
Fix Trousdale
TN
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