In-Clinic Clinics

“In-Clinic Clinics” A Creative and Cost Effective Approach to Rural Spay/ Neuter Programs… : 

1 “In-Clinic Clinics” A Creative and Cost Effective Approach to Rural Spay/ Neuter Programs… Spay/ Neuter Programs Outside of the Box!

Pet Overpopulation is… : 

2 Pet Overpopulation is… A public health issue Demographically trackable Spay/ neuter is the core of stopping animal suffering. The animals deserve the best program possible.

Assessing Your Community : 

3 Assessing Your Community Population Number of households under the targeted income level Rural, town or urban? Service radius from clinic? Transportation? How many veterinarians to percentage of homes on public assistance? Proximity of veterinarians to low-income areas Sources for information Use Census 2000 and, if available, local animal control offices . Low-income services, social service agencies & the Chamber of Commerce can help you understand the clients you will serve.

Assessing Your Information : 

4 Assessing Your Information Compare per capita numbers of surgeries of successful programs in regions similar to yours in order to create a program to fit your community. Achieving “effective surgeries” in a timely manner will help your organization have the impact that you are striving for.

A Few Definitions… : 

5 A Few Definitions… “Effective surgeries,” refers to surgeries that are performed that would not occur without financial assistance. Programs that make spay/ neuter available to low-income homes, homes that otherwise would not be able to have a pet sterilized, provide “effective surgeries.” Open programs, including coupon programs, do not increase the number of animals that could not otherwise be served, and may have little impact, waste money and alienate veterinarians.

Unwanted litters originate from three main sources. They are… : 

6 Unwanted litters originate from three main sources. They are… Pets belonging to low-income homes that cannot afford to have a pet sterilized. Shelters and adoption programs that release intact animals back into the community, thereby resupplying the number of animals in reproductive circulation. Feral cats.

Project Your Goals… create effective programs… : 

7 Project Your Goals… create effective programs… Set some goals… “casual” spay/ neuter programs in rural communities, including stop & start or intermittent programs, are not as effective as they could be. Create your program based on your assessment rather than creating a program based on your immediate resources…reach out…reach out…reach out…

Creating the Program That Fits the Bill… : 

8 Creating the Program That Fits the Bill… Will you transport to a large clinic? Will you use a mobile clinic? Will you ask local veterinarians to reduce the cost of a limited number of surgeries? If you answered yes to either of the last two, “In-Clinic Clinics” may be a better option for you!

“In-Clinic Clinics!” : 

9 “In-Clinic Clinics!” Some people view mobile clinics as a veterinary clinic on wheels…we view each private animal hospital as a mobile clinic that got stuck!! In-clinic clinics use a veterinary office on a day the office is normally closed to create a high-volume, low-cost program for low-income homes. It gives the humane society the same financial benefits as having access to a low-cost clinic or periodic mobile unit and offers the veterinarian a way to provide these services without compromising their regular workday. FOR MORE INFO... See PETsMART Charities Curious Cats Grants

Financial Impact on the Veterinarians of Traditional Reduced-Cost Programs vs. Benefits of “In-Clinic Clinics”… : 

10 Financial Impact on the Veterinarians of Traditional Reduced-Cost Programs vs. Benefits of “In-Clinic Clinics”… Veterinarians reducing their cost during the regular work day… Loss of revenue per surgery limits the numbers that may be assisted. Reduced cost surgeries may actually cost the animal hospital more due to extra phone calls for authorization, etc. No-shows represent an actual loss because of prior phone time for office staff. Making public health protocol fit the private hospital model is often frustrating for everyone.

Financial Impact of In-Clinic Clinics… : 

11 Financial Impact of In-Clinic Clinics… Generate positive revenue per surgery instead of being a loss for the vet, so greater numbers may be served Revenue is generated during off-hours; regular business is not affected. Costs less because there is no use of hospital office staff for scheduling or any contact with the public. Provides a high volume of surgeries with a limited number (even one) of veterinarians. The more surgeries the better.

For the Veterinarian this Works Because… : 

12 For the Veterinarian this Works Because… The isolated time block means that the vet does not compete with him/ herself for their regular workday. Targeted income means that the vet is not competing with him/ herself for their regular clients. Although cost is reduced, these services become an additional revenue stream, not a loss.

And for the humane society… : 

13 And for the humane society… Creates an accessible spay/ neuter clinic with zero capital start-up costs, i.e. purchase of a mobile, building costs, etc. Increases availability of potential services. Extra surgeries can be scheduled to compensate for likely no-shows and the no-shows do not represent a loss to anyone.

A “win-win” solution… : 

14 A “win-win” solution… By clustering low-cost surgeries, the day is financially a win/ win for the vet and the humane organization. In-Clinic Clinics are a cost effective solution for the humane society by providing low cost services normally found in a high volume program without having to purchase a mobile unit or construct a clinic.

What it takes… : 

15 What it takes… A “spay/ neuter team,” a committed core group of three to five humane society volunteers. One volunteer will be the, “coordinator.” One or more veterinarians with an available time block on a regular basis. Low-income pet guardians and feral cat trappers.

The Coordinator… : 

16 The Coordinator… The coordinator organizes communication with the animal hospital. The coordinator should visit the hospital before the first clinic, and should be aware of where activities will take place and understand what each volunteer position entails. The coordinator maintains contact with the animal hospital and the volunteers. This individual oversees booking and makes sure supplies are on hand.

Volunteers… : 

17 Volunteers… Volunteers are responsible for scheduling, reminder calls, check-in and check-out and may also be responsible for scrubbing instruments that have to be sterilized throughout the day, monitoring animals following recovery and other tasks that keep things moving.

Getting Started : 

18 Getting Started Scheduling… Remind clients to fast the pet the night before, and give directions to the clinic. Make reminder calls the day before. Stagger the times that clients should arrive based on the vets preference for starting with cats or dogs. Some animals should be there before surgery time, but avoid a big jamb at check-in. If possible, leave a short break between arrival of cats and dogs. Give clients an approximate pick-up time or tell them you will call them for pick up.

Before the Event! : 

19 Before the Event! A volunteer orientation shortly before the first clinic to review the flow of the day is vital. Review at that time what supplies will be needed and who is responsible for what task. Volunteers should be people who have worked with your organization and attended the orientation, we discourage “show-ups.” Review any questions with the veterinarian and make sure that he/ she has seen your aftercare form.

Supplies You Will Need : 

20 Supplies You Will Need Forms for intake and release. Plastic quick ties to replace missing carrier bolts Intake-pens, forms, clip boards, masking tape and Sharpie markers (coffee pot is optional) Recovery supplies- newspapers for cages, towels, paper towels, masking tape, pens Release supplies-aftercare forms, owner copy of any paperwork, paperclips, etc. Carriers

Check-in… : 

21 Check-in… Get pets into cages before paperwork is started Discourage people from allowing pets to “visit” other pets. Children should not be unsupervised while parents are checking a pet in. Omissions on the paperwork in the morning will result in confusion at the end of the day. Make sure intake forms are signed and payment is noted on the form.

…more check in… : 

22 …more check in… Help clients with forms if necessary. Review pick-up times and explain that they will need a few minutes to go over aftercare instructions. Move cages into designated area for surgeries to start.

During the Day… : 

23 During the Day… Recovery activities depend on the veterinarian. Clean soiled cages. Wash instruments. Monitor pets. Complete information on rabies forms.

Release… : 

24 Release… Review aftercare verbally with each client. Assist clients to get the pet safely to their vehicle.

Some of our protocol… : 

25 Some of our protocol… Labeling with the owners name and animal type (FD, MD, FC, MC) should be on every carrier once the animal is in it. Check-in forms are placed on top of the carrier, and paperwork follows the animal through the day. No cat should be transferred from one carrier (or box) to another in an open area. Use a bathroom or other closed space to move a cat. No dog should be moved without a slip lead, even if carried. If a cat owner does not have a carrier, after release take the cat to the car in a humane society carrier, remove it in the car and return the carrier to the building. If multiple animals are out of their carriers, place a small piece of masking tape with the owners last name on the animals head between its’ ears; remove when pet returns to its’ carrier.

Keep in Mind… : 

26 Keep in Mind… Limit the first clinic to a comfortable number of surgeries for the veterinarian, also allowing volunteers to get the feel for how the day will go. If possible, visit a clinic or mobile unit beforehand. Anticipate no-shows, but discuss with the veterinarian whether or not you should overbook. The “In-clinic Clinic” is a guest in the hospital. Clients should remain in the waiting area, and everyone should remember it is a hospital.

More to Keep in Mind… : 

27 More to Keep in Mind… In-Clinic Clinics should never compromise safety. Your first clinic will feel demanding, but it should not be chaotic.

Be creative…you will succeed… : 

28 Be creative…you will succeed… Success builds teamwork! One Oklahoma town has reduced their shelter intake of litters by roughly 90% through spay/ neuter efforts…you can do it too!

For more information… : 

29 For more information… The Oklahoma Spay Network, Inc. is happy to share our forms, educational and promotional materials, and to work with your organization to plan an “In-Clinic Clinic.” Several veterinarians in our network will offer information and tips on “In-Clinic Clinics” to veterinarians who are considering providing this service. Contact us at: ruthsteinberger@yahoo.com or call 918-367-8999 A warm thanks to Dr. Kay Helms, DVM, Dean Emeritus of the College of Agriculture at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK, Veterinary Advisor and mentor to this program. The Oklahoma Spay Network, Inc. is a project of Homeward Bound Humane Society of Durant, OK