Coalitions, Cooperation and Collaboration :Coalitions, Cooperation and Collaboration Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIM Director of Clinical Programs in Shelter Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Ithaca, NY


Cornerstones :Cornerstones Human-animal bond Animal welfare


The Human Animal Bond :The Human Animal Bond “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both. This includes, but is not limited to, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions...” Committee on the Human-Animal Bond JAVMA vol. 212, No. 11, p1675, June 1, 1998


What have animals meant to each of us in our own lives? :What have animals meant to each of us in our own lives?


Animal Welfare :Animal Welfare Companion animal welfare- homelessness National statistics 4-6 million euthanized annually 11-17 thousand/day 7 days/week 4-6 thousand shelters Local statistics Each day, animals come to us- many different lives, many different stories


Incomprehensible Truth :Incomprehensible Truth Members of the family To disposable


And, so we took a stand… :And, so we took a stand… Determined to make a difference We are shelter people We are rescuers We are spay/neuter folks We are cat trappers We are educators We are adoption counselors We are fund raisers


We care and feel a lot :We care and feel a lot Sometimes we are excited Sometimes we going to save the world Sometimes we are angry Sometimes we are very sad Sometimes, there is no time anything to feel anything--we have to get moving


Addressing the Welfare of the Surplus… :Addressing the Welfare of the Surplus… There are so many It never seems to end They just keep coming We hear them, we see them We comfort them We do our best for them


The only way to really address the welfare of the surplus is to prevent them from being there in the first place. :The only way to really address the welfare of the surplus is to prevent them from being there in the first place.


How do we do that? :How do we do that? Programs to decrease birthrates of cats and dogs Programs to help keep existing cats and dogs out of shelters and in their homes


Time for a story... :Time for a story...


Prevention is key! :Prevention is key! We need all solutions, but there must be a focus on prevention Prevention is the best medicine An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure


The American Pet Surplus :The American Pet Surplus A closer look at the problem…


Sources of Surplus Pets :Sources of Surplus Pets Unwanted litters Many dogs/cats are not spayed/neutered Low income areas Feral/free-roaming cats Cats, cats everywhere! Owner relinquished pets #1 reason = problem behavior


Public Policy on Surplus Pets :Public Policy on Surplus Pets Animal control Impoundment Holding Disposition Claim Adopt Euthanize $2 billion!


Billions are spent on finding cures, little is spent on prevention. :Billions are spent on finding cures, little is spent on prevention.


How do we prevent? :How do we prevent? Unwanted litters Many dogs/cats are not spayed/neutered Low income areas Feral/free-roaming cats Cats, cats everywhere! Owner relinquished pets #1 reason = problem behavior #1 risk factor = being sexually intact


The Value of Sterilization :The Value of Sterilization Welfare of the species Proactive, preventive measure Welfare of the individual Proven health benefits Females Virtually eliminates risk of breast tumors Eliminates risk of pyometra Eliminates risk of uterine and ovarian cancer Males Decreases prostate disease, hernias, perianal tumors Decreases fighting, roaming and spraying Eliminates risk of testicular cancer


Increasing Spay-Neuter Programs :Increasing Spay-Neuter Programs The central key to improving the welfare of cats and dogs Must be accessible, widely available Target the recognized sources of shelter impoundments and euthanasia Timing is key! Before adoption Before puberty


Target Low Income Owners :Target Low Income Owners Public Funding for S/N Spend tax payer money proactively (not reactively) Model government funded programs Private Funding for S/N Model private non-profit models Model private practices


We need these services in our communities… :We need these services in our communities… People have pets We subsidize animal control (sheltering and euthanasia) Why not subsidize and promote responsible care? Promotes animal welfare Promotes vet medicine In the long term, may help shape societal values Win-win-win!!!


“Enacting real change requires participation from us all.”Gus Thornton, DVM :“Enacting real change requires participation from us all.”Gus Thornton, DVM


How can we accomplish these? :How can we accomplish these?


Veterinarians, Humane Orgs, State and Local Gov’t, Citizens :Veterinarians, Humane Orgs, State and Local Gov’t, Citizens Coalitions, Cooperation and Collaboration


Meet my heros :Meet my heros


Those darn prolific cats… :Those darn prolific cats… Targeting cats in our efforts is important! Working with free roaming/feral cats is unique Special considerations for handling/capture Special medical and surgical considerations Fielding questions and concerns from caretakers and the public Sending messages by our actions and our programs


Feline Overpopulation :Feline Overpopulation More cats entering U.S. shelters than dogs Why are cats in trouble? Unique reproductive features Kittens have kittens Kittens with kittens have kittens Physical changes absent, nocturnal behavior Second class status Less care Less understand, few laws


Cat Numbers and Sources :Cat Numbers and Sources Owned cats: 81 million 30-90% spayed/neutered Many allowed to have a litter first Unowned free-roaming/stray/feral cats May be equal in number to owned cats <5% spayed/neutered


Feral Cats Defined :Feral Cats Defined Unowned free-roaming Must be trapped in order to be presented for care Not wildlife Food source, home base Touch barrier Continuum of lifestyles Millions feed cats Shelters- cause and effect of overpopulation


Free-Roaming and Feral Cats :Free-Roaming and Feral Cats Fact: millions of cats & people who feed Fact: cause and effect of overpopulation Fact: % sterilized dismally low Fact: efforts to address feline overpopulation MUST include management of feral cats Options: trap-euthanize, trap-neuter-return Controversy: public health, wildlife, welfare of the cats themselves, legal issues


Feral Cat Caretakers and the Bond :Feral Cat Caretakers and the Bond


What messages are we sending? :Societal norm: See cat Bring the cat to a shelter Call animal control Or do nothing Cats are disposable What messages are we sending?


What messages are we sending? :Societal norm: See cat Feed cat Spay/neuter cat Respect for life What messages are we sending?


We must come together for the cats :We must come together for the cats Coalitions, Cooperation and Collaboration


If you keep on doing what you’ve always done… :If you keep on doing what you’ve always done… You’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got. Municipal shelter in FL, recently began free TNR via a private partner >90% participation, increased LRR cats > 20% in first month of the program


Neuter Before Adoption :Neuter Before Adoption


Shelters Require S/N :Shelters Require S/N Contracts Incentives Deposits Coupons


Shelter Pets Reproduce :Shelter Pets Reproduce 10-60% non-compliance Even if 90% comply, 10% are reproducing! Manpower for follow-up Responsibility


Neuter Before Adoption :Neuter Before Adoption Including puppies and kittens As young as 6-8 weeks of age! Puts the power in the shelters hands Boosts S/N compliance to 100%


Set the Example for Responsible Pet Ownership! :Set the Example for Responsible Pet Ownership! Always neuter before adoption Ensures health benefits for the pet Ensure the pet will not reproduce Increases the chance the pet will become a permanent family member Fosters pride in staff knowing that they have ensured S-N for pets under their care NBA- including young puppies and kittens


What is the Ideal Age to S/N? :What is the Ideal Age to S/N? Unknown! Clinical sentiments, (not controlled studies) Have a litter first Have a heat period first Be spayed at 6 months


Onset of Puberty :Onset of Puberty Cats Dependent on age Time of year Social activity Dogs Breed


Timing IS everything! :Timing IS everything! Large proportion of cats and dogs that are eventually spayed have a litter (or two) first


Five Saves Lives :Five Saves Lives Private practitioners roll back the age of S-N from 6 months to 4-5 months Has the potential to prevent unplanned litters+ Health benefits for the individual PREVENT SPAY DELAY!


Spay/Neuter Before Puberty :Spay/Neuter Before Puberty In practice, S/N following standard vaccinations Guaranteed compliance (no ‘whoops litters’) Medically best for the individual and the species


Is it safe?? :Is it safe?? Many concerns Anesthetic and surgical risk Affects on body weight, growth, immune function, urinary tract disorders, incontinence, hormone imbalances, behavior, and more The data is in! Yes, it is safe and medically sound!


Reasons to Do Early Age S/N :Reasons to Do Early Age S/N No substantial medical reasons to wait Guaranteed compliance No “whoops litters” (pregnancies at <6 mos)


Endorsements :Endorsements American Humane Association (1991) American Veterinary Medical Association Humane Society of the United States American Animal Hospital Association American Kennel Club Cat Fanciers Association


Scientific Advancements:Non-surgical Methods of Sterilization :Scientific Advancements:Non-surgical Methods of Sterilization Spay-neuter without surgery! Safe, effective alternatives to surgical sterilization are on the horizon They will be a part of the solution Applaud those working on this Support them! Join the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs


Veterinarians :Veterinarians The truth about vet school Shelter medicine programs Training vet students is our future, our hope!


National Spay/Neuter Task Forceof Veterinarians :National Spay/Neuter Task Forceof Veterinarians ASPCA and PETsMART Charities Convened a group of veterinarians in 12/06 To advance high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter Association of Shelter Veterinarians


National Spay/Neuter Task Forceof Veterinarians :National Spay/Neuter Task Forceof Veterinarians Tasks: Publish Practice Guidelines for S/N Additional resources online Epidemiologic studies to measure impact Recruitment and training methods Guidelines for working with veterinary community


22 Veterinarians :22 Veterinarians Representing academic and private practice, all models of S/N programs, all regions of the country Leslie Appel, Mark Bohling, Karla Brestle, Phil Bushby, Susan Eddlestone, Kelly Farrell, Nancy Ferguson, Brenda Griffin, Lisa Howe, Ellen Jefferson, Julie Levy, Andi Looney, Michael Moyer, Sandra Newbury, Melissa Saxton, Jan Scarlett, Dave Sweeney, Kathy Tyson, Adrie Voors, Jim Weedon, Sara White and Christine Wilford


Veterinarians Working Together :Veterinarians Working Together Coalitions, Cooperation and Collaboration


Time for one last story… :Time for one last story…


What messages do our programs send?What messages do we want to send? :What messages do our programs send?What messages do we want to send?


Timing IS everything! :Timing IS everything!


My Herosare all of you…You have enormouscaring and courage. :My Herosare all of you…You have enormouscaring and courage.


State wide networking:an efficient and effective way to build coalitions, cooperation and collaborations! :State wide networking:an efficient and effective way to build coalitions, cooperation and collaborations!


If you keep on doing what you’ve always done… :If you keep on doing what you’ve always done… You’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got.


In many ways, I am plain tired and weary of thinking about sheltering them all. Let’s just spay them and give them back. Let’s enable people to do the right thing. :In many ways, I am plain tired and weary of thinking about sheltering them all. Let’s just spay them and give them back. Let’s enable people to do the right thing.


Here’s to you! :Here’s to you! Encourage you in your life saving efforts Challenge you to emphasize prevention I know you will enjoy meeting some of the heros here this weekend


Together, we make a difference.We have to--they are counting on us. :Together, we make a difference.We have to--they are counting on us.


Respect for Life :Respect for Life ANIMALS ARE NOT DISPOSABLE. In all we do, we must send this message.