PAWS to Thnk, Volume 1 issue 3 by sayhfdec

Paws to Think

Autumn 2002 Volume 1, Issue 3 www.petsavers.org

contents Letter From The Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What’s News? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 CHAMP 2002 Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Early Age Neutering: Perfect For Every Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Working With Public Health Departments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Letters To The Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 It’s Not Goodbye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Special Thanks to The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, A KeyBank Trust, for their generous support!

The Pet Savers Foundation proud parent organization of SPAY/USA • host of the annual Conference on Homeless Animal Management and Policy Headquarters 2261 Broadbridge Avenue Stratford, CT 06614-3898 203-377-1116 • 203-375-6627 fax

info@petsavers.org www.petsavers.org All inquiries should be directed to the administrative office

Administrative Office 59 South Bayles Avenue Port Washington, NY 11050-3728 516-883-7767 • 516-944-5035 fax

For advertising rates and information, please contact Christine Treiland at 516.944.6726, or by e-mail at christinet@petsavers.org

1 (800) 248-SPAY SPAY/USA Administrative Office: 2261 Broadbridge Avenue Stratford, CT 06614-3898 203-377-1116 • 203-375-6627 fax www.spayusa.org alwaysspay@aol.com Esther Mechler, Director

Conference on Homeless Animal Management and Policy CHAMP Administrative Office: 59 South Bayles Avenue Port Washington, NY 11050-3728 516-883-7767 • 516-944-5035 fax www.champconference.org info@champconference.org Christine Treiland, Production Manager

Paws to Think is an official publication of The Pet Savers Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at 59 S. Bayles Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050. The Pet Savers Foundation promotes the no-kill philosophy and advocates for humane organizations to improve their management skills while developing effective working relationships with other animal welfare organizations. Paws to Think is published quarterly each year without charge for friends of The Pet Savers Foundation and for humane organizations throughout the United States. Our circulation exceeds 17,000.

Letter From The Editor

Esther Mechler

I found so many programs that were working to help animals, one of them was right in Reno! A mobile spay/neuter clinic that is making a difference, not only within the city of Reno, but in the outlying rural areas of the Nevada desert where veterinarian services had previously been difficult to come by. It was an upbeat, motivational conference that made everyone know they make a difference for animals. If you missed out on this wonderful event, mark your calendar now! CHAMP will be in St. Louis, Missouri from July 31 through August 3, 2003! September marks the debut of the long-awaited, much needed spay/neuter stamp. We are absolutely delighted that the stamps portray a spayed KITTEN and a neutered PUPPY! It is the perfect endorsement of the important "new" technique of pre-pubertal ("early", "juvenile") spay/neuter techniques. Dr. Marvin Mackie, one of the leading proponents of this technique to end cat/dog overpopulation, has written a strong plea for vets to use this method and has given permission for us to use it as a feature in this issue. Readers are encouraged to copy the article and donate the copies to their favorite local veterinarians! In July, SPAY/USA was represented at the annual meeting for the National Association of Local Boards of Health. The professionals there were warm and welcoming, encouraging us to work with them on the community health problems of stray animals and the threat of rabies. Forging positive links with these officials has led to improvements for companion animals in many communities. The SPAY/USA Southern Leadership Conference will be in October in New Orleans ... we hope to see representatives from all the Southern states there. Focus will be on working with public agencies and fundraising and networking to forge statewide programs. Best wishes,

Esther Mechler Director of SPAY/USA A Program of The Pet Savers Foundation

1 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

PHOTO BY PAT LAMBERT

I just returned from CHAMP, the Conference on Homeless Animal Management and Policy in Reno, Nevada! More than 540 people from around the world attended, with more than 90 presenters and 78 exhibit booths ... this was the best CHAMP yet! With more than 52 workshops and seminars, CHAMP had something for everyone. One of the most amazing aspects was the diversity of the attendees from all facets of animal welfare; all sharing ideas and concepts to help homeless animals. CHAMP also had attendees who came a very long way to learn and to share their ideas from as far away as India, Costa Rica, Japan and more.

Committed to building long, healthy relationships.

2 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

e ws? N s ’t

News From Spain Though it takes time for word to get around, our TNR program is slowly taking off. Sometimes we're requested to go in and trap the cats ourselves (we did this at the Archaeological Museum), but increasingly we loan our humane capture cages to the feral colony's caregiver, who brings the animals into the shelter two or three at a time to be tested for possible disease then neutered and returned. With the exception of the Archaeological Museum, however, the response of the municipal government to the cat overpopulation problem is quite literally "overkill". At the same time that members of the Board continue conversing/negotiating with Madrid authorities (the "Ayuntamiento"), others from ALBA join volunteers from a number of other animal protection groups at a weekly peaceful demonstration (Argentine style, armed only with pots and pans) to protest the inhumane extermination of feral colonies thoughout

In each issue of Paws to Think, we will feature developments in animal welfare that are taking place around the country and the world. Contributions are welcome and encouraged, and may be submitted to Esther Mechler at alwaysspay@aol.com or Jennifer Reimels at jenniferr@petsavers.org.

Madrid by the municipal control authorities. The most recent target for feral extermination is the Canal Isabel II Park. In early 2002, over 600,000 signatures (small by US standards, but almost a record in Spain) were collected to protest animal abuse and, as a result, three resolutions were presented to Spain's Parliament to make extreme animal abuse a criminal offense (which it is in other Western European countries). The motion was voted down by the majority party, which promised to "study" the issue ... still no results. Our presence in the Gallery (backed by all major animal protection groups in Spain) didn't serve for much, but it did give us some satisfaction. (See photo below that was published in "El País" on April 24th.)

I know many people find demonstrations (even peaceful ones) distasteful, but politically speaking they can come to have a positive effect. At any rate, we'll continue trying to advance the cause of our four-legged friends as best we can on all fronts, hoping that future generations will have a changed mentality. Once again, many thanks for your note and best regards from sunny Spain. Anne Dart • Francisco Suárez 14, Séptimo D • 28036 Madrid • SPAIN

News From California Texas Ingenuity is California Bound

Though Spain makes claims to be part of industrialized Europe, in terms of animal protection it's truly "Third World".

The Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), a Houston-based humane organization working to prevent homeless animals through innovative spay/neuter programs, announced that the City of Los Angeles awarded the Texas not-forprofit organization a $1.5 million contract over three years to spay and neuter dogs and cats who are part of low-income Los Angeles

families. SNAP will utilize its pioneering "spay and neuter clinic on wheels" technology to sterilize approximately 5,000 dogs and cats each year for qualifying lowincome families during the contract term. SNAP developed the nation’s first mobile spay and neuter clinic in Houston, Texas in 1993 and today operates five mobile clinic facilities in addition to two stationary clinics, in Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Monterrey, Mexico. SNAP provided direct care to 39,092 dogs and cats last year alone. With the addition of the Los Angeles clinic and expansion of the Monterrey program, SNAP will care for more than 50,000 animals this year. Facing public pressure to reduce the escalating number of homeless animals destroyed in LA city animal shelters each year, the City of Los Angeles enacted a historical ordinance increasing the cost to license unaltered dogs from $30 to $100. In addition to the increased license fees, owners desiring to breed dogs or cats must pay a $100 fee to obtain a breeder’s permit under the new regulations. The cost to license a sterilized dog remains only $10. In addition to the landmark Pet Overpopulation Ordinance, the cont’d on page 5

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What’s News? – cont’d from page 3

City of Los Angeles appropriated funding in its budget to provide spaying and neutering services for animals living in families that could not afford care through private veterinarians. Spaying and neutering services will be provided free of charge to animals from income-qualified families only. A private donor in Los Angeles paid for building and equipping the mobile clinic that will be operated by SNAP. "This is the first time that a major US city has dedicated funding of this magnitude specifically to address the crisis of dog and cat overpopulation," says Sean Hawkins, Executive Director of SNAP. "SNAP’s strict adherence to the highest humane, ethical and veterinary medical standards is unsurpassed …" For information about SNAP, the organization dedicated to "saving lives through prevention," contact (800) 762-7762 or visit www.snaptx.org.

News From Kansas Using pet food as leverage and motivator to get pets fixed. Critter Care is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization, which provides spay/neuter assistance to those that cannot afford it in Topeka, Kansas. Our slogan Neutering: "fixing" a community problem. Let's Help is a United Way agency providing emergency assistance – food, clothing, etc. Two years ago, Critter Care was given extra pet food. We turned it

over to Let's Help to distribute. Giving pet food to people whose pets are not spayed/neutered, however, is just giving them fuel to encourage their pets to have more litters. This is against Critter Care's mission of abolishing pet overpopulation. We have now arranged the procedure so that only those whose pets are neutered may receive pet food from Let's Help. If the clientele of Let's Help cannot afford food and clothing, they probably cannot afford to pay for neutering. In these cases, Critter Care picks up the entire tab for the neuter/spay. Normally Critter Care asks for a minimal fee. Initially this is more expensive, but cheaper than having to help with another litter! Let's Help has signed a contract stating that they will give pet food to those cleared by Critter Care. They have also posted a sign stating "To get pet food, your pet needs to be spayed/neutered" – and to call Critter Care. Critter Care provides a list of those cleared for food. Some have already had their pets fixed. In these cases, Critter Care confirms with the veterinarian and then clears them for the lists. If the client had the spaying in some other city or such a long time ago that documentation is not available, a signed affidavit suffices. We have spayed 55 pets. Some of our clients have never been to a veterinarian. One did not even know what a veterinarian was. These people are now going, at least once, and some pets are also getting shots. Some are grateful for the chance to get their pet fixed and also get the food. For some, the food is an incentive; they did not want to get their pet neutered but agreed to do so to get the food. In a couple of cases, people

have declined to neuter to get the food! We struggle to get pet food and want to include it in the food drives. Some ask why distribute pet food when people need the food? Although Critter Care exists to help animals; it is the people who call. We have not had a single call from a dog or cat. In other words people get collateral help. Some people have even said they give up their food for their pet! Giving pet food makes sure both the pet and person eat the right food. Jean Barton• Critter Care - 785478-9985 •Email: jbarton505@aol.com

News From New Jersey Roundtable discussion with Senator Torricelli July 20th, 2002 animal advocates from all over NJ met with Senator Robert Torricelli to discuss animal protection issues. Various topics included puppy mills; downed animals; black bears; deer; geese; canned hunts; animal fighting and companion animal issues.

Reported by: Shari Wexler, DTFA Regional Rep for NJ

News From New York Spring Farm CARES in Clinton New York Breaks Records with Happy Hearth Spay/Neuter and TNV&R Programs Between September 1999 and July 2002, more than 25,000 dogs and cats have been spayed through the Spring Farm Cares program in Clinton. Launched in September of 1999, and having effected the spay/neuter of more than 30,000 animals throughout a six-county area in Central New York State by the end of 2002, places Spring Farm CARES among the top spay/neuter programs in the nation! The Happy Hearth Spay/Neuter Program offers low or no cost spay/neuter to all who genuinely need the service, and

Senator Torricelli Dr. Greg Jamrosz of New Hartford Animal Hospital in Washington Mills, NY is the person responsible for coordiindicated that the majority of letters he nating, organization and recruiting all veterinarians for the Feral Cat Clinics held each month at Spring Farm CARES receives from constituents regarded puppy mills and operates through a voucher system animal fighting. It was an interestcoordinated with dozens of particiing forum, and one which we pating veterinarians. hope will bring more attention to the needs of animals in NJ. cont’d on page 7

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What’s News? – cont’d from page 5

Additionally, with the help of marvelous local veterinarian volunteers, Spring Farm CARES maintains a Feral Cat Trap/Neuter/ Vaccination/Return program. Once each month, caregivers and volunteers humanely trap 30 to 50 ferals. Our sanctuary is dramatically converted to areas for receiving, anesthesia, surgery; post-op and recovery. After altering, ears are tipped for recognition of altering, ears are cleaned, shots given, and any medical problems seen to. Also, good candidates for taming and adoption are usually kept. All others remain in cages for several days of post-operative care and are then released back into their colonies where food and shelter are provided.

A volunteer tends to a feral cat during one of the monthly clinics held at Spring Farm CARES

As we all understand, SFC’s major strides in spay/neuter are just the tip of the pet overpopulation iceberg, even in our current targeted six-county area. The 30,000 altered animals have only just begun to affect local incoming shelter populations. We assume a five to ten year concerted campaign before the local population stabilizes largely into a population of wanted animals with loving homes to care for them all. All in all though, the future looks bright for companion animals here in Central New York.

News From Oklahoma Ruth Steinberger is working on a statewide survey of Oklahoma, a project funded by the Two Mauds Foundation. She is calling each of the 77 counties in Oklahoma to determine what municipal animal shelters exist within that county. Very few have county-wide shelters of any kind, but most have one or two small towns that operate some way to hold dogs (until euthanized). Virtually none of these accept dogs from outside of the town they are in, so most of the state has no services. This informa-

tion will be compiled into a resources map of the state of what is where for companion animals within Oklahoma.

encourages them to try to find a vet, or vets, who will take $40.00 per surgery and then to plan a program around that.

Ruth determines if there is an official or unofficial humane society within the county. Most say no, but for those that say yes, the next step is to contact that person or group. The bright side is that in the few places in which such groups exist, there are some awesome people. She has encountered people who have struggled alone, and are true heroes for animals. As these groups now begin to network, they can do a lot to assist each other. Ruth’s efforts are strictly focused on bringing S/N programs to rural areas that have virtually no services, since there are programs in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Only one of the rescue groups discovered outside these cities so far has a spay/neuter program.

What this does is take groups now focusing on rescue efforts on a giant leap to readiness for grant applications for spay/neuter. This is better than waiting until they are ready to start investigating S/N years from now; they will have what they need to roll. All of them realize that S/N programs/clinics will be the easiest and most effective thing they can do to prevent problems.

If it is an organized group (or oneperson effort that is fairly organized) she arranges to meet with them if they want to implement a S/N program. Thus far, all have said yes. Ruth helps them find vets to approach, figure out the logistics of transportation (them or the owners, which depends on the distance to the vet), help them look for sources of grants for S/ N, and then get appointments. She

Some drawbacks are that the very poor parts of the state actually lack vets, and of those few that practice, most won't help out. Within the next year or two, in order to serve the state and get to the areas that need this the most, Oklahoma will have to look at mobile spay clinics. But first we need to know what we have and what we are looking at. This mapping is moving a bit slower than anticipated. A lot of the calls turn into referrals to other calls as the county clerk needs to refer to someone else who might know about a humane society, etc. This is the beginning of SPAY/OKLAHOMA!

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CHAMP

2002 Recap

If you were not in Reno, Nevada, on August 22-25, 2002 you missed the best CHAMP conference yet! Over 540 people from around the world came to Reno to hear the latest ideas and concepts to help homeless animals. Over 78 exhibitors, 90 presenters and 540 attendees in all! CHAMP attendees enjoy a healthy breakfast

CHAMP’s bustling Exhibit Hall

Representatives from Idaho network at the Meet Your State Mates Event

With all the workshops and events it was hard to keep track of everything! The meal functions were overall very well received, most agreed the food was excellent and some even commented they felt they had gained weight! We will continue to work to improve upon our meal functions for next year! The networking socials, starting with the exhibit reception on Thursday evening, were very well attended with over 78 exhibit booths, lots of food, refreshments and good company ... everyone seemed to be having a good time. As one participant put it, “We had so many people walking around and talking, it was such an enjoyable first night, we couldn’t wait until tomorrow!” The exhibitors went above and beyond to ensure they had the latest programs; items; and products available to attendees. We want to thank all our CHAMP exhibitors and invite each and every one of them to participate in CHAMP next year in St. Louis! The Meet Your State Mates event on Friday, August 23 brought everyone together in a relaxing environment, with music, food, refreshments and hundreds of people working together to help homeless animals. Everyone talked and laughed and helped each other, it was a very enjoyable evening for all! Everyone was excited and eager to dance at the Gala Dinner, but we had some things we wanted to discuss. First, Linda R. Harper, Author of "Giving To Your Hearts Content, Without Giving Yourself Away," shared a wonderful and motivational story, which lifted all our hearts. We then gave out two "Making a World of Difference" awards to Hope Tarr, Ph.D. and

Lynda Foro. Hope, whose tireless efforts resulted in the first spay/neuter social awareness postage stamp and Lynda, whose efforts on behalf of homeless animals CHAMP was built on. After a long day of workshops, what attendees needed was a fun, relaxing dinner! “When we walked into the Gala, it felt like we were in the country!” With the assistance of the Reno Hilton Hotel, we were able to make everyone feel like they had just stepped off a buggy and onto a wonderful country ranch. With great food and a super band, the Country Kickers, everyone lined up to learn the latest line dances and had a ball! On Sunday, Maddie’s held their pet rally, which was fun and interactive for everyone! Then they held their luncheon and from what we heard, everyone had a wonderful time. The Compassion Fatigue workshop was one of the most well received workshops and the evaluations were very positive ... “I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to attend this workshop. It has motivated me in ways I never thought possible.” Overall, everyone seemed very happy to be at CHAMP and all enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing old friends. We reminded everyone of all that they do for homeless animals and thanked them for their efforts. Our presenters, who I cannot thank enough, shared their knowledge and made themselves available throughout the conference and they all made a world of difference! Last but not least, a huge thank you to all our attendees, whose participation made CHAMP the fun, interactive event that it was. Thanks to all of you for making a difference! The evaluations are still coming in, but rest assured, we will be working hard on improving CHAMP for 2003! cont’d on page 9

Two search & rescue dogs take a break

8 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Thank You to all of our sponsors!

CHAMP 2002 Recap • cont’d from page 8

So if you did not join us in Reno, and I know all the attendees would agree, you missed the BEST conference ever! Join us in St. Louis Missouri, July 31-August 3, 2003! Check out our Web site to find out more information, but until then: We hope to see you in St. Louis!

Don’t take our word for it ... read just some of what the CHAMP 2002 attendees had to say . . . “I appreciate the opportunity to come and meet so many like-minded people!” “I appreciated how open and comfortable I felt. I received no "judgments" from anyone, only praise, support and great ideas.” “I liked that there were a lot of workshop opportunities in a schedule that allowed plenty of time for rest, walks, exhibit time and networking.” “CHAMP helped give me new ideas; resources, support and helped put our own situation in perspective.”

Campbell Pet Company

www.petfinder.com

“I brought an animal control officer from my county and couldn’t have asked for more, she was so well received and motivated.” “People must attend! I guess if they won’t, then it’s up to us to affect positive changes in our communities by working together ... I’m energized for another year!” “It’s great to know that everyone else goes through the same as you do everyday. And that they have such great ideas to solve similar problems; I’m pumped to go back and implement all that I’ve learned!” “Best Conference I’ve ever attended!” “I loved the atmosphere of positive ‘can-do.’” “I had a hard time deciding on which workshop to attend! Great variety.” “The diversity of the attendees – it was amazing to see so many people from different areas of animal welfare under one roof!” “The presenters were so gracious about sharing ideas, and networking with everyone days after their presentations were done. The fact that they made you feel that you could just walk up and ask a question was great!”

9 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

we’re here to help you Grow your programs with: • Grants • Sponsorships • In-store Adoption Facilities and Aid • Disaster Relief Assistance More than a million pets have found loving homes through our PETsMART Charities Adoption Centers since 1994. We have provided more than $18 million in funding to animal agencies like yours. Whether you need support for adoptions outreach, spay/neuter promotions, pet training or identification programs, PETsMART Charities is here to help you help pets in need. Find out how to participate by calling us at 1-800-423-PETS or visit our website at www.petsmartcharities.org. A partnership with us is truly a partnership for life!

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Sam Campbell Chats With A Visitor Lynda Foro And Her Regional Representatives

Kat Chaplin Of AHISMA Of Texas Promotes Spay/Neuter With Humor

A Happy Winner Of One Of The Many Door Prizes

Attendees Enjoy A Free Reiki Session

Tammy Welcomes Everyone To CHAMP 2002

Pets 911, Exhibitor And Sponsor

Hill’s Science Diet, Exhibitor And Sponsor

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Early Age Neutering: Perfect For Every Practice by W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M., Animal Birth Control, San Pedro, CA Presented at The North American Veterinary Conference 2000, Orlando, Florida, January 18, 2000 In 1987, Leo L. Lieberman, D.V.M., authored an illuminating study entitled "A Case for Neutering Pups and Kittens at Two Months of Age." As background, he brought together information from the few individual practitioners and four humane shelters that were routinely neutering juveniles (3 to 5 months) and neophytes (8 to 12 weeks). His study was punctuated with references to 8 to 12 week old subjects, and was, for all practical purposes, the formal introduction to our profession of "Early Age Neutering". The term quickly came to mean any elective surgical sterilization on a dog or cat at less than the conventional age of six months or more. The negative response of our profession to his article was way out of proportion to the mere suggestion that we re-look at an empirical decision to sterilize the dog and cat younger than six months of age. The concern over change manifested itself in many ways: first, the Henny Penny ("the sky is falling") syndrome; second, a created listing of all those things that might possibly go wrong; and finally, the emotional response that elective surgery on the pup and kitten is somehow unconscionable, barbaric, unwholesome and down-right ghoulish. There are several indications that early age neutering is not a new concept, but rather, one that has not yet entered into the mainstream of our small animal practice. Early in this century, reference was made to the suture-less spay in two-month old pets. In 1950, my family’s working farm pup was mail ordered and arrived spayed at three and a half months. However, while in veterinary school in the early 1960’s, I was taught that six to eight months was the appropriate age for spay/neuter surgery. Strangely, no studies to support this have been discovered. When I first read Dr. Lieberman’s article, I had no trouble with the concept of early age spay/neuter. Having grown up on an Idaho farm, the neutering of young farm animals was commonplace to me. I had witnessed first-

hand the normal and healthy development of all types of farm animals neutered at a young age. This positive bias toward early age spay/neuter also stems from my concern regarding the pet overpopulation problem and the fact that my practice (four clinics) is limited to spay/neuter work. Early age spay/neuter has become vital to shelters, both public and private, rescue groups and foster care givers who embrace the neuter before adoption (NBA) policy in their efforts to help curb pet overpopulation. Since youngsters are far easier to place, early age neutering affords these agencies an advantage in their adoption efforts. Given a choice, an adoption client will choose the neutered pet over the un-neutered pet. Breeders, too, benefit from early age spay/neuter by neutering their non-breeding stock of young pups and kittens prior to selling them. Progress in anesthesia over the last 20 years has blessed our profession with several incredible injectable compounds and two truly fine inhalant compounds. The injectables (Ketaset, Telazol, Rompum, Acepromazine, and Valium) can even be mixed for further enhancement of the perfect anesthetic plane for surgery. In lesser doses (considered pre-op levels), the injectables can be topped up with low levels of Halothane or Isoflourine. In 1994, a small, informal publication by the Association of Animal Shelter Veterinarians published a listing of eleven different anesthesia protocols then being used. Most were in combinations and every combination was listed. Each has its devotees. It was clear to me that whatever protocol you are using for mildly invasive, short, well-animal surgery could and should be adapted for the more youthful juvenile or neophyte sterilization patient as well. It is more important that you be familiar and comfortable with your anesthesia/patient responses than to adapt to a colleague’s protocol. Using your own protocol, simply dose back for your smallest patient. The amazing tolerance of the pre-pubescents to anesthesia and the surgical procedure itself is best illustrated in the report of a study by Texas A & cont’d on page 13

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Early Age Neutering • cont’d from page 12

M wherein senior veterinary students, in a teaching environment, performed spay/neuters on 1,988 subjects ranging in age from eight weeks to over five months. The study was designed to report the short-term complications, i.e. complications experienced at surgery or those that developed within the next seven days. The incidence of complications was very low for all classes and technically the lowest for the less than 12 weeks of age group. This observation speaks well for itself. However, what really stands out is the length of time these teaching patients were under anesthesia during prep and surgery. Rounding off for brevity, females were "in surgery" for 60 minutes +/- 23 minutes, males for 21 minutes +/- 17 minutes. This is an astonishingly long period of time! It certainly points out the youngsters’ resilience and ability to tolerate the procedure. Since an expected surgical time is 10 to 20 minutes, this study should be extremely valuable as a confidence builder for the uneasy practitioner. From the moment the Lieberman article was published, various studies and considerable posturing pro and con has been on going. My presentation is not designed to be a review of the studies, but rather a look at where we are now and what it means to you, the practitioner. To the surprise of most observers, including researchers, nothing has come to light that would suggest red flags necessitating a return to the six to eight month guideline. There were differences between the un-neutered and neutered subjects but not between those neutered at 7-weeks and those neutered at 7-months.

totally known to you and are ready. In most cases, the surgery for dogs will take place with the rabies vaccination at four months. This works out nicely as one trip to your office includes the last vaccination, neuter, certificate of sterility and certificate of rabies. The neutered dog is then ready to license, which in most areas is at a reduced fee. Everyone wins! The surgery for cats will most likely be at three months. At my clinics, when a client calls regarding the best time to spay/neuter their three month or older cat/dog, we answer with, "Now is the perfect time." Most clients readily accept their veterinarian’s confident recommendation of an early age spay/neuter. What is so vital here is that the client come in now rather than be delayed a few months. Pet owners have a busy home life, which equals procrastination and forgetfulness and before they know it, estrous has struck. Most clients are not prepared to understand the single mindedness of purpose and the degree to which their pet will go to effect a union. This quite often results in one of those 20% "oops" litters. House arrest is not an effective method of pet birth control. With what we know now, we can help the client avoid this human procrastination trap, and we must, since the cost in client anxiety and pet overpopulation is so vital. The most recent position statement by the AVMA gives direction, importance and comfort to all involved.

In an article in DVM Magazine, Dr. Johnny Hoskins, DVM, PhD, ACUIM, and author of Veterinary Pediatrics, referred to a legitimate list of concerns. He offered that there is "…no evidence in the literature to support claims that early age sterilization increases risk." Additionally, he states," … the advantages far out-weigh the risks." I know of six telephone surveys, all of which are quite close in results. About 85% of cats and 70% of dogs in pet owning households were reported as neutered (which sounds pretty good); however, in response to the question of whether female dogs and cats had litters before the spay, 20% of the owners said " Yes, one or more!" I want to point out to you why early neutering is perfect for your practice. Those of us who are providing Neuter Before Adoption (NBA) for shelters and care groups are only accessing 10-15% of all newly acquired pets: 8590% of the pets are acquired from other sources and, most likely, are unneutered. Ideally, many of these pets will be coming to your hospital for their early health care. What makes early age spay/neuter so appropriate is that neutering can be scheduled as part of your well-care package. The plan is that the veterinarians and staff speak enthusiastically and with a presumed assumption that the presented pet will be getting its respective spay or castration with the last vaccination of the series. By then, these pets are

The American Veterinary Medical Association in its Position on Early-Age (Prepubertal) Spay/Neuter of Dogs and Cats, approved by its Executive Board in April, 1999 "… Resolved, that the AVMA supports the concept of early (prepubertal, 8 to 16 weeks of age) gonadectomy in dogs and cats, in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals of these species. Just as for other veterinary procedures, veterinarians should use their best medical judgement in deciding at what age gonadectomy should be performed on individual animals." cont’d on page 15

13 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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Early Age Neutering • cont’d from page 13

So, we are now armed with the knowledge that there is a societal and client need to reduce the risk of accidental ("oops") litters by absolute prepubertal neutering. Also, we have the assurance of multiple studies providing evidence of development similar to the traditionally-aged patient. Without a doubt, it is time to thoughtfully bring early age neutering into your practice. To all practitioners who first think of moving from six months to six weeks, the task can be a bit daunting. We seemingly have the perception that something so small and cuddly must also be delicate and therefore tolerate a minimal latitude for error. Quite the opposite, these furry little creatures are marvelously resilient and quickly recover from this relatively short procedure. For the age grouping from four months and older for pups and three months and older for kittens, there are no special needs or concerns. You may use your established anesthetic protocol and general elective surgery instructions to the client. In the pre-pubescent, the discoveries you will find in surgery, without exception, are: 1. Less bleeding 2. Excellent visualization 3. Elastic tissue for easy ligature placement 4. Everything in miniature and prepubescent; therefore, less stitching and less time required. 5. Fewer drugs required 6. Quicker recoveries with less patient discomfort 7. Near zero complications 8. Less healing time 9. Delighted clients This list is powerfully positive. I’d ask you to visualize a four-month-old Rottweiller female weighing approximately 40 pounds. Now visualize her at 14 to 16 months, full bodied and active and weighing 90 pounds. The clients don’t want her to go through another heat. Which would you rather spay today? A three-month-old female kitten’s uterine horn literally jumps into the spay hook. I hear the anguish from colleagues lamenting over fat and/or the estrous engorged uterus of a one-year-old queen. Waiting seems ill-considered when a 12-week surgery is within your recommendation.

No presentation about early age neutering would be complete without encouragement and discussion of the neophyte patient, i.e., 7 to 12 weeks of age. Not every practice needs to move into this special age group, however, there are organizations that need a few hospitals in their area that will provide this service. By way of example, in California, as of January 1, 2000, in counties of over 100,000 population, all shelters (public or private) and rescue groups must spay or neuter dogs and cats before adoption or collect a deposit of not less than $40. In addition, the medically delayed animal must be neutered within 30 days. If there are no veterinary clinics in an area willing to step forward for these clients, veterinarians collectively are going to get some bad press. Conversely, the hospital that steps up to neuter neophytes will most likely have a client for life, on-going work and revenue. Everyone else will be on the sidelines. This work is a great practice builder and a public relations winner. Be mindful of physiological and mechanical differences in the special needs for the neophytes but don’t stress yourself about them. These patients need some morning food; i.e. a small feeding, about half of normal, two to three hours before surgery. Their glycogen reserves need to be replenished frequently. Offer food again about one hour after surgery. Almost always, they will eat and what a great feeling that is to see! Keep the neophytes in a thermal neutral environment. Their large body surface area compared to their core weight makes them vulnerable to temperature extremes. Don’t put the patient in a cold ward, on stainless steel, or in front of air conditioning ducts. A simple terry cloth towel on the prep and surgery tables is enough to prevent heat loss, and during recovery, cover with a light towel. Don’t over-wet hair with cold prep solution (evaporation cools). These are just good housing practices, simple enough to accomplish without interruption to your routine. There are several things to expect that you may not have experienced in surgeries of older pets. Since the neophyte’s oxygen consumption is two to three times greater than adults, and their sympathetic nervous system is not well developed, the young patient compensates by increased (rapid) heart rates (200+ beats per minute) and respiratory rates (15 to 35 per minute.) These are normal. I suggest that you get comfortable with kittens cont’d on page 16

15 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Early Age Neutering • cont’d from page 15

first (predictably easier). In some female pups the uterus can be illusive: at worst, extend incision caudally, then reflect bladder in order to see it. Some pups will have a significant amount of abdominal fluid (a normal transudate), not the bladder contents, which is often first surmised. My intention is to encourage you to see how, by moving back your recommended age for neutering cats and dogs, you can be of help to yourselves, your patients, your clients (individuals, shelters, caregivers) and local communities. For those of you who wish additional information, you can get a compilation of all works to date in the article by Lisa M. Howe, DVM, PhD, titled "Prepubertal Gonadectomy in Dogs and Cats", Parts 1 and 2, Compendium, February and March, 1999. This is a straight forward, "easy read" article and an excellent overview of early age spay/neuter past and present. The important thing is to believe in yourself and just get started!

W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M. Owner/Director Animal Birth Control Clinics c/o 450 Arcadia Drive San Pedro, California 90731 (310) 547-4750 His manual, Establishing and Maintaining a Low-Cost Community Spay & Neuter Clinic, is available for $50.00 Dr. Mackie is also available for consultation and surgical/technique tips Email: spaydvm@aol.com

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16 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Working With Public Health Departments! by Esther Mechler, Director, SPAYUSA Public health officials are trained to think in terms of preventing problems – a perfect match for those of us who promote spay/neuter in order to prevent unwanted litters. They are also trained to work in creative, collaborative ways with traditional and new partners to improve environmental health. The problem of domestic animal overpopulation exists in nearly every community. In the past, however, people concerned with the well-being of cats/dogs have too often either ignored – or even been in an antagonistic relationship with – their local public health officials. Developing a relationship and communicating in a positive, solution-oriented manner will help to create a healthy private/public partnership amongst citizens, nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies. We need to educate public health agencies on how we can assist them in solving the companion animal overpopulation issue on a local level. For instance, they may not be aware that documentation exists that demonstrates a direct correlation between aggressive (high volume) spay/neuter programs and a decline in the surplus of cats and dogs. Health Departments receive complaints about strays, must field these complaints and concerns, deal with the threat of rabies and other zoonotic diseases, and find effective strategy to address these problems. Beginning with a pilot program in SPAY/USA’s own back yard, we have established a very positive and mutually beneficial relationship with our own local public health officials. Having experienced the support of our public health department and the wonderful help they have given to help solve the problem, I offer the following tips for others who may be interested: • Select one professional person to be the liaison with public health the department is busy, gets many calls, and fields many problems daily – they do not need a flood of calls or representatives. • Keep in mind that your public health officials may have had bad experiences with cat problems – hoarders and collectors. This is your opportunity to educate them about your goals and overall mission, which is to greatly reduce the number of stray and feral animals and ultimately end overpopulation. If you are working with felines, you check for illness, remove and socialize feral kittens and homeless, friendly cats, then re-home them, and reduce the numbers of felines in the community, all of which contributes to the solution.

• Find out about the issues at your local health department – what are its other issues (other than animals) that need attention? Currently some of these issues include bioterrorism threats, anthrax, poisoning of water systems, AIDS and local response to weapons of mass destruction. We need that perspective to understand their time and budget constraints. Since rabies is one of their concerns, inform your health department that your spay/neuter program includes rabies vaccinations, if this is the case. This is an excellent tie-in with their objectives. • Is there anyone in the department who knows/cares about companion animals? Maybe it is best to begin by talking with them and providing them with information – if they are well-regarded in the department. • Gather local statistics and statistics from comparable areas that have successfully dealt with dog/cat over population. Prepare a folder of data. Public Health Departments rely on hard data. • Go in with a positive and open attitude when you get your first appointment. First impressions are important; a nonprofessional appearance or a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude can reduce the likelihood that the department will want to work with you/your group. • Know what you would like to achieve (your goals) and how you can reasonably expect the department could work with you (strategies) keeping in mind their budget, time, and staff constraints. You may receive a few thousand dollars toward a spay/neuter program, the endorsement of public officials, a better program, and a far swifter achievement of your goals than you ever could have managed alone. • Contact Alley Cat Allies for background information on working with agencies. They have a short video designed to inform city officials, veterinarians and others about the benefits of TNR (The Humane Solution); such fact sheets such as "Community Benefits of Feral Cats," "Do’s and Don’t of Relocation," "Taming Feral Kittens" and "Facts about Rabies"; books such as The Stray Cat Handbook and an informative newsletter. Fax your inquiries to 202-667-3640 or e-mail the director at brobinson@alleycat.org. In the words of Ron Cash, Director of the Health Department in Atlantic City, New Jersey, "TrapNeuterRelease is congruent with my responsibility to prevent injuries to humans, protect humans from public health and safety risks, and promote a healthy human population."

17 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

The Pet Savers Foundation THANKS Arntt R. Axler J. Bakke J. Ballin D. Baron C. Beers R. Blaess B. Blair G. Boettcher N.E. Bowser A. Briskey G. Brosius B. Carruthers E. Chinn O. Clark F.

Coley E. Cronin M. Crotty C. Davis N. Deuel L. DeWolfe G. Duffy J. Elkin M Ensor P. Folvi P. Gaul L. Gill S. Glick J. Gliwa V. Gould L.

Haymond S. Humbertston E. Kaczanowski A. Koenig J. Korsack M. Lipnis C. Little S. Martin N. Mayfield D. McAlwee P. Meindl S. Menges E. Messina L. Mills A. Monnier L.

YOU For Your Generous Support!

Monroe P. Montgomery S. Moody B. Moore L. Murray M. Newlin D. Olan N. Pameticky I. Pastor S. Powers A. Quinones J. Radecki T. Ramin F. Reber B. Riccardi R.

Richman J. Richman J. Rojas G. Rowland J. Rubin B. Ryan C. Salas S. Salisbury G. Sanoff N. Schaffer B. Schiffert M. Schoepfer L. Shinn N. Skala G. Skiles S.

Speed E. Spencer D. Spigner C. Starr C. Suhamski A. Topping A. Tucker C. Turk A. Tzoucalis L. Vacca V. Van Dyke F. Vance S. Wagenius L.

18 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Letters To The Editors Dear Esther, I recently heard the spay/neuter theme song performed by Lynn Morris. Is this for your organization? I would really like to have a copy of this song — I was hoping it was on your website for download. Is there a way I can get a copy? Gary Olson Bellevue, WA Dear Gary! Glad you loved that jingle too. The Lynn Morris band is among the top Bluegrass bands, and performs all over the U.S. and Europe. The jingle you requested is on a CD which can be used for radio programs - cost including postage is $7. Just send a check (to SPAY/USA) to our Stratford address. A note of interest - this jingle is so catchy that it helped launch a statewide effort in Wisconsin. We thank Lynn and her band for their generosity and creativity, and the folks in Wisconsin for turning a song into a program-launch! Esther Mechler Dear Esther: I get your magazine, but cannot locate the Autumn 2001 issue which had an article about 13 Hints to Increase the Speed of a Spay Clinic. I was wondering if you could email or mail the article to me. D. Underwood Brunswick, GA

Dear D: If you check our website, www.spay usa.org, you can find the lead articles from our newsletter as far back as 1997. Many people ask for these articles, and this is the easiest way to find and print them for your own group or distribution. Some other articles we get many inquiries about are "The Top Ten Things we Learned from NH's S/N Program" (Winter, '97), "Finding Funding to Fix Feral Felines" (Winter, '99), "Getting Somewhere"(Summer, '99) and "Mobile S/N on Half a Shoestring Budget", (Winter, 2001). Let us know if there is a topic you want us to cover in a future issue of Paws to Think! Esther Mechler The Ultimate Humane Decision, Paws to Think, Spring 2002 We received so many responses from this article, thank you to everyone for your input. For those of you that asked to reprint it, you can do that with credit to Paws to Think. Hello Tammy: I am writing in response to your article The Ultimate Humane Decision. This is not an "argument" nor do I want to discuss it, I'm taking the opportunity to mention a different perspective. The thing I want to say that makes the way I work with animals different from many or most people/shelters is I have

repeatedly experienced that you NEVER know how a dog will act in a different environment with different people. I have personally seen so many miracles of this nature, an "aggressive" dog is given to someone and is never aggressive again, even without any work. It's about energy, and the nature of the people and the environment as much as it is about the dog. So this is, with all the legal BS aside, why I think animals deserve much more of a chance than they get. Thank you. Anonymous E-mail Dear Anonymous: I agree animals deserve much more of a chance than they get. I also feel that people need to be realistic about what it is they are doing. Right now, today, hundreds of healthy dogs will die. Today, hundreds of dogs that have an upper respiratory problem or maybe they are hairless, or maybe they are just old, will die. That is the reality I deal with everyday. I believe there are many rehabilitatable dogs out there, and I have dedicated myself to working with them, but I am also realistic as to what I can and cannot do right now, with dreams of what I can do tomorrow. Tammy Kirkpatrick

We love to hear from our readers! Please write to Esther Mechler at 2261 Broadbridge Avenue, Stratford, Connecticut 06614, email: alwaysspay@aol.com, or Jennifer Reimels at 59 South Bayles Avenue, Port Washington, New York 11050, email: jenniferr@petsavers.org

19 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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20 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

22 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

23 Paws to Think • Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

It’s Not Goodbye . . . I always wrestle with new articles, but this one was particularly difficult as it is about saying goodbye. I’ve dedicated myself to working for animals through NSAL America and The Pet Savers Foundation for over 12 years. I’ve grown and developed much like a child does, and I’ve learned a tremendous amount from others in the business. I feel very fortunate that I was allowed to work with animals and work where I have. I thank Mrs. Lewyt for allowing me to share her dream, if only for a little while, and it is something I will carry with me forever. Sometimes, we need change to broaden our education, and this is why I have decided to leave The Pet Savers Foundation. By the time most of you read this I will be on the road, moving to Dallas, Texas. I have accepted a position with the SPCA of Texas, working hands on in the shelter. This was a very difficult decision, as I loved the work I did, however, I am, and will always be a simple country girl, and to put it simply: I need to go home. My family has put up with my wandering ways for years, and although I never thought I would say this, the older I get, the more important HOME is for me. I realized that the best part of me was getting lost in the big city, and that I was becoming someone I didn’t really like. So the only solution that was best for me was to go back home. Lynda Foro left CHAMP for me to take care of, and now I leave CHAMP and Paws to Think for someone else to care for … it is the circle of life, and I know that whoever takes the reins will do a wonderful job for all of you. All the groundwork for CHAMP 2003 has already been laid and I hope I’ll see everyone in St. Louis next year! I’ll be there! I thank each and every one of you for allowing me to know you, to work with you and to see what all of you have done for homeless animals. I know that all the wonderful work you do will continue to grow and develop. I hope you know you are all in my heart. So this is not goodbye really, it’s more like, "See ya later!"

Tammy Kirkpatrick

24 Paws to Think •Autumn 2002 • Volume 1, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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The N euter/Spa y Social Awareness Postage Stam p! The Pet Savers Foundation 2261 Broadbridge Avenue Stratford, CT 06614-3898

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