PAWS to Thnk, Volume 2 issue 3 by sayhfdec

Paws to Think

Summer 2003 Volume 2, Issue 3 www.petsavers.org

contents

Letter From The Editors............................................................................................................................................................... 1 Calendar of Events....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 What’s News?................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 The Snow Ball ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Atlantic City MASH Unit .............................................................................................................................................................6 Your Local Shelter Isn’t The Only Place To Save A Loving Companion Anymore....................................... 7 Successful North Carolina Clinic Sponsors Conference.............................................................................................9 First Neutering Drug for Puppies Gains FDA Approval...........................................................................................10 Being Productive Contest Winner..........................................................................................................................................11 The Dynamics of Spay/Neuter..............................................................................................................................................12 Letters To The Editors.................................................................................................................................................................14 8 Rules for Survival......................................................................................................................................................................15 Pet Photo Contest .........................................................................................................................................................................19 The Explanation.............................................................................................................................................................................21 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 06614-3801 203-377-1116 • 203-375-6627 fax

1 (800) 248-SPAY SPAY/USA Administrative Office: 2261 Broadbridge Avenue Stratford, CT 06614-3801 203-377-1116 • 203-375-6627 fax www.spayusa.org alwaysspay@aol.com Esther Mechler, Director

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

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 Teresa Dockery, Director

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 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 and distributed to more than 30,000 animal caregivers, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations around the world. You can receive Paws to Think four times each year for a suggested minimum donation of $20 each year.

Letter From The Editors

When SPAY/USA was started thirteen years ago, we searched for a short, catchy phrase to summarize our goal. Spaying and neutering were key to ending cat/dog overpopulation, but explaining WHY it was important took time, and folks preferred looking at, playing with, and not worrying about those litters that were being born! Our phrase was “Prevention, Not Destruction!” Thirteen years later the message is indeed out there! County boards of health, animal care and control commissions, shelters large and small and the beleaguered rescue groups from coast to coast have seen the 3:1 ratio at work. It costs (at least) three times as much to ignore preventive measures (s/n) and deal with the outcome as it does to organize a spay program or clinic and bring down the numbers. And just in case we missed anyone, we are launching anew, our “Prevention not Destruction” campaign as a Pet Savers project. Ideas for contests, essays, letters to the editors and other ways of getting the word out are welcome. Our magazine will continue to bring you success stories from around the country and the world to let you and your colleagues know you are not alone, and we can do this!

Esther Mechler Co-Director of The Pet Savers Foundation

Teresa Dockery Co-Director of The Pet Savers Foundation

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Calendar of Events 2003

JULY 31 through AUGUST 3 Conference on Homeless Animal Management & Policy (CHAMP) • St. Louis, Missouri • 516-8837767 • www.champconference.org SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 7 – 10

American Humane Association Conference • Anaheim, California • www.americanhumane.org

Special Thanks To This Year’s CHAMP Sponsors! Purina PETsMART Charities San Francisco SPCA Petfinder & PETCO North Shore Animal League America Richmond SPCA Addison Biological Lab ASPCA HSUS Fort Dodge Animal Health Kong Company TFH Nylabone LaBoit, Inc. IDEXX Laboratories

10 - 14 Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference • Orlando, Florida • 916-4433855 • apdt@details.com 12 - 13 Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic How To Open And Operate A High Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic • Asheville, North Carolina • 828252-2079 • www.humanealliance.org

OCTOBER 2-4

Tufts Expo • Boston, Massachusetts • 800-642-9429 or 978-371-2200 • mbowan@tuftsanimalexpo.com • www.tuftsanimalexpo.com

23 - 26 SPAY/USA Southern Regional Leadership Conference • New Orleans, Louisiana • 800-248-7729

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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News From Arizona The Hermitage Cat Shelter in Tucson holds an annual Litter Box Blues to raise funds for their shelter. The entertainment for last year’s event, the Desert Cadillacs, belted out courses of "Did You Know" subtitled: A day in the life of a dedicated and hard working Hermitage staff member or volunteer. The lyrics included "Every day 51 litter boxes are scooped and/or cleaned throughout the shelter; Every day 41 water bowls are cleaned and filled with fresh water throughout the shelter; Every day 31 food bowls are cleaned and filled with fresh dry cat food throughout the shelter" and so on.

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 Teresa Dockery at teresad@petsavers.org While enjoying the dinner and dance the guests participate in a silent auction. Last year’s event raised over $20,000 for the shelter. www.hermitagecats.org

News From Colorado Organizations in the Denver Metro area are joining forces for animals. Representatives from the area shelters have joined with the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital and Animal Assistance Foundation to form the Denver Area Shelter Alliance. The Alliance is working toward a zero-euthanasia of adoptable animals by 2005. The Alliance has targeted 5 areas of focus:

1. Standardize language and establish a standard for collecting statistics. 2. Develop a consistent means of publishing shelter information. 3. Outreach to the nonEnglish-speaking communities to increase awareness of spay/neuter options and develop resources to work with in these communities. 4. Decrease euthanasia by developing transfer programs between shelters and focusing on animals with kennel cough and upper respiratory infections. 5. Expand awareness and use of the spay/neuter coupon program for lowincome families. Reported in the Cat Care Quarterly, Cat Care Society, www.catcaresociety.org.

News From Maryland Before leaving the Humane Society of Harford County for a position with the Loudoun County Animal Care and Control Department in Virginia, Executive Director, Tim Crum, reported that "The Humane Society may be in the best shape of its 55year history". The results of the 2002 reports show that with an intake of 2,885 cats and 2,000 dogs, dog adoptions have increased 99% over the previous year and cat adoptions have increased 79% for the same period. Euthanasia of dogs has decreased by 24% and cats 14%. Membership has increased by a whopping 350% and donations by cont’d on page 4

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

What’s News? – cont’d from page 3

76%. The Bow Wow Meow newsletter reports that another success was the formation of a partnership with the Harford Veterinary Medical Association which brings area veterinarians to the Humane Society for one hour each weekday to provide professional opinions on the health and treatment of animals in the Humane Society’s care. “We are now treating pets for common illnesses and diseases that simply were not treated in the past. Dogs and cats stand a better chance of surviving and being adopted right now than they did just one year ago,” remarks animal care technician Melissa Modugno. www.harfordshelter.org

News From South Carolina On March 17, the Spartanburg, SC county council voted to give a $10,800 community development block grant to Animal Allies for their low-cost spay/neuter program.

Martin of Animal Allies were inspired to pursue the block grant after hearing a talk given by Aimee St. Arnaud about her successful appeal for block grants at SPAY/USA' s 2002 Southern Regional Leadership Conference in New Orleans.

News From Tennessee Buster the Dachshund recently earned his keep and saved the lives of Joe Woods who Buster shares his home with. Mr. Woods reports that Buster began licking him frantically in the face while he was napping. When Mr. Woods woke he found the house filled with flames. He and Buster both made it to safety. Mr. Woods’ wife wasn’t home at the time and the smoke alarm did not awaken him. Mr. Woods says that his wife, who previously had complained about Buster sleeping on the bed, wouldn’t mind now. Buster is being haled in the area as Wood’s "guardian angel". ❂

Goodbye Skunk Aroma! This is a tried and proven method of removing skunk odor from dogs. The Neponset Valley Humane Society, Norwood, MA printed it in their April 2003 edition of the NVHS News. Mix together the following: 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide 1/4 cup baking soda 1 teaspoon liquid soap Soak the dog with water and then work the solution into a thick lather on the dog. Leave the lather on for 3 – 5 minutes and then rinse off. Make certain you don’t get any solution in the dog’s eyes.

Betsy Boxer and Karen

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

The Snow Ball In the year 2000, Dr Vicente went to the No Kill Conference (now the CHAMP conference), in Tucson Arizona, because the McKee Project’s founders lived near the event and it sounded like a program McKee Project wanted to emulate. At the Tucson conference, Dr. Vicente met the publishers of Animal People, who had corresponded with McKee, and who encouraged Dr. Vicente to give his own conference in Costa Rica with his new ideas – which flew in the face of traditional thought and practice. The snow ball began: These events changed the fate of animals in Latin America. As Dr. Vicente says, “We cannot merely write about our education program because it really is due to the snowball effect of SPAY/USA’S support, NSAL America’s grants, and Animal People news support, early on.” The McKee Conference was indeed held in October of 2001, and brought attention to the plight of humane treatment of dogs and cats in the biennial Veterinary Congress of Central America – the first time that animal welfare was a component at this conference in a history of 24 years. Dr. Vicente thought that it was time to bring pro-active animal people together with the veterinary community.

To add to this historic event, Esther Mechler, Kim Bartlett, Merritt Clifton, and Bonny Shaw and Rati, all came to lend their support. This wasn’t an ordinary foree to Latin America, because they boarded planes soon after 9/11 (in October). No one was flying anywhere the month after 9/11, but these souls did . . . and they did this to lend a fledgling program their love, support and encouragement, outside of their country, all the way in Costa Rica. Now, one can see the results of their support. Today the NSAL America/McKee spay/neuter training program has trained 61 doctors as of this writing, 8 of whom are in Cozumel Mexico (a McKee island – using no-kill spay/neuter strategies). Additionally, 460 animals were spayed and neutered during these sessions at no cost to the owner. Now these trained vets have gone back to their communities and are changing a nation. Low cost spay/neuter programs exist from the Nicaraguan border to the border of Panama throughout Costa Rica. After two years of working with the Minister of Education, and many personal visits, it is mandatory in Costa Rican Education that grades 1-6 must have basic humane

education for the treatment of animals. This work is a joint venture between McKee and a local animal protection group, ABBA, and one of its leaders, Patricia Abadia. The projected impact of this mandatory primary school education is exciting. McKee is training 3,500 teachers in the basics of humane education, has prepared a school agenda (approved and used by the Ministry of Education which is mandatory for all students), what to teach and how to approach this subject. Some of the themes are: • How to circumvent the cycle of violence; • Stressing the importance of not catching wildlife; and • Care of domestic pets In turn, this group of 3,500 teachers will train an additional 45,000 teachers. This gives the program a chance to truly make a difference. As is McKee’s philosophy, it is important that each of us participate. It is a slower way, but it is one that does not rest on the shoulders of a few. Everyone is important, and thanks to those that came to show us, the snowball is continuing. ❂

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Atlantic City MASH Unit When they were receiving 1,700 puppies and over 2,000 kittens annually, the Humane Society of Atlantic County in Atlantic City opened a stationary clinic. Twentythree years later the area has seen a 90% decrease in the number of incoming puppies and kittens. After attending seminars hosted by SPAY/USA and Alley Cat Allies the Humane Society purchased a racecar trailer and created a MASH Unit (Mobile Adoption Spay Hospital) to go out into other areas. To make the trailer complete, heat and air conditioning were installed, along with custom cabinets, lighting, electrical outlets, and lots of windows. A large door was installed , and a generator box was built into the cabinets. A 30-amp power cord allows hook up to existing electrical supply, thereby eliminating the need for the generator. Cost of the trailer as specified came in under $10,000. The cost of the Unit after modifications came in under $20,000. Funds were raised through private fundraising plus a contribution from a member of the Humane Society of Atlantic

County. The Humane Society of Atlantic County employs four veterinarians for both the spay hospital and a full service veterinary hospital located in Atlantic City. The fee structure is as follows: female cat-$35/male cat$25/female dog-$50/male dog-$40. Additional services are offered such as feline leukemia testing, heartworm testing, tattooing, vaccines, etc. Executive Director, Steve Dash says, "The Humane Society's MASH Unit has been based at the Cumberland County SPCA over the past six months to concentrate efforts in that county." Dash adds, "This original unit will become the property of Cumberland County SPCA made possible by a grant from the Geraldine Dodge Foundation. The Humane Society of Atlantic County's second larger unit is in the process of being built with completion due December 1, 2002. This was also made possible through the generosity of the Geraldine Dodge Foundation." The MASH Unit II is a thirty-foot unit that is wider and taller than the original. It has an open floor plan, additional windows, and a second entrance door. The vehicle that tows these units is currently an F-350 Diesel Crew Cab Pickup, but a Dodge van was originally used with good effect. The decision

to use a trailer as a basis as opposed to a Winnebago style vehicle was made to prevent downtime should the vehicle become inoperable. A second vehicle could always be used to transport the unit if needed. The unit is set up to alter 30 cats and 12 dogs per day. During the first twelve-month period, the MASH Unit altered an excess of 1,600 animals. The MASH Unit's Executive Director, Steve Dash says, "We found that keeping an open floor plan is best. Eliminating most cages and replacing them with stainless steel racks that hold carriers provides much more flexibility and ease of cleaning. The dog cages were fitted with solid stainless steel tops and become the work surfaces for the unit. A wall mounted Isofluorane machine is needed as well as an autoclave. These items are available reconditioned as are operating tables, etc. Many stainless steel items can be purchased through the used restaurant supply industry. RV Centers can help retrofit any items still needed. The cost should still come in under $20,000." For more information contact Steve Dash, Executive Director, 609-3472487 ❂

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Your Local Shelter Isn’t The Only Place To Save A Loving Companion Anymore For those who have been involved in adopting animals for many years, it is thrilling, and at times a bit frightening, to see how adoption methods have changed – from traditional adoptions to open adoptions and from inshelter adoptions to off-site and even cyberspace adoptions. New opportunities mean more homes for unwanted animals.

New venues With the growth of new venues like PETsMART and PETCO offering space for groups to showcase their animals for adoption, most groups have seen a significant increase in the number of adoptions, primarily dogs and cats. In addition, off-site adoptions have become commonplace most weekends in shopping malls and store fronts. “There is a need to take the animals to the people,” says North Shore Animal League America’s Joanne Yohannan, who also says that “quality adoptions can be done offsite.” Yohannan explains that the same criteria is used for adopting off-site as it is for in-shelter adoptions. “The same information is gathered from the person interested

a situation that would result in the individual being turned down, we take the time to explore the issue and see if there is a problem that we can help them resolve. Our counselors have been very good at working with potential adopters to match just the right companion with the right person.” in adoption, and we go through the same screening process,” she adds. Across the country, shelter and rescue professionals are using the benefit of off site to expand their adoptions. For rescuers, off site is the only avenue, as most don’t have shelters. While each organization

Counselors are now spending more time with adopters and helping them work through what could later become issues that would result in the animal being relinquished to a shelter. Owner relinquishments account for as many as 40% of animals entering shelters in some areas. “Matching the right animal with the right family is the first step in ensuring that the animal has a home for life,” says Deisler.

Cyberspace Adoptions

sets its own standards for adoption, Denise Deisler, Chief Operating Officer for the Richmond SPCA says, “We try to address each potential adoption individually. If there is

Adoptions through the use of cyberspace have become commonplace, even for municipal shelters. Maria Litton of the Washington County Animal Shelter was amazed the first time she put animals on Petfinder.com. “Calls were coming from everywhere,” Litton said. One of her questions was, “How do we cont’d on page 8

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

cont’d from page 7

determine if this is someone we want to adopt to?” Many who are in the cyber-adoption business say they use the same adoption screening techniques that they use for onsite adoptions, often utilizing other organizations in the potential adopter’s area to help with the screening process. Like its counterparts, Petfinder.com boosts adoptions of shelter animals across the nation. Petfinder has also joined forces with the PETCO Foundation to promote the adoption of homeless animals. “1-800-Save-A-Pet.com offers shelters a marketing tool for their animals,” says Luke Montgomery, founder of the non-profit cyberadoption site. Montgomery’s site also offers a personal call-up service where people can speak with a counselor. The counselor, called a Match-Maker, provides guidance to callers on the right companion for their lifestyle and family situation. Montgomery credits the site with helping to adopt thousands of older dogs. “Most people call us wanting a puppy but we know that the

majority of dogs in shelters are older dogs. Our counselors and our site offer information on the benefits of adopting older dogs.” In addition to providing services for adopting animals, Pets911.com offers other services. By entering your zip code, you can learn where the shelters and rescuers in your area are located and where spay/neuter services are available. Pets911 also provides resources and connections to some of the national animal welfare organizations. The animals available for adoption on these sites are not limited to dogs and cats. You may find a goat, rabbit, or even a cow!

Transport programs It may be hard for those with an abundance of animals to realize that some areas actually have a limited number of puppies and kittens. Because of the progress made in education and sterilization, some states, primarily those in the Northeast, no longer see an influx of puppies and kittens during the summer. Such is the case with

Northeast Animal Shelter in Massachusetts. “We’ve been transporting animals from other states for almost 10 years. The program gives other shelters and rescuers the opportunity to save animals that would otherwise die in shelters,” says Shelter Director Cindy Shapiro. Since 1991, North Shore Animal League America has rescued over 103,500 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies from three Southern States. Wendy McColgan says, “The program sets specific protocols for the transported animals. The animals must be quarantined and vaccinated to ensure that they can receive a health certificate before transport.” McColgan also says that the transport vehicle must have adequate ventilation and supplies for the animals that are transported. Some states have specific laws with which the shelter must comply with, like record keeping and spay/neuter requirements. “Successful programs like these do save lives,” she adds. ❂

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Successful North Carolina Clinic Sponsors Conference On September 12 and 13 The Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic in Asheville, NC will sponsor a conference on How to Open a High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic. The Alliance has been making a tremendous impact on the animal overpopulation problem in the Western North Carolina mountain region since the spring of 1994. More than 92,000 companion animals have been spayed and neutered at the facility since the organization opened its doors. The Humane Alliance is unique in that the organization provides free transportation in addition to its public services. The transport system accommodates delivery of homeless pets for rescue organizations, for pets belonging to lowincome residents of Western North Carolina, and for county shelter pets. This service is provided for 30 non-profit animal welfare organizations in 18 counties, as well as to five county shelter facilities. Statistically, the spay/neuter efforts of these groups result in a 40% decrease in the number of animals being released to participating shelters.

with different missions to a common purpose. "

According to Quita Mazzina, Executive Director of the Alliance, "The purpose of our program, How to Open a High Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, is to provide humane organizations with an operating system that is fail-safe. Every year millions of healthy companion animals are killed in shelters around our country. The best available data agrees that a relatively small percentage of animals produce the entire pet overpopulation problem. We cannot adopt our way out of this dilemma. This homeless pet crisis is a direct result of animals left unaltered in our communities. The Humane Alliance believes a high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter campaign precisely targeted toward low-income pet owners is compulsory to a community response to pet overpopulation. It is a catalyst in uniting organizations

The conference will feature panel discussions with speakers and partners from the 30 organizations involved in the Western North Carolina project. Guest speakers include Esther Mechler, SPAY/USA, Faith Maloney, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and Betsy Boxer, Animal Allies. "The group will lead you through a comprehensive plan that will guide you step-by-step in the procedure of opening and successfully operating a high-volume low-cost spay/neuter clinic," says Mazzina. She adds, "The facilitators selected from the Alliance staff have strategically written and designed this training program. This training will measure performance, set clear goals and yield standards of excellence for your entire staff. Arrangements can also be made to have this team at your facility to guide your organization through the first days of operation." For more information, contact the Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic, 231 Haywood St., Asheville, NC 28801, 828-252-2079, www.humanealliance.org ❂

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

First Neutering Drug for Puppies Gains FDA Approval Puppy owners will now be offered a choice for neutering their male puppies. The Federal Food and Drug Administration has approved Neutersol® (Zinc Gluconate Neutralized by Arginine) as the world's first injectable neutering drug for puppies 3 to 10 months of age. The procedure involves the puppy lying on its back and properly restrained (chemical restraint may be used, if necessary, to prevent the dog from moving during the injection), the veterinarian gently injects Neutersol into each of the testicles using a very fine needle. The exact dose is pre-calibrated by measuring the width of the puppy's testicles using a custom dosing caliper. Neutersol is 99.6% effective in achieving sterilization. Owners are relieved of their worries of subjecting the puppy to surgery and the time it takes, thus providing an attractive choice. "When presented with the time-savings, speed and ease of the Neutersol procedure, owners immediately understand the advantages of choosing Neutersol as the neutering approach," notes Jim Howard, DVM, owner of Howard Veterinary Hospital in Jefferson City, MO, one of the five test sites for the neutering product. "They now have a

choice between surgery or an injection that takes only a few minutes." Neutersol (Zinc Gluconate Neutralized by Arginine) for pharmaceutical sterilization of 3 to 10 month old male dogs was developed by the late Dr. Mostafa S. Fahim, Director of the Center of Reproductive Science and Technology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia. The research and development of Neutersol and other technology was conducted by Dr. Fahim and his staff and was sponsored by Technology Transfer, Inc. (a Missouri corporation) since 1990. The long process of obtaining FDA approval of Neutersol began in 1991, and Technology Transfer, Inc. licensed Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc. to market Neutersol after receiving FDA approval. Pilot, dose determination, and target animal safety studies were completed prior to the field study that was conducted at five test sites throughout the U.S. The test sites enrolled 270 puppies, ages 3 to 10 months, according to pre-determined protocols involving testicle widths and good general testicular health. Post-injection, the participating puppies were monitored for general attitude, appetite, ability to

walk, scrotal pain on testes manipulation, rectal temperature, and general scrotum description. Complete physical exams were conducted at three days, two months, and six months post-injection. Of the 224 dogs that completed the study, 223 (99.6%) were permanently sterile. Mild, temporary swelling of the testicles is an expected reaction to the injection noticed within 24-48 hours after injection. Other possible side effects include vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, scrotal pain and scrotal inflammation. Min Wang, MD, Senior Research Associate, Center of Reproductive Science and Technology, School of Medicine, University of MissouriColumbia, conducted the study and presented the field trial findings in "Neutersol: Intratesticular Injection Induces Sterility In Dogs" at the April, 2002, International Symposium of Non-Surgical Methods for Pet Population Control. See www.neutersol.com/ fieldstudy for detailed study protocols and report of findings. For more information about Neutersol, contact your local veterinarian. ❂

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

"Being Productive" Contest Winner it. Tell yourself you’re going to do it, period!

Congratulations to Peggy Williams, Animal Control Officer in Bent, New Mexico, our Paws Summer Edition contest winner for the best ideas of being productive. 1. Difficult or complicated jobs become more manageable when they’re broken down into steps or stages. This easily allows for different dates or times to accomplish the tasks and gives one the satisfaction of accomplishments as each segment is completed. 2. When written tasks are to be done, "just start"! Don’t waste a lot of time pondering, getting advice, asking opinions, and checking grammatical errors. This can be done when you’re finished. "Just start" writing anything pertinent, you’ll discover that the juices start flowing, you’ll get in the mood, and you can cross out and restart to your heart’s desire. 3. The power of positive thinking is highly under-rated. Don’t try to do it, or hope to do it, or attempt to do

4. When the job to be done is lengthy or tedious, make an appointment with yourself for the time to do it. Be realistic, and if it’s something you dread, don’t make the time too long. Later, when you get in the swing of it, you can allot more time in the next appointment. 5. When involved in important or time limit projects, arrange before hand to avoid interruptions. Tell people you’re unavailable for those 45 minutes: no phone calls, no visiting, no short trips to the breakroom. Close the door and dedicate your time to the task at hand. 6. Always prioritize. Divide jobs into categories of "Must Do", "Might Do" and "Do Do". Write these jobs down with the "Must Do" top priority. By putting the jobs down in writing it not only clarifies the goal of the job, but also gives you the sense of already having started it. The "Might Do" jobs are last on the priority list. The "Do Do" jobs are the ones you hate to start; they’re usually not immediately due, however they come above "Might Do" jobs. For these use rules 1 through 5.

input to keep like items or information together. Sorting in this way avoids lost time in shuffling and reshuffling to try and find items or information needed. 8. Avoid wasted trips. Any good waitress learns early not to waste trips; they always come back with something in their hands. When going to another office, to the filing cabinet, the copier, another room in the house, take something with you that needs to go to that place anyway. 9. Watch out for time thieves. Don’t allow yourself to get side tracked by pleasantries that turn into conversations. Phone calls that turn into marathon gab sessions. Discipline yourself to get what has to be said, said. Be pleasant, but get to the point and get on to what has to be done. 10. This almost seems like a contradiction, but every 2 hours allow yourself a break. You deserve it, but most importantly it will contribute to your being more productive. That pause in the actions allows you to rest your brain long enough to get your second wind. Many times when you have a chance to clear your mind, you come up with some of the best ideas. ❂

7. Whether organizing drawers or compiling information, sort your

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

THE DYNAMICS OF SPAY/NEUTER Joshua Frank, Ph.D. Executive Director, FIREPAW, Inc. There can be little doubt that increasing spay/neuter rates helps to reduce companion animal overpopulation. However, despite millions of dollars invested in spay/neuter programs, there is little understanding of the dynamics of its effects. Little effort has been put into formally modeling the dynamics of companion animal sterilization programs; however there have been attempts made to study the effects of other sterilization programs. Most of these models have come from "pest eradication" efforts that examine sterilization as a more humane alternative to killing animals (such as deer in some areas). Some studies find that sterilization may be even more effective than killing at reducing pest populations. In general, most attempts to model sterilization efforts assume that there is some degree of "density dependence". That is, natural forces regulate population size to decrease it when it is very high or to increase it when it is very low. In a stable environment, animal populations are kept in check and balanced naturally. If an outside force acts to change the birth rate or death rate (such as by sterilizing animals) the balance

Pamela Carlisle-Frank, Ph.D. President, FIREPAW, Inc.

point will shift. In other words, using most common population growth models, an increase in the sterilization rate, even a small one, will lead to a reduction in the stable population level. However, there are certain scenarios where moderate levels of sterilization will be ineffective. In these scenarios, the sterilization level required to start decreasing the population would depend on a number of environment-specific factors; there is no single universal level of sterilization that needs to be achieved that can be applied across all species and environmental conditions. The time scale required to see significant population declines from sterilization may be larger than many people who work with companion animal spay/neuter programs would assume. For example, one study of deer found that a 5-10 year horizon is necessary to see a significant decline, while another study of a possum population found that it takes about 20 years for the population to come close to stabilizing at a new lower level. Understanding the timeline Companion animal dynamics can differ from wild animal dynamics

for a number of reasons. But after studying the dynamics of the dog population, FIREPAW also found the same long delay exists before spay/neuter programs show their full effect. It takes about 8 years to get half of the benefit (50% reduction in euthanasia) of a one-time shift in the spay/neuter rate, and as much as sixty years for the euthanasia rate to stabilize at a new lower rate. If implementing the change takes time, this will delay the effects even further. When accounting for the long adjustment period for a spay/neuter program to take full effect, it is important to understand that the benefits multiply over time by preventing the birth of successive future generations. The time-scale issue is important to recognize; most attempts to evaluate spay/neuter programs probably greatly underestimate cont’d on page 13

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

cont’d from page 12

their impact since the evaluation takes place only a few years (at most) after the program starts. The problem with such an approach is that if a spay/neuter program’s impact is evaluated a year after it is implemented, it will have only had about 10 percent of its full effect. Even after two years, the program will have reached less than 20 percent of its full effect. This is important information to keep in mind next time a city official, for example, argues that the spay/neuter program they authorized a year ago "has not worked". A little can go a long way The surprisingly long adjustment period for a spay/neuter program is not necessarily a bad thing since it is due to the program’s great power and ability to multiply its impact over time. In fact, the same FIREPAW study found that spay/neuter programs were the most cost-effective method of reducing euthanasia. Spay/neuter programs can still be powerful even if most people already spay/neuter their animal because a small number of unfixed animals can have a large impact on the total population. According to the FIREPAW study, using numbers for one particular community in upstate New York, if a little less than half of the people who do not spay/neuter their dog would change their behavior, all euthanasia of dogs could be eliminated. The exact numbers will vary, but this community is typical

of many mid-sized American cities. In some ways, dog and cat dynamics are similar. The biggest difference for cats is a viable reproducing feral population. In many cities, this feral cat population can be 3050 percent of the total cat population, and without an aggressive sterilization (TNR) program, these feral cats can overwhelm any successes in controlling the growth of the "owned" population. The feral cat population is the companion animal group most similar to the wild populations where the impact of sterilization has been studied by biologists. In general, the studies on sterilization of wildlife tell us that the impact of sterilization on feral cat populations depends on many variables. It is possible that the population will decline as a linear function of sterilization, as an increasing (nonlinear) function of sterilization, or it is also possible that the sterilization effort may also need to reach a "critical mass" in a short period of time to be effective. However, if there is a critical mass it will not be a single universal number but will vary regionally depending on a number of factors. For example, in regions with harsh winters the lifespan of a feral cat is much different than in Florida or California, and this will have a big impact on what level of sterilization is needed to reduce the population. The most likely result is probably a "nonlinear" function, meaning that spay/neutering 30

percent of the feral cats in a region may have some effect, but it will only reduce the population by less than 30 percent. If you double your efforts and spay/neuter 60 percent of the cats, most likely the impact on the population size will more than double. Probably the most important fact we know about spay/neuter programs is that they can be very powerful—probably the most powerful tool we have available to fight overpopulation. But it is important to recognize that it may take a long time for a program to have its full impact. It is also important to recognize that the impact of spay/neuter efforts may be non-linear, particularly when dealing with a population with natural stabilizing forces such as feral cats. Therefore, it may be more effective to concentrate a large amount of effort in a small area rather than spreading that same effort across a larger area.

FIREPAW The Foundation for Interdisciplinary Research and Education Promoting Animal Welfare 228 Main Street, #436, Williamstown, MA 01267-2641 Phone: (518) 462-5939 Fax: (518) 658-0979 Email: firepaw@earthlink.net Website: www.firepaw.org ❂

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Letters To The Editors Hi Esther,

Dear Teresa,

I've been meaning to write to you for a while now, to thank you for bringing the Southern Leadership Conference to New Orleans, and to let you know about a little project that started as a result of the Louisiana breakout session on the first day of the conference. The discussion in that meeting centered on things we could do to increase awareness and availability of spay/neuter services in Louisiana. We decided to compile a database of current spay/neuter services for the whole state. It took all of about 30 seconds for us to name the effort "Spay/Louisiana". We are just days away from launching a statewide survey that will provide the standardized information for our database. We've put together a website – http://spaylouisiana.org/ – and have the survey online. We plan to follow this survey with a second one that will gather intake and euthanasia statistics from Animal Controls across the state.

I found the item with information on the HSUS feral cat handbook (in the last edition of Paws) and copied some information from the website and sent it to all the people involved in the Singapore situation, and as you can see, they are very appreciative. I intend to forward it to some other groups ASAP. Thanks for putting it in the magazine.

Julie Becker Metairie, La

Kim Bartlett Note Below: Dear Kim, Many thanks for forwarding this wealth of information. We appreciate it. Deirdre Moss Singapore SPCA Kim, Dr. Slater’s research has provided us with a wonderful tool for anyone working with cats, whether it is here in the US and around the world. We appreciate you spreading the word. Teresa

Julie, What wonderful news! The Southern Leadership Conference was held in the South to encourage more programs, just like the one you are starting. We hope you will draw from the success of other state and regional programs and reach out to those that we write about in Paws for new ideas and guidance. Please contact us if we can be of help to you in furthering this project. We look forward to hearing your progress when we are in New Orleans for the 2003 conference, October 23-26. Esther

Dear Esther and Teresa, Linn's Stamp News is the largest philatelic publication in the U.S., with a circulation of more than 50,000 households. The results of Linn's Stamp News Annual Poll for 2003 are in, reported in the March 24th issue. I'm pleased to report that our very own "Neuter/Spay" ranked second in the online balloting for Overall Favorite Stamp of 2002, with 532 votes. (The number one online favorite was U.S. Military Academy). In the paper balloting for Overall Favorite Stamp of '02 (tabulated sepa-

rately) Neuter/Spay ranked a respectable 5th out of the 46 commemorative stamps considered. Neuter/Spay also took third place in the Most Important Stamp category. (Heroes and U.S. Military Academy took 1st and 2nd places, respectively). On the flip side, 176 persons voted Neuter/Spay as the "Least Necessary" stamp, resulting in a seventh-place ranking in this category, which underscores the vital importance of our continuing humane educational outreach pertaining to responsible pet ownership/guardianship practices. Of all the results, however, the one I find most exciting is that Neuter/Spay ranked FIRST in the Youth Poll, nearly double the votes received by any other single stamp on the ballot. As young people are the pet guardians/owners of the future, I find this result very encouraging despite the overall modest number of kids who submitted ballots (less than 300). In fact, the article's subhead reads "37 cents Neuter and Spay tops with kids in 2002 U.S. Poll." A related article in this issue is entitled "Military Academy, Neuter and Spay favorite stamps in 2002 online poll." Warm Wishes, Hope Tarr Hope, Thanks for your continuing efforts to promote the spay/neuter stamp! We encourage our readers to go to www.usps.com and continue purchasing stamps. It is hoped that the balance of the spay/neuter stamps will be sold out soon and the postal service will reprint them. Esther and Teresa

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

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

8 Rules for Survival by Kathy Savesky

1. Always remember the Power of One. You influence others every day through your actions, words, etc. Don’t underestimate the impact you have as an individual.

2. Hold onto your capacity for empathy. We are generally very good at empathizing with animals, but often lose our capacity to empathize with other humans. Especially those who are least like us. Look for the connections/similarities you have with others. Try to understand their points of view. It will make you far more effective at helping them see yours.

3. Find constructive ways to channel or let go of your anger. Too often our anger over the cruelty, neglect or apathy we experience in our work gets turned on each other. This not only diverts important energy away from what we are

trying to accomplish, but also lessens our credibility within the broader community. And carrying your anger inside often results in depression and burnout.

4. Never forget what you don't know. Recognizing that you always have more to learn can help keep you open to new ideas and eager to find new ways to approach old problems.

5. Recognize the difference between healthy skepticism and cynicism; embrace the former, run from the latter. A little healthy skepticism is important in forcing us to think for ourselves, evaluate carefully what others tell us, and avoid accepting "common wisdom" as fact without evidence to support it. At the same time, the kind of cynicism that develops in many advocates simply distances us from all around us, leaving us unwilling to trust anyone or anything.

6. Acknowledge and cherish victories – even the little ones. They are the essential fertilizer for growing optimism and sustaining positive energy.

7. Remember that "no" may simply mean "not now", "not here", "not in this way". There are always other pathways to yes. We are often known for our tenacity – like the pitbulls in many of our shelters, when we get hold of a problem we don’t let go. The secret is in adding strategy to tenacity: if one approach to a problem doesn’t work, don’t give up, but do evaluate why and alter your approach accordingly.

8. Get a life. Keep a life. Too often we are so busy trying to save the world that we forget to savor it. Without the latter, the former has little meaning. ❂

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Sit Up And Get Noticed! Paws to Think is distributed to more than 30,000 animal caregivers, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations around the world. Drop a note to Amanda Alio at amandaa@petsavers.org and ask for a free media kit detailing classified and display rates, sizes, and all you need to know to place your ad in the next issue of Paws to Think!

“Spay/Neuter ... Made Accessible”

Adoption Trailer with Easy-to-Clean Viewing Glass

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Spay & Neuter Mobile Clinics or Adoption Mobile Clinics

“Helps break the reproductive cycle – even in remote locations” For More Information: call 800-776-9984 • fax 623-581-2922

www.laboit.com Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Guidebook To Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics An Invaluable Resource To Help End Companion Animal Overpopulation

Available for FREE online! visit www.spayusa.org click the “More Resources” tab Here’s What Folks Are Saying . . . Wow! What an awesome "bible" of s/n vans!! Thanks so much! I will be sure to pass this information along to others. Regards, Keith

• 30 models from around the country * A sample business plan * “Do’s and Don’ts" as you plan your van * Scrounging for free or inexpensive equipment * Necessary, unnecessary and optional equipment * A sample budget

Thanks for putting the guide together. We are the largest dog welfare charity in the UK. We already have mobile microchipping units and a subsidized dog neutering program through which we have been able to neuter over 73,000 dogs. I feel the next step in the evolution of our neutering campaign is to have a mobile neutering facility so I am sure your guide will be extremely helpful for me! Kerry Glover, Head of Campaigns National Canine Defense League

Buy online and help SPAY/USA!

iGive.com offers up to 26% of your purchases to SPAY/USA. When you make a purchase, every penny of the percentage that is listed beside the merchant goes directly to SPAY/USA. No administrative costs or fees are deducted, which is made possible because iGive.com is paid a sales commission (over and above the charitable contribution percentage) when members make purchases. Many merchants also advertise on the iGive Web site.

Join Our Team! Now is the time to get in on the ground floor and represent your state as a Pet Savers’ Ambassador. As a Pet Savers’ Ambassador you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all sorts of projects – projects like Paws to Think, SPAY/USA, and the CHAMP conference. In return, you’ll have access to a variety of resources, a network of support people, plus discounts, special meetings and presentations at CHAMP. If you’re interested in learning more about this unique opportunity to affect change in the animal welfare world, please send an email to info@petsavers.org or call 516.944.5025.

iGive.com’s partners include leading online merchants for a variety of the well-known brands you buy every day! A few of these merchants include: 1-800-Flowers.com, Barnes and Noble, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hallmark.com, H&R Block, JCPenney, L.L.Bean, Lane Bryant, Office Depot, Old Navy, Payless ShoeSource, PETsMART.com, and Toys R Us to name just a few! Shop today at iGive.com. Just go to www.iGive.com, enter your email address and select "Join Now!" Then search for SPAY/USA and select it as your favorite cause! Thanks!

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Pet Photo Contest Pet Savers is looking for a special dog and cat to feature on future covers of Paws to Think.Your creativity in capturing that special expression of your pet could win you a spot on the cover of our magazine.The winners will receive recognition in the Paws to Think magazine and a free registration to either the CHAMP conference or the SPAY/USA Southern Regional Leadership Conference. Contest Rules: • The photos must be non-professional. • Each photo must include no more than four animals. • The photos must be a minimum of 8" x 10". • The photo resolution must be a minimum of 300 dots per inch. • Photos should be clear with no "red eye." • Photos must be mailed to Pet Savers but can be submitted on a CD. • Photos or CDs will not be returned. • Each photo must accompany an entry fee of $10.00 and a completed and signed entry form for each photo (see Entry Form below). • Photos submitted will become the property of The Pet Savers Foundation and The Pet Savers Foundation may use the photo in future publicity. • Entries must be received by September 1, 2003. Entry Form Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Country _________________________________________________ Phone ______________________ E-mail _____________________ Pet’s name ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ❑ Male

❑ Female

Age ____

Breed ____________________________________

Owner/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________ As the owner/guardian of the pet and the individual that has the rights to this photo I grant The Pet Savers Foundation full and complete rights to the use of this photo for use in the future. I understand that I will receive no compensation for any use of this photo.

Include a $10.00 check or money order, for each photo, make payable to The Pet Savers Foundation. Mail to: The Pet Savers Foundation, 59 South Bayles Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050-3728. Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

The Explanation A message for all of us who have lost a pet . . . Some of the most poignant Shane could learn something moments I spend as a veterifrom the experience. The next narian are those spent with day, I felt the familiar catch in my clients assisting the transimy throat as Belker's family tion of my animal patients surrounded him. Shane from this world to the next. seemed so calm, petting the When living becomes a burold dog for the last time that I den, whether from pain or loss wondered if he understood of normal functions, I can help what was going on. Within a a family by ensuring that their few minutes, Belker slipped In memory of Murphy beloved pet has an easy passpeacefully away. 1989 – 2003 ing. Making this final decision The little boy seemed to is painful, and I have often felt powerless to comaccept Belker's transition without any difficulty or fort the grieving owners. That was before I met confusion. We sat together for a while after Shane. Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact I had been called to examine a ten-year-old blue that animal lives are shorter than human lives. heeler named Belker, who had developed a serious Shane who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I health problem. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, know why.” Startled, we all turned to him. What Lisa, and their little boy, Shane were all very came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never attached to Belker and they were hoping for a mir- heard a more comforting explanation. He said, acle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of “Everybody is born so they can learn how to live a cancer. I told the family there were no miracles good life, like loving everybody, and being nice, left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthana- right?” The four-year old continued, “well, anisia procedure for the old dog in their home. mals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.” As we made the arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four– author unknown year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt

The Pet Savers Foundation THANKS YOU For Your Generous Support! Beach, N. Buley, E. Elkin, M. Fullerton, R. Hart, F. Heller, S.

Hutchins, N. Mascot, M. Meade, K. Meindl, S. Randle, J. Richman, J.

Extra Special Thank You to Fort Dodge Animal Health, makers of heartworm preventative, ProHeart®6

Sargentelli, P. Shaffer, B. Watanabe, R. Whetstone, L.&M. Wolfe, G.

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Southern Regional Leadership Conference Forming State Networks To End Cat/Dog Overpopulation

October 23 - 26, 2003 • Embassy Suites • New Orleans, Louisianna Here’s a sample of what this conference will be offering this year. To receive a brochure, contact SPAY/USA at 203.377.1116, email at alwaysspay@aol.com, visit www.spayusa.org Natural Born Winners of the South presented by Robin Sieger. Keynote speaker Robin Sieger caught our attention when he spoke at an international conference in Prague in 2002. He is the author of Natural Born Winners – a book which has been acknowledged as a blueprint for personal and professional success, translated into eleven languages and sold in over forty-one countries. Robin’s talk focuses on successful leadership and peak performance. A gifted communicator with a dynamic, anecdotal delivery, he taps into the hearts and minds of his audience offering a passport to success and achievement by demonstrating the principles governing success! He has spoken at meetings for IBM, Microsoft, General Motors and British Airways. Robin is from Scotland. It was 15 years ago after being diagnosed with cancer that he became fascinated with the idea that success and happiness are not outcomes of random chance – but of design. It is not the way team members work but how they think that makes the critical difference. Working With The Government To Build And Fund S/N Programs presented by Jill Lancon, Animal Services, Marion County Florida; Rick du Charme, First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Florida; and Pam Burney, Environmental Services, Richland Hills, Texas. Three individuals will show us how they convinced their city/county officials to support spay/neuter programs through Animal Control, Environmental Services, and in one case a private program developed to serve a very large Southern city! Building Credibility for Public Funding presented by Betsey Boxer, Animal Allies, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Learn how to gain the ear of local government officials and build solid partnerships. Get their attention with demographic data – know your county/region. Learn to develop a winning presentation to gain support for your spay/neuter program. Growing your Program – And Raising Money Locally presented by Karen Ray, T-Town PAWS, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As a founding member of her local group, Karen will take you on a journey – from how they began, how other organizations helped and encouraged them, and how they are making a difference in the community. Learn how they went from seven members to seven hundred, and raised enough spay subsidy money to turn their shelter numbers around. Changing The Status Quo Of Animal Sheltering presented by Lynn Fridley, Field Representative for Maddie’s Fund, and Past President of the Alabama Humane Federation. After years of enduring increased animal intakes, struggling to increase adoptions, and dealing with the heartbreak of euthanasia, something has to change! Out of the box thinking, marketing strategies and coalition building can change the status quo of animal sheltering in your community, region or state. Mobile Vans – Tool To End The Surplus In The Rural – And Urban – South! presented by Jill Lancon, Animal Services, Marion County, Florida; Mary Kay Caldwell, Pawprints on the Heartland, Pittsburg, Kansas. One of our speakers formed a group dedicated to spay/neuter and

obtained a spay van which now covers five counties in rural Kansas. The other, a county official, covers a large Florida county which has rural, suburban and urban regions. Speakers will share how they went about obtaining their units, how they target their areas, and how they operate! State Programs In The Making – Economy Of Scale At Work presented by Ruth Steinberger, SPAY/OKLAHOMA; Teresa Dockery, SPAY/VIRGINIA; Joyce Hillard, SPAY/NEUTER ARKANSAS; and Bert Troughton, The New Hampshire Program. It takes a lot of work to set up an effective spay program – why not maximize its impact by maximizing the area covered? There are some very important do’s and don’ts as we go about setting up these programs. We will hear about a highly successful state program that has resulted in a near90% reduction in shelter intakes and euthanasias – from the pioneer state program in the South and from two state programs starting up at this time Strategic Planning Sessions, Organized By State moderated by Bert Troughton, ASPCA and San Francisco SPCA Strategic Alliance Planning for Success: What are the most innovative and targeted approaches we could take to save animals? How do we implement those approaches most effectively? The answers to questions like these will be our focus on day two, when we convene in state and regional groups to begin strategic planning. Equipped with workbooks and the guidance of a skilled facilitator, we’ll follow a four step planning process to: 1) discover our greatest strengths and resources, 2) create a vision of the future we want for animals in our communities, 3) design the practices to get there, and 4) plan action to achieve that ideal future. Strategic planning has been a cornerstone tool of nearly every social movement and successful corporation. At this exciting full-day event, you’ll discover ways to use strategic planning to propel your own efforts farther and faster – while simultaneously building a state and regional map to achieve success. Finding and working with Veterinarians presented by Lisa M. Chassy DVM MS. Dr Chassey, President of Knoxville Veterinary Medical Association in Tennessee, will talk about the many ways we can recruit and win the favor of veterinarians for our spay programs and clinics. A dedicated veterinarian herself, she will give examples of do’s and don’t’s to help your group find a win-win working relationship with your local or area veterinarians Continuation of planning sessions for regional and state programs. Directors of four foundations that support spay/neuter programs throughout the South will be present to advise attendees about how to obtain funding – including examples of good and bad proposals and alternatives to the usual funding sources. Panel: Melanie Lambert of The Summerlee Foundation, Joyce Briggs of PETsMART Charities, Jim Mason of The Two Mauds Foundation and Paul Jolly of The PETCO Foundation. Come, learn, ask questions and meet these wonderful Directors! They will help you to make it happen!

Registration Limited to Members of the Southern Area

Paws to Think •Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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LIKELY POISON Medicines, anti-freeze, oil, tar, cleaning fluids, polishes, weed killers, fertilizers, paints, solvents Cleaning fluid fumes, gasoline fumes, car exhaust, smoke, gas leaks, glue fumes Paint solvents, kerosene, tar, insecticides, acids, alkalies Insect bites, snake bites

Nearly half of all pet poisonings in the home could be prevented by poison-proofing your home . . . do it today! SAVE THIS NUMBER ... IT COULD SAVE YOUR PET’S LIFE: 1-888-232-8870! (Please be advised there is a $35 fee per incident) www.animalpoisonhotline.com North Shore Animal League America • 16 Lewyt Street • Port Washington, NY 11050 • 516.883.7900 • www.nsalamerica.org

Paws to Think • Summer 2003 • Volume 2, Issue 3 • The Pet Savers Foundation • www.petsavers.org

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