innovative practices to decrease the number of pets ... · • specify who can attend the clinic...
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Beyond Spay Neuter:Innovative Practices to Decrease the Number of Pets Relinquished to Animal Shelters & Rescue Groups
Kim Wolf, Founder/Executive Director of Beyond Breed & University of Georgia, Master of Social Work &
Master of Public Health in Gerontology Candidate
In Loving Memory of Snickers
Snickers’ Website: https://kimtwolf.wixsite.com/mrbestboy
You can’t treat the part
without treating the whole.
What did breast cancer teach me?
Why Engage in Community Outreach? Because…
Shelter Euthanasia Has Declined Sharply in the U.S.
• Shelter intake and euthanasia (per capita) have steadily declined nationwide over the past several decades (ASPCA, n.d.).
• One reason is the increasing incidence of spayed and neutered animals in the pet population (Miller et al, 2014).
Estimated # of Cats & Dogs Euthanized in U.S. Shelters Every Year (in millions)
Source: McCarthy, 2018
What Do We Know about Intake?
• The animal shelter population is actually very heterogeneous.(ASPCA, n.d.)
• There is no single CAUSE or SOURCE of intake!(American Humane Association, 2013; Weiss et al 2014)
• Shelter intake is greatest from areas with high poverty levels. (Miller, et al 2014; Patronek, 2010)
• Many economic and social factors, as well as animal health and behavioral issues, contribute to shelter intake.(ASPCA, n.d.)
• No single program can be relied on to solve the problem!(ASPCA, n.d.)
Meet Dilma
Source: Greenwood, A. (2015). Dogs of New York celebrates the paws-itive bond between humans and their pups. Huffington Post. Retrieved from www.huffpost.com/entry/dogs-of-new-york_n_7604958
Link to Video: www.huffpost.com/entry/dogs-of-new-york_n_7604958
How Can We Meet Some of These Needs?
Preventative Veterinary CareWellness Exams, Spay/Neuter, Vaccinations, Flea/Tick, Heartworm, Dental Care, Grooming,Nail Trims
TARGETED WELLNESS CLINICS
Reactive Veterinary CareEasily Treatable Conditions, Chronic Conditions,Emergency Treatment, Oral Surgery, Terminal Illness, Flea Treatment
VETERINARY ASSISTANCE FUNDING
Pet Food Healthy & Appropriate Pet Food, Special Diets,Correct Portion Sizes, Feeding Instructions
PET FOOD PROGRAMS
HousingSafe & Affordable Housing, Pet-Friendly Rental Policies, Pet Deposit & Pet Fees, Homeowner/Rental Insurance, Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal Rights
TENANT ADVOCACY
Training & BehaviorTraining Classes, Phone Consultations, In-Person Consultations, Management & Enrichment Supplies (Harnesses, Crates, Litter Boxes, Baby Gates)
PET BEHAVIOR HELP
Crisis SupportTemporary Care/Boarding During Times of Distress(e.g., Domestic Violence, Hospitalization, Inpatient TreatmentFor Mental Health or Substance Use)
CRISIS FOSTER PROGRAMS
“People Suck” Syndrome
Question #1: What is the current federal poverty line for a family of four?
$35,574 $24,563 $28,892
Federal Poverty Line = The government’s estimate of what it costs to cover food, housing, clothing, health care, and transportation for one year
Question #2: How many U.S. workers currently live “paycheck to paycheck”
(i.e., they do not have enough cash savings to cover bills if they lost their job)?
26% 52% 80%
Answer
Source: https://www.povertyusa.org/poverty-quiz
Question #1: What is the current federal poverty line for a family of four?
• A full-time worker at federal minimum wage ($11.10/hour) only makes $23,088/year (before taxes)….which is below the federal poverty line!
• 1 in 5 kids in American lives in poverty.
$24,563
Answer
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2019-01-11/stretched-thin-majority-of-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck
• More than 1/2 of minimum wage workers hold two jobs to make ends meet.
• 44% of Americans could not come up with $400 cash in an emergency.
Question #2: How many U.S. workers currently live “paycheck to paycheck”
(i.e., they do not have enough cash savings to cover bills if they lost their job)?
80%
ARL of Iowa: Targeted, High-Volume Vaccination Clinics
Best Practices: Targeted Wellness Clinics✓ Target your locations to reach at-risk populations
• Target neighborhoods with above-average intakes, lack of veterinary clinics, and/or areas with high rates of animal control calls
• Do NOT advertise on social media; use flyers instead
• Specify who can attend the clinic (e.g., must live in certain zip code), which services will be offered, and how many pets you can serve per clinic (e.g., first-come, first-serve for 250 pets)
✓ Return to those same locations one year later
✓ That is when pets are due for their annual vaccinations
✓ Encourage clients to contribute toward the cost
• Let them tell you what they can afford (don’t over/under estimate)
• Advertise clinic as “Pay what you can - any amount accepted!”
✓ Invite human service agencies that serve the target neighborhood or population
• Connecting clients to other support/benefit programs helps increase stability
Gateway Event: Blessing of the Animals
Beyond Breed: Veterinary Assistance Program
Source: www.beyondbreed.com/ruff-riders
Grassroots, hyper-targeted pet owner support and advocacy program in Brooklyn, New York
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvFQYAqgmZU
Best Practices: Veterinary Assistance Funding✓ Develop eligibility criteria
• Include: geographic location (e.g., must live in certain zip codes), type of pet (e.g., cats/dogs only),
✓ Partner with veterinary clinics who are willing to invoice you for the clients you approve/refer
• Each referral should include a written agreement
• Include: pet’s name, treatment approved, max amount approved, “co-pay” amount, expiration date
✓ Encourage all clients to contribute something toward the cost
• If they say “nothing,” ask them to contribute a $10 “co-pay” if your organization will cover the rest
✓ Place a cap on the amount of funding each household can receive per year
• Track expenses for each pet & what services were rendered
• Have restrictions on which services you will subsidize
• Services NOT covered could include: diagnostics for conditions they cannot afford to treat, Rx pet food
✓ Suggest, but do not require, them to spay/neuter their pet
✓ Give client a copy of the itemized bill
✓ Enter each pet into shelter software and scan in a copy of each invoice
• This helps track clients over time & will be helpful if pet is ever relinquished
ARL of Iowa: Pet Food Program
• Partnership between the ARL of Iowa, local food banks, and YMCA• Cross-referral system between human-focused and pet-focused programs
How did we get started? Simple……..
ARL of Iowa: Pet Food Program
Question #3: As of 2016, what percentage of American households were renters?
17.2% 26.8% 36.6% 42.1%
Answer
Question #3: As of 2016, what percentage of American households were renters?
36.6%
• More people are renting now than at any point in the past 50 years.
• The percentage of renters is projected to increase.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/20/there-are-more-renters-than-any-time-since-1965.html
ARL of Iowa: Pet-Friendly Housing
https://www.arl-iowa.org/pet-help/resources-for-pet-owners/pet-friendly-housing/
Animal Haven:Tenant Advocacy
Question #4: What percentage of women in the U.S. have been
victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime?
8% 17% 25%
Question #5: In 2017, which was responsible for
the highest number of fatalities in America?
DrugOverdoses
CarCrashes
Guns
Answer
Source:
25%
https://ncadv.org/statistics
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men
are victims of severe physical violence
from an intimate partner during their lifetime.
Question #4: What percentage of women in the U.S. have been
victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime?
70,000 39,000 39,000
Question #5: In 2017, which was responsible for
the highest number of fatalities in America?
DrugOverdoses
CarCrashes
Guns
Source: www.economist.com/briefing/2019/02/23/tens-of-thousands-of-americans-die-each-year-from-opioid-overdoses
• At the height of the AIDS epidemic, 42,000 Americans died each year.
• During the entire Vietnam War, 58,000 American soldiers were killed.
ARL of Iowa: Crisis Foster Program
Source: https://www.arl-iowa.org/pet-help/crisis-foster/
Animal Control & Adoption Center
Police Department
Domestic Violence Shelter Women’s Prison
Inpatient Programs for Substance Dependency
Question #6: What percentage of Americans age 65 and older
currently live in nursing homes?
2.5% 8.5% 12.5% 18.5%
Question #7: What percentage of Americans age 65 and older
have Alzheimer’s disease?
10% 17% 25% 38%
Answer
Source: Applewhite, 2016
Question #6: What percentage of Americans age 65 and older
live in nursing homes?
2.5%
• Rates are on the decline.
• A decade ago, the percentage was 5%.
Answer
Source: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
Question #7: What percentage of Americans age 65 and older
has Alzheimer’s disease?
The total # of people age 65+ with Alzheimer’s IS increasing,
but in proportion with the growth of the 65+ population.
10%
The Median Age of Pet Owners is Increasing
Figure 1. Median age patterns for dog and cat owners. Adapted from Packaged Facts based on data from Simmons Market Research Fall 2006 and Fall 2016. Retrieved from www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/6315-pet-owner-demographics-get-grayer-more-golden. Copyright 2017 by Petfood Industry.
Source: Sprinkle, D. (2017, March 17). Pet owner demographics get grayer, more golden: An older, more established pet ownership population provides profitable opportunities for pet food manufacturers. Petfood Industry. Retrieved from www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/6315-pet-owner-demographics-get-grayer-more-golden
As of 2017…..
• Almost 1/3 of ALL pet owners are Baby Boomers.
• More than 40% of people age 70+ are pet owners.
Source: Gergenti, A. (2018, March). North American pet ownership: Shifting demographics. Petfood Industry Magazine, 28-36. Retrieved from www.petfoodindustry-digital.com/ 201803/index.php#/36;
ARL of Iowa: Pop-Up Clinics at Low-Income Housing Complexes
Source: www.arl-iowa.org
• Supports low-income older adults and people with disabilities
• Funded by a single donor with an affinity for older adults
• Started as pilot project; grew into a full program
Sample Clinic Budget
Pro Tip!
Programs Serving Older Adults with Pets
• AARP & PAWS Colorado: states.aarp.org/aarp-colorado-partners-collect-tons-of-pet-supplies/
• Hospets: hospets.org
• Meals on Wheels for Pets: banfield.com/banfield-foundation/resources
• PAWS New York: pawsny.org
• Pets for the Elderly: petsfortheelderly.org/
• Search and Care: searchandcare.org/pets-and-elders-together
• Shanti Project – PAWS: shanti.org
Downtown Dog Rescue: Pet Resource Center (PRC) on Skid Row
Source: https://downtowndogrescue.org/programs/serving-skid-row-with-inner-city-law-center/
Public-private partnership between Downtown Dog Rescue, Inner City Law Center, and L.A. Animal Services
• Free spay/neuter vouchers
• Assistance with pet licensing
• Microchips
• Leashes, collars, crates
• Veterinary care at partner clinics
• Assistance with pet transportation
• Income-based pet boarding
✓ People experiencing homelessness
✓ Veterans in residential treatment for PTSD or
substance dependency
• Legal assistance for pet-related housing issues
• Referrals to social service programs
Community Outreach Grant Opportunities
American Humane Association http://www.americanhumane.org/program/grants-awards/
Animal Farm Foundation https://animalfarmfoundation.org/programs-events/grants/
ASPCA https://www.aspcapro.org/grants/grant-opportunities
Banfield Foundation https://www.banfield.com/banfield-foundation/programs
Bissell Pet Foundation https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/shelters-rescues/apply-for-a-grant/
Grey Muzzle Foundation https://www.greymuzzle.org/grants/about-grey-muzzle-grants
Kenneth F. Scott Charitable Trust https://kennethscottcharitabletrust.org/
Maddie’s Fund https://www.maddiesfund.org/grant-giving.htm
Meals on Wheels America https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/member-central
Petco Foundation https://www.petcofoundation.org/for-partners/investment-opportunities/
Petfinder Foundation https://petfinderfoundation.com/for-shelters/apply-for-a-grant/
Pets for the Elderly http://petsfortheelderly.org/
PetSmart Charities https://petsmartcharities.org/pro/grants
Red Rover https://redrover.org/relief/
Tools for Getting StartedResource Link
Animal Farm Foundation https://animalfarmfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Building-Safe-Communities-Ebook-web.pdf
ASPCApro “Resource Library” https://www.aspcapro.org/resource-library
Best Friends Animal Society “Gap Analysis Tool”
https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/gap-analysis-tool
HSUS “Pets for Life” Toolkit https://www.animalsheltering.org/page/tools-bring-pets-life-your-community
PAWS/Shanti Project, “Guide to Starting a Human-Animal Support Services Organization”
http://www.shanti.org/pages/paws_start_up_kit.html
Comprehensive Pet Owner Support Programs
BENEFITS
TO
SHELTER/
RESCUE
BENEFITS
TO
PET
BENEFITS
TO
PET OWNER
University of GeorgiaEmail: [email protected]
Kim Wolf
Beyond BreedFounder/Executive Directorwww.beyondbreed.org
www.linkedin.com/in/kim-wolf-34409859
@kimtwolf
www.facebook.com/kim.wolf.7