We’re on WTKR

Just over a month ago, we posted Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), revisited (from the last two paragraphs): Through outreach and simply talking with residents, we learned that many people using our program for cats are caring for stray, abandoned, and other kinds of community cats. They frequently begin by feeding, without necessarily planning beyond that, and in some cases seem hesitant to do more, fearing they will get in trouble by identifying themselves as the (default) caretakers. They want to help but are not sure what to do.

So how do we protect cats? … We can educate ourselves with accurate information, promote open, honest communication, and encourage citizens to take fuller responsibility for the animals in their care. We can believe people are inherently good, and we can work together to save lives.

On Tuesday, WTKR Channel 3 aired Beach woman says turning in stray cats got her charged with animal cruelty. Identifying herself as the (default) caretaker got Tiffany D’Andrea in trouble. She tried to help the cats, but there’s no system to have helped her.

We won’t speculate about what should or could have happened when Ms. D’Andrea brought in the cats; however, an opportunity for open, honest communication was missed. The story’s larger context has room for a discussion about the number of cats taken in by VBACAC and their outcomes,* as well as a reminder from the shelter about spay/neuter as a preventative measure in controlling companion animal populations.

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Thankfully, WTKR followed up with Spay and neuter programs offer way to control feral cat populations.The report begins, “It’s the height of kitten season in Hampton Roads. Many shelters in Hampton Roads are so full they are giving cats away for free. But at the root of the problem, putting an end to the overpopulation, especially among feral cats.” The online story includes links to our program, the Norfolk SPCA’s TNR program, and general low-cost spay/neuter clinic services (not only for community and feral cats).

Were a system, with municipal support and open advocacy, available, Ms. D’Andrea’s and the cats’ stories may have been different.

Just across the water, Operation Cat Snip helps citizens with TNR and provides information about local municipal positions on this issue: The City of Newport News ordinance prohibits the free roaming of unspayed/licensed cats. It also prohibits providing food, water or other forms of sustenance and care to feral cats or stray cats. However, recognizing that Trap-Neuter-Return may be a useful tool in controlling the population of feral cats, the City of Newport News adopted the “Feral Cat Ordinance” (Section 6-53) in 2005. The ordinance allows concerned citizens to legally maintain feral cat colonies through TNR while addressing public health and nuisance issues. The City of Hampton has a similar policy.

As a tool for humane, long-term control of community cat populations, TNR is endorsed by many shelters and national organizations. In Virginia, other organizations such as the Richmond SPCA, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter assist with related programs. Nationally, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, and Alley Cat Allies advocate TNR. Additionally, charitable funding groups like PetSmart Charities, the Petco Foundation, and Maddies Fund provide educational and monetary support for TNR.

We will be thinking of Ms. D’Andrea on Monday and following her story.

* for reported shelter intake and outcome information: VDACS online animal reporting

(Spread the) Spay/Neuter News

Our last post included a reminder about the multitude of affordable spay/neuter (and more!) services in Hampton Roads. We are fortunate to have a variety of options, including mobile clinics.

The March 12, 2013 edition of Pilotonline includes a blog post about spay/neuter from Ron Crow. Crow ends his post with a call to action: “Let’s step up!”

If you’ve been dragging your feet to have your pet spayed/neutered, step up and get it done already! If you’ve used one of the low-cost clinics in our area, step up and spread the word; let people know that affordable, quality care is available in Hampton Roads.

 

 

 

A small collection of good news

Yes, we are still providing free and low-cost spay and neuter services! Please contact us if you need assistance.

With this cold weather and snow, it might be hard to think about spring and all that warm weather brings…but, it’s never not the right time for spay/neuter.

Fido Fixers: Fido Fixers Inc. is a newly organized not-for-profit corporation that provides either no cost or low cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats in economically distressed areas. Fido Fixers Inc. will accomplish this mission by purchasing and making available a surgical mobile veterinary clinic. A veterinarian will provide the services and the mobile unit will travel to various low income areas primarily in the states located in the southern part of the United States.

County Offering Free Spay-Neuter Services: The Beaufort County Animal Shelter is partnering with Sheldon Animal Rescue to offer free spaying and neutering through April. Shelter officials say it’s important to have animals spayed or neutered before they go into heat this spring.

“Beat the Heat” feline spay promotions funded by PetSmart Charities: $20 spay surgeries for cats in February! There are four participating clinic service providers in Virginia.

 

Community Outreach in July

SpayHR and ART volunteers have been out and about in our Norfolk Pet Project neighborhoods, passing out flyers and talking to residents. Within a few days of our efforts last week, we received requests for spay/neuter appointments from at least four residents of Fairmount Park. Yesterday, our scheduling volunteer received an appointment request as we were still canvassing the neighborhood!

Being out in our target communities gives us the opportunity to talk with residents, many of whom have already spayed/neutered their animal companions. Before we even started yesterday afternoon, we encountered Choppy, an already neutered bully breed who was out for a walk with his person. Choppy was rescued from a neglectful home. Later in the evening, we ran into residents who attended one of our clinics earlier this year. They brought their dog, Trinity, to the April 15, 2012 clinic. They let us know that Trinity had bounced back from surgery quickly and is doing well.

This Saturday, July 28, 2012, SpayHR and PBAC volunteers will be attending the East Ocean View Block Party. Come out to meet some dogs and spread the word about responsible pet ownership and free and low-cost spay/neuter in our community.

“Barn Cat” Special: (Very) Low-cost spay/neuter for barn cats

Partnering with the Virginia Beach SPCA Neuter Scooter, Suffolk Humane Society will offer spay/neuter for barn cats for a mere $20.00. Cats must be up to date on vaccinations. If they are not, vaccinations are offered at a low cost as well.

The “Barn Cat” special will be available July 18th and 19th and August 15th and 16th. On the 18th and 15th, the location is the Magnolia Ruritan Club; on the 19th and 16th, the location is the SHS office. On both days, surgery drop off time is 8:00am, and pick up time is 3:00pm.

Please visit Suffolk Humane Society’s Calendar of Events page for more information.

Spay/Neuter Assistance from PHS

Portsmouth Humane Society is offering spay/neuter assistance for Portsmouth residents.

Residents of Craddock, Prentis Park, and Lincoln Park, or residents receiving Government aid may qualify for FREE spay/neuter for large dogs. Please see their website for more information about requirements.

PHS is also working with PETA’s SNiP van to provide extremely economical spay and neuter surgeries. Residents can pay just $40 for dogs under 50 pounds and $25 for cats. For more information about costs and scheduling, visit the PHS website.

 

 

Free vaccines and low-cost surgeries for pets in Va. Beach

From the Virginian-Pilot:

Three animal groups are offering free vaccinations, shelter and bedding – along with reduced-cost spaying and neutering – for cats and dogs in Virginia Beach on Jan. 7.

To read the entire article, click here.

The cost of FREE (part 1)

A main component of Spay Hampton Roads is the Norfolk Pet Project, a long-term program that provides free spay/neuter to targeted neighborhoods based on income levels and calls to Animal Control. Most publicity for homeless pets focuses on animals at shelters or on the streets, with the goal of finding homes for them.  We are trying to take a step back to get to the root of the issue: that more animals are born than there are homes for. Who can help us get there? The humans charged with caring for these animals. If an explanation of how spay/neuter can save the lives of multiple animals and that the procedure can be done at a cost lower than expected (and sometimes for free), we believe people will decide to have their pet spayed/neutered.

What is the value of FREE, though? Let’s look at the costs associated with PETA’s SNIP and ABC vans, with whom we contract for surgeries. These mobile clinics already offer very reasonable prices for surgeries and general veterinary services for anyone with a pet.

Cat spay/neuter: $40

Dog spay/neuter: $70

$40 can buy 8 packs of cigarettes; $70 can buy a full tank of gas for a large truck or SUV. For the amount of money you might spend on coffee or fast food in a month, you could help your pet and save lives.

While the Norfolk Pet Project provides free spay/neuter for qualifying residents, there is a tangible, immediate ($40, $70) value to that service.

Neuter Scooter

In Hampton Roads there are numerous options for low cost spay/neuter and veterinary care.

Just one of those options – and one that comes to you – is the Virginia Beach SPCA’s Neuter Scooter:

The “scooter” as it is sometimes fondly called, currently serves five locations and has been invited to serve two more.  It was purchased last October and launched on “Spay Day” in February of 2007, with the objective of providing low-cost veterinary services to pet owners in the community who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford the necessary care their animals require.   As the name implies, the Neuter Scooter was designed to focus primarily on spaying and neutering the animals in order to continue preventing the overpopulation of felines and canines. (from http://vbspca.com/modules/vbspcainfo/item.php?itemid=13)

Today the Neuter Scooter will be at the Eastern Shore SPCA: 26528 Lankford Hwy., Olney, VA 23418.

A full schedule is available online or by calling 757-323-7729.