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: kew84836@uga.edu

Kim Wolf

Beyond BreedFounder/Executive Directorwww.beyondbreed.org

www.linkedin.com/in/kim-wolf-34409859

@kimtwolf

www.facebook.com/kim.wolf.7