Person Submitting Proposal: Katie Rooney

Transcription

1 Grant ID: 322 Title of Proposal: PET AID Spay Subsidy Agency Type: Non-Profit Total Funding Requested: $15, Check Payable To: North Florida PAWS, Inc. Application Information Demographics Name of Applicant Agency: North Florida PAWS, Inc. Person Submitting Proposal: Katie Rooney Website Address: Position: Director Organization Business Address: PO Box 9 City: Jennings State: FL Zip: Phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx): Fax: Cell: Address: northfloridapaws@windstream.net Agency Details Dates of Last Fiscal Year: Begin: 01/01/11 End: 12/31/11 Organization Income in Last Fiscal Year: $279, Organization Expenses in Last Fiscal Year: $279, Number of Paid Employees: Full Time: 3 Part Time: 0 Number of Active Volunteers: 8 Total Volunteer Hours per Week: How did you learn of the 2009 Florida Animal As a supporter of FAF, we learned of the 2012 grant from FAF Friend grant competition? notification. Year(s) of previous Florida Animal Friend 2006, 2008, 2010 grants (if applicable): Describe your agency: Services Provided Unlimited Intake Shelter Limited Intake Shelter Foster Network Animal Control Spay/Neuter Services Other Organization Structure: City, county, or tribal agency Private nonprofit agency Other 1 of 6 9/5/12 2:48 PM

2 List your current board of directors: Name Title Phone Occupation Doug Rooney Director, Vice President Practice Manager, RN, Vet Tech Katie Rooney Director, President, Treasurer Executive Director Scott Rooney Director EMS Supervisor Applicant Qualifications For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year: 0 cats and 0 dogs were admitted. 0 cats and 0 dogs were adopted. 0 cats and 0 dogs were euthanized cats and 1258 dogs were sterilized. Briefly describe your animal programs: We operate a Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic providing affordable surgery to pet owners in rural North Central Florida, targeting low-income pet owners who cannot afford private veterinary spay/neuter services. We have sterilized over 10,700 dogs and cats in a little over 4 years. PAWS also supports adoption programs through local shelters and rescues. Volunteers promote humane education, particularly to children, through presentations in schools and community organizations. If your program performs adoptions, are all animals sterilized before adoption? Yes If not all, what percentage of animals are not currently sterilized before adoption? If not all, how are animals selected for sterilization before adoption? If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization after adoption: Give additional background information on your organization's programs as they relate to this application and the qualifications of the personnel who will be in charge of this program. Show that you have the ability to carry ou this program. North Florida PAWS was incorporated February 14, 2000, to support animal shelters and rescues in the Suwannee Valley, a large rural area in North Central Florida. When the Board of Directors decided to establish a Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic to serve this area, PREVENTION became our mantra. Since opening the doors over 4 years ago, we have performed 10,700 spays/neuters. PERSONNEL: Katie Rooney, President/Treasurer, is in charge of all administrative aspects of running the clinic. Experience includes 23 years as a Human Resources Manager with Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and 12 years as Director of North Florida PAWS. Our veterinary team consists of: 1) Dr. Jennifer Green, a full-time veterinarian/surgeon, FL License # VM11155 worked at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary prior to moving to Florida. 2) Doug Rooney, RN, Practice Manager, VP of PAWS, and full-time volunteer veterinary technician with over 37 years experience as a surgical and emergency room RN and over 4 years assisting in spay/neuter surgery. As PAWS representative with FACA, he has successfully completed the 40-hour animal control course and is certified in Euthanasia and Chemical Capture. 3) Nelly Quijada, a veterinary technician with over 20 years of experience as a veterinarian in Venezuela and technician since becoming a U.S. resident. She has worked at PAWS since it opened. If you currently have a program for sterilization of cats and/or dogs, describe your current level of funding and productivity and why additional resources are needed? Currently the spay/neuter clinic is funded through client co-payments at very low rates, optional low-cost preventive care services, retail sales of pet-related items, dog obedience training, and donations. We perform over 2,500 surgeries per year, 3 days per week. Of the population in our service area (153,462) 20% or 30,692 live BELOW poverty level with significantly more at or just above the poverty level. Many of these people are on government assistance and cannot afford even our low rates. If we can reduce the cost by an additional $30, we can sterilize more dogs and cats from this under served group. Target Population 2 of 6 9/5/12 2:48 PM

3 Geographical target area (name of city, county, etc.): Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee, Columbia, Lafayette and Union Counties Total human population in target area: 153,462 Percent of residents living below poverty in target area: 20% Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3): Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0): Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0): Number of cats admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) Number of dogs admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) Number of cats euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) Number of dogs euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 3,462 3,437 3,151 2,311 Please explain if you believe your target area animal population is significantly different than above. The statistics above are from the Lake City/Columbia County Humane Society/Animal Control which is the only major shelter in the six-county area we serve. Hamilton, Lafayette and Union Counties do not have animal shelters. Madison and Suwannee Counties have very limited shelters. We believe the number of dogs and cats as pets, strays, and ferals, is much higher due to the limited animal control resources, low education, and culture of this very rural area. Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the target area: The vast majority of dogs and cats come from the indigenous population whose farming culture permits dogs and cats to run loose and procreate at will. The majority of undocumented workers and their families come from similar backgrounds. In addition to severe economic disadvantages, made worse by the current economy, the education level is striking. The high school drop-out rate is 30% average for the 6 counties. What kinds of spay/neuter services are currently available in the target area and in what ways are these resources currently insufficient to meet community needs? The closest low-cost clinics are Animal Aid in Tallahassee, No More Homeless Pets Operation Petsnip in Gainesville, and Clay County Humane Society in Jacksonville area. These facilities are excellent, but too far a distance for the majority of residents in PAWS' commuting area. When we are contacted by pet owners living closer to these facilities, we make appropriate referrals. There are plans for the new private Animal Shelter (North Florida Animal Rescue) in Wellborn, Suwannee County, to offer low-cost vaccination clinic and possibly spay/neuter services to the local community. When this will happen, the estimated number of surgeries offered, and charges are unknown at this time, but we welcome this service to the area. Florida Animal Friend is highly supportive of proposals that are focused on animal populations that are identified as substantial sources of dog or cat overpopulation rather than being diluted over too broad of a geographic area or diverse animal populations. Describe the specific target animal population of the spay/neuter project proposed for this grant: Pets in low-income families Especially difficult or unique animal overpopulation sources Pit bull dogs Feral cats Special spay/neuter event Other Objectives 3 of 6 9/5/12 2:48 PM

4 What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific and quantifiable)? Spay 500 female dogs and cats belonging to the lowest income pet owners in our service area who would not otherwise be able to sterilize their pets. We are contacted weekly by pet owners who cannot even afford our low rates because their income is so severely limited. How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the existing baseline? With this financial support, we could add clinic days to accommodate the additional, subsidized surgeries. The grant will be used to cover the additional salary and associated expenses for spay surgeries only. Methods What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for the program? Pet owners would have to be currently in receipt of income-based government assistance (Medicaid, SSI, Food Stamps). In addition, they will be required to complete an application documenting income does not exceed 150% of Federal Poverty guidelines. How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target audience. English and Spanish versions of Flyer posted in locations frequented by low-income families such as DCF, health department, libraries, schools, etc.; PSAs to local newspapers and on radio stations; prominent posting on our website; and referrals from local animal shelters and rescues who already recommend our clinic to adopters and others inquiring about spay/neuter. How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation, illiteracy, and cultural hurdles? PAWS currently offers weekly van transports from Lake City in Columbia County. We can add other pick-up points as needed to serve pet owners without reliable transportation. Several of our volunteers have offered to help with transportation. Many residents are Spanish-speaking and we are fortunate that our Vet Tech Nelly Quijada can interpret for us. She also translates our flyers, PSAs, and other material and spreads the word in the Hispanic community. Does this project involve the transportation of animals by someone other than the client? If so, describe the vehicles, methods for confinement, personnel training, liability releases used to assure the safety of the animals and handlers. Katie and Doug Rooney, officers of North Florida PAWS, drive their E350 Heavy Duty Ford Diesel Van to the pick-up site in Lake City. We provide crates for the dogs and carriers for cats. The Rooneys and PAWS both carry liability insurance. We re able to transport up to 20 animals and this system has been very successful for over three years. Veterinary Services Objectives What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries? North Florida PAWS employs Dr. Jennifer Green who is the Responsible Veterinarian for our spay/neuter clinic in Jennings. Veterinary Practices Practice Name Address City State Zip Phone Lead Practice North Florida PAWS, Inc. PO Box 9 Jennings FL Fee Range What is the fee range to be paid for spay and neuter and what is the distribution to be paid by the client vs. the grant program? Keep in mind that Florida Animal Friend grant funds may only be used for costs directly associated with sterilization surgery (including anesthesia and pain control) and not for other items such as vaccines, testing, licensing, and capital purchases. 4 of 6 9/5/12 2:48 PM

5 Amount Paid by Client Amount Paid by Project Total Amount Range for Male Cats $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Range for Female Cats $15.00 $30.00 $45.00 Range for Male Dogs $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Range for Female Dogs $34.00 $30.00 $64.00 Please check each item below to indicate additional services offered at the time of surgery, whether the client is required to pay for them, and if so what the fee is. For example, if an examination is required for surgery but is not charged to the client it would be marked: Required Yes, Fee to client No Required, Optional, or Not Offered Fee to Client? Examination Required Optional Not Available No Yes Rabbies Vaccination if Due Required Optional Not Available No Yes $9.00 Other Vaccination if Due Required Optional Not Available No Yes $10.00 Pain Medication Required Optional Not Available No Yes Parasite Medication Required Optional Not Available No Yes $10.00 Testing Required Optional Not Available No Yes Licensing Required Optional Not Available No Yes Ear tipping Required Optional Not Available No Yes Other Required Optional Not Available No Yes If necessary, please explain the procedures and fees described above: For this program, surgery charge to clients for female dogs is $29 for 2-25 pounds and $39 over 25 pounds for an average charge of $34. There is no additional charge for a recovery collar and a 3-day supply of take-home pain medication for dogs. A current rabies vaccination is the only mandatory requirement. Other vaccinations and tests are available. Is this a voucher program? If so, how will you assure compliance with the program? No. Surgeries are performed by our staff veterinarian at our on-site clinic. Other Information Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals. The financial ability to spay an additional 500 dogs and cats belonging to owners who cannot afford our low-cost services would be an incredible boost to our mission of reducing the number of unwanted puppies and kittens born in rural North Central Florida. Budget Total number of sterilization surgeries projected: Cats: 275 Dogs: 225 Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000): $15, Average cost/surgery projected: $30.00 Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for: Charges above the $30 subsidy will be made by co-payments from the clients. We have several fund-raising events and programs planned which may allow us to further reduce to cost to eligible pet owners. Timeline All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding. Any unexpended funds must be refunded to Florida Animal Friend within 30 days of the end of the project. Requests for time extensions must be made in writing at least 30 days prior to the end of the project. Funding for accepted projects will be available after August 1, Projected start date: 08/15/12/ Projected end date: 08/14/13 5 of 6 9/5/12 2:48 PM

6 Future Funding Explain how the organization plans to fund this program in the future. Having plans beyond seeking funds from other funders enhances the chances of receiving this grant. PAWS has two new volunteers who are currently planning several fund-raising events, including a targeted donation program "Sponsor a Spay" to fund as many future PET AID Spays as possible in addition to the 500 funded by this grant. Promotion of Florida Animal Friend Spay/Neuter License Plate Applicants selected for funding are expected to publicize their grant in support of their spay/neuter program via press releases, newsletters, website links, etc. In addition, they are expected to promote the sales of license plates so that additional spay/neuter grants can be funded. Please describe your plan to promote the Florida Animal Friend Spay/Neuter License Plate. PAWS continuously promotes the FAF S/N License Plate on the home page of our website, official posters and brochures at the clinic, on our handouts, and license plates on our vehicles. 6 of 6 9/5/12 2:48 PM