Spreading Successful Innovations:
High Volume/ High Quality Spay Clinics
Learning from a Humane Alliance replication clinic
In order to increase the numbers of surgeries, veterinarians can be trained in new techniques of spaying which incorporate smaller incisions, a more efficient removal of the reproductive organs, and hence a quicker operating and recovery time.
The first of these truly high-volume clinics, Humane Alliance, has been operating in western North Carolina for about ten years, and is now doing about 22,000 surgeries annually, serving 22 counties and about 30 shelters and rescue groups in the region. Realizing that this clinic could serve as a model, and save many more lives by preventing surplus litters, the Humane Alliance has gone on to provide a blueprint for these clinics, and has been responsible for the creation of fifty more clinics in urban areas across the country.
Marian’s Dream sees these clinics as one of the true keys to ending the companion animal surplus, and has given funding to two of them. With your help, as funding allows, Marian’s Dream will seek to support more of these replication clinics in the future.
Donate specifically to help High Volume/High Quality Spay Clinics (stationary clinics).
Recognizing a Solution:
The Beginnings of Mobile Clinics in the United States
In 1991, Marian’s Dream helped the Houston Animal Rescue Team fund one of their first mobile spay clinics, which later went on to become the highly successful SNAP program of Houston. In 1991, mobile clinics were controversial and extremely rare or even unknown, but Marian’s Dream realized these mobile clinics were another key to ending the companion animal surplus.
In addition to keeping the Houston stray population in check, the success of the SNAP clinics has been an inspiration, encouraging others to start up mobile spay clinics nationwide. There are now at least 50 in use.
In 1996, a $10,000 seed grant to TEAM helped to launch a statewide effort neutering about 12,000 cats annually via a mobile clinic. About 85 volunteers in various parts of the state ensure there is a steady stream of clients for the van, which operates six days a week, altering about 40 cats daily.
In 1999, a seed grant to the S.P.C.A. in Cattaraugus County, New York, helped to fund the Neuter Scooter. County officials matched the grant from Marian’s Dream and the mobile clinic van was launched. Since its inception, the S.P.C.A. has received a huge demand for low-cost spay/neuter from the local public, and the number of calls received by the S.P.C.A. regarding stray and unwanted cats was reduced considerably.
In addition to these mobile clinics, Marian’s Dream has funded startups of mobile vans in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
Donate specifically to help mobile clinics like this one.