Those days are long gone. Now the new challenge is, "How do we meet the need!"
We just completed another Owner Support event, back in Pittsburg, CA where times are tough for under-resourced dog owners and the need is great. Every time we roll in to set up our event, dog owners are already waiting for us. In the case of this guy on the right, he camped out on the sidewalk at 5:30am with his two dogs - worried that he might miss out if he got there when registration officially started at 9am. He told us he knew how long the line could be for free surgeries and training help. It's a new day, I tellya.
And we're reminded yet again ... Accomplishing the goal of spaying/neutering dogs in our most challenged neighborhoods is as easy as pulling together the right kind of help in the right location then rolling out the welcome mat. No need for mandatory spay/neuter or other restrictive laws that alienate people from the helpers.
At this most recent event, 32 dogs showed up ready for surgery with one week's notice when their owners spotted a 'Celebrate Your Pit Bull' flyer in select Pittsburg and Antioch 'hoods. (We hit up the local mom & pop shops, laundromats, etc. and avoid using radio spots, etc, since we know that kind of exposure could attract out more dog owners than we're able to serve). Without appointments, their dogs were already fasted and waiting for surgeries: 17 males, 15 females completed and 11 more scheduled to be fixed when their balls drop, etc.
We're grateful to Well Pet Vet Clinic for doing the surgeries and to PetSmart Charities for sponsoring this event. This summer, we plan to publish information on how to get this kind of response from your community, so stay tuned. Til then, turn up the volume and enjoy...
Donna:
ReplyDeleteBefore one of these clinics, do you first find a willing vet hospital in that neighborhood, who will both perform the surgeries and handle post-op appointments? Do they volunteer their time, or is there a fee? How do you decide where to set up the free clinic? And how do you keep the dogs (and their people) from getting overheated, bored or into scuffles with other waiting dogs? Thanks! Amanda
Hi Amanda - We pay for the supplies needed for surgery, and sometimes for a vet's day rate if s/he requires one. Everything else is volunteer help. Canopies, wet towels and water are ready to help prevent overheating. Dogs don't argue because we manage the line and provide on-the-spot training (talk about having a captive audience!). Clients are typically very appreciative and willing to wait what could be several hours. All our secrets will be revealed when we launch our how-to guide this summer. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just flagged 29 puppy ads on the San Francisco Craigslist site. I have been doing this several times a day for several weeks now, and there are 29 new ones just today. This does not count Sacramento, Stockton, Monterey or all the other Craigslist sites that are overflowing with prohibited breeder ads.
ReplyDeleteUntil all the puppy mills and backyard breeders are out of business from selling puppies on Craigslist, print ads and through their own websites; until all the shelters in the country are no longer overflowing with puppies, kittens, surrendered dogs and lost pets who never get claimed; until shelters don't have to euthanize animals strictly for lack of space, I will support mandatory spay/neuter laws. They are the key to stopping the constant bloodshed occurring in shelters all around the country.
There are a small number of people who will voluntarily spay/neuter and that is wonderful, but those numbers are a minute fraction to all the people who will not spay/neuter because they want to breed their dogs and make money.
I challenge every single person reading this blog to visit their local Craigslist once a day, go to the Pets section and flag every single litter of puppies and kittens listed. That will let everybody know exactly how bad the problem really is.
Bravo BADRAP it looks like yet another successful event! As I watched the video it brought back memories from the event in October 2011. I applaud all of the BADRAP volunteers for their dedication and desire to assist these communities in need. Donna, I eagerly await the publication of your "how to" manual. :) Wish I could have been there to help with this event.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the how-to. My crew are all "fixed" but see so many that are not. I hear so many people say things like "my dog is a working dog and if I neuter him he won't be good for herding anymore." Or "Oh, she never leaves the yard so we don't have to worry about that." Arrgghhh...I am hoping that there will be soon a nationwide campaign about the long term benefits for the dog of spay/neuter. Aside from less dogs in the shelters.
ReplyDeleteAlso I am SO LOOKING FORWARD TO a PETSMART opening in my area soon. Any corporation that funds something like this will get my greenbacks any day!
Good job all!
That's absolutely wonderful!! I would love to see that in my area.
ReplyDelete@Jackie - Sacramento has mandatory spay/neuter of all breeds. It doesn't sound like it's been the answer though.
ReplyDeleteI manage a Pit Bull Spay-Neuter Program in New York - we cannot keep up with the demand either - We have 125 dogs on our waiting list. People WANT to spay and neuter... we are having trouble raising enough money to keep up! the majority of these owners have taken in Pit Bulls that were either abandoned or being abused, or someone was going to bring to a shelter. They LOVE their dog, but cannot afford the high cost of SN.
ReplyDeletePit Bull Princess - Thankyou for your steady work! Have you found a way to broadcast your need for funds to get the surgeries done?
ReplyDeleteNot other than locally - if you have any ideas I would be appreciative to hear them. thank you!
ReplyDeleteGood info! Thanks for sharing with us on your blog.
ReplyDelete