Vet News Giving it away feels soooo good (on neutering 91 cats in 3 hours)

Yeah, after neutering 91 cats in three hours our fingers might’ve been on automatic––and every male in my vicinity in the immediate thereafter should’ve been on high alert––but we felt sooooo good.

Sure, we could have neutered twice as many, but for our first event we did pretty darn good. Add an additional 120-plus spayed females and we were all on cloud nine. Spaying and neutering has its benefits...and not just for the individual cats, their future progeny and our community at large, but for all those who participated, too.

Here's a box of blades and testicles (in progress) as evidence of our good work:

Technicians, volunteers from the University of Miami pre-vet club and veterinarians united this past Sunday for an all-day spay-and-neuter-athon. We could’ve handled far more cases but it was our first event so we were cautious not to over-book. As it turned out, we should’ve booked at least twice as much––maybe more. God knows there were enough willing participants to make it happen.

And that alone was worth celebrating.

But it wasn’t without its downside. We had one cat succumb to an adverse anesthetic event. Considering his older, feral status and questionable health upon arrival, his death was a sadly unsurprising statistic among so many successes. Post-mortem is underway to determine his exact cause of death and we’re all mourning his loss in the interim. After all, one in 216 cats is NOT a welcome anesthetic risk. But we did our best.

Despite the depressing loss, we plan on undertaking three more similar events this year. Not only are the cats undoubtedly available for such events, the people needed to take on these cases––even as early a seven AM on a Sunday––are not lacking in numbers or enthusiasm.

There are so many of us willing to take overpopulation to task. All it requires is organization and leadership, willingly supplied by a cohort of local organizations and dedicated individuals. (Thanks to the South Florida Veterinary Association, the South Florida Veterinary Medical Foundation, Miami-Dade County Animal Services and The Cat Network, we made it happen.)

Here's (left to right) Dr. Marta Lista, Dr. Sara Pizano (Director of Miami-Dade Animal Services), myself and Dr. Maria Oliveiro posing for the cameras in the wake of the experience:

The same could be said of every community. But what’s yours doing to tackle the problem? Get motivated. Get ready. And arm yourselves appropriately. Low-cost and/or no-cost spays and neuters are doable on a large scale for a small price-tag if you know how to get things done. And God knows that’s what’s needed to curb the problem.

Here's where I beg you to volunteer to make an event happen. Offer your skills to your local SPCA, Humane Society or rescue group. If you haven’t the skills to participate in a technical capacity, help get the word out.

One more sterilized cat means hundreds less homeless, potentially euthanized animals. So...what do YOU do to get your community moving on this front?

***

A timely corollary:

On this March 24th, the day Florida’s mandatory spay/neuter legislation goes to committee, some might read some irony into this post. But there’s no inconsistency for this opponent of HB 451. Low-cost and no-cost spays and neuters are the solution to both unwanted pets and the teeming populations of ferals in any given community. Mandating sterilization only drives the problem deeper underground.

How many cat owners might have been dissuaded from bringing their personal cats to our Animal Services-related event had the spay/neuter law been in force? After all, about half of Sunday’s spays and neuters were owned and only a handful were less than four months old.

It’s worth considering.

March 24th, 2009

Add Comment33 Comments

Just curious - were the other half TNR's?

2CatMom March 24th, 2009 09:37:13 AM

Just curious: What are doing with the TNRs?

Fotini March 24th, 2009 10:18:41 AM

The others were feral cats who were either relocated or re-released in their colonies. We did not ask which. And in case you're wondering, in the end we did not tip the ears of the owned cats.

Dr. Patty Khuly March 24th, 2009 11:06:19 AM

There's been an interesting last-minute development in this bill that I should inform everyone about. Turns out the rep who introduced this bill has caught so much veterinary, animal control and public heat for the measure that it's been scrapped in favor of a bill (of the same designation, HB 451) that drops the mandate and merely allows for the use of a $5 surcharge (already tacked onto license fees in Florida and currently designated for staff education) for sterilization services.

This is welcome move--and a face-saving measure for Rep. Randolph. The bill will likely pass and animal control officers seem to be in favor of it. Though I worry that municipal animal control personnel will lose out on education, the emergency in animal sterilization seems to warrant it...temporarily, at least.

Luckily, animal services personnel now have access to free lectures sponsored by the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association. We began offering vet technician/assistant CE this year (four sessions) and we hope this effort will help offset any loss of educational opportunities at Animal Services.

Dr. Patty Khuly March 24th, 2009 11:23:38 AM

The fact that so many owners were eager to get this done, and I suspect very grateful for the opportunity, refutes the basic premise of MSN, that people are generally irresponsible and you have to threaten and coerce them to be "good" owners.

If a family is stressed financially, threatening them with ever escalating fines and penalties will not make them come running. Offering a useful service at a price (or no price) that they can afford without judgement or threats does.

Making pet owners and property owners who are living day to day with feral cats partners in the solution is a win win for everyone.

Giving ACs the power and in fact mandate to fine, seize pets and punish under MSN drives people out of the system in droves. Even if "amnesty" is offered, many people will not come forward out of fear, mistrust and even undeserved shame. And the trust that led so many pet owners to seek out your event will be irrevocably harmed.

JenniferJ March 24th, 2009 11:25:50 AM

Good news!

But don't let your guard down yet. Based on experience, the new bill could be amended again. Or it's original language could slip into another bill.

But here's hoping MSN is dead at the state level. :-)

JenniferJ March 24th, 2009 11:29:48 AM

I don't have anything of substance to add... just LOL@ the box of testicles :-p

Nana March 24th, 2009 11:41:03 AM

Maybe it's an unfounded fear but I am always very very nervous to put my animals under anesthesia. Have you lost many animals to this problem? I have heard stories that some animals just die when put under and it's not a dosing problems, they just can't handle it?

PS Bunch of good looking ladies in your office! Your staff should do a calendar or something to raise money!

Chuck March 24th, 2009 12:07:55 PM

WOW! Love the pictures, the blog, and the GOOD news! Should clearly illustrate a willingness, a need, and an ANSWER!

Great job, gals!

Barbara A. Albright/NH

Pocket's Story from NH March 24th, 2009 02:34:18 PM

Thank you! thank you thank you thank you, a hundred times thank you for doing this!

and yes, I too had to lol@box of testicles.. especially since I was noshing my lunch.. but it still brought a smile to my face.

Connie March 24th, 2009 02:47:24 PM

Come to think of it, maybe neutering wild-feral males (of the human variety) actually may be an interesting concept.

Animals do far less damge to the world then people do.

Evet March 24th, 2009 03:21:04 PM

Any volunteers guys?

Didn't think so.

Evet March 24th, 2009 03:41:42 PM

Thanks, Chuck. Nothing hotter than a bunch of animal loving Latina vets, right? As to the calendar––ummm...no thanks.

Dr. Patty Khuly March 24th, 2009 04:49:14 PM

Great job, Dr. K. No - Stellar job. :O)

As an opponent of MSN, and a proponent of low and no cost speuter services, I applaud your efforts at stadium volume! Now, if more of your colleagues would join the ranks.

What is really needed are some recommendations from a vet (say one such as yourself, just as an example... wink-wink...) on how a like minded vet or even layperson might go about organizing such an event. I realize several organizations have publications similar to this (such as NAIA for example) but written as a `Letter to the Vet`I think it may have a bigger impact.

Just a thought...

Keep up the great work - and congrats on a post surely the majority can agree on! LOL

Kim March 24th, 2009 06:40:57 PM

excellent job...a great contribution to help needy kitties.

LorriM March 24th, 2009 06:54:49 PM

kim: Approach your local VMA (Veterinary Medical Association) and/or your Animal Control an/or not-for-profit cat peeps. Don't write a letter--or do, but then show up in person.

Your VMA is a branch of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association). Point to what we've done here in Miami. See if you can show up at a meeting. Check their website. Email each and every officer and/or board member.

Send a targeted mass-mailing to the heads of animal control/shelter, not-for-profits and your VMA.

Say you want to help organize but need leadership. Claim to have many friends on board. It takes 45 minutes to do the basic research. Another hour to write a great hook of an email. Another 2 hours to attend a meeting. And maybe, just maybe, they'll bite. If not, try again in 6-12 months.

Good luck!

Dr. Patty Khuly March 24th, 2009 07:51:56 PM

Here in CT we have a group that runs a TNR spay/neuter clinic every month. My only issue is the fact that they casually spay VERY pregnant females. One vet tech volunteer seems to have a very cavalier attitude about it, and it bothered me enough to discourage me from volunteering again. I understand the thought process, but I personally think it is unethical to abort kittens that are practically viable. At subsequent clinics they actually had to euthanize the kittens. I know they are doing a lot of good, but it still bothers me. What do you think?

KB March 24th, 2009 07:55:23 PM

Can't say I didn't try! By the way very nice job on the kitties. Do you do dogs as well sometimes? Oh and have you ever performed a vasectomy on a dog?

Chuc March 24th, 2009 09:02:09 PM

I ain't volunteering. LOL

Evet March 24th, 2009 10:10:42 PM

Yay! Doc and crew...super work and great satisfaction at the end of the day!

Teri and the cats of Furrydance March 24th, 2009 10:12:29 PM

Hubby and I to TNR, when called on, where we live. We also volunteer at the large monthly free/low cost spay/neuter days at our local shelter and it never fails to make me giggle when he walks by the box of testes and says "mmm, wrapped candy"...Oh, and he wears his special underwear to every event, just in case he falls asleep. Printed across the front is "I'm neutered, please check ear tip".

Donna March 24th, 2009 11:14:46 PM

Donna: That's brilliant! I love the "special underwear." I think I know where I can have one printed up for the BF. Thanks!

On vasectomies: Yes, I'm willing and able! Here's a post on it.

At these events we only do cats but, as it happened, one dog walked in by accident and she got herself spayed (since we had time).

Dr. Patty Khuly March 25th, 2009 08:40:43 AM

Accidental spaying huh? Sounds interesting!

Chuck March 25th, 2009 11:18:45 AM

I'm going to not try to divert this topic as it's a good one but I am more worried about the ill effects on early spay/neuter. There is a balance that needs to be found of course as there are way too many unwanted pets in this crazy world but some of my own research suggested that your dog just doesn't grow right when it's neutered to early.

This article explains some of my fears.

I'm sure you're a busy woman but if you have time can you take a look at that article Dr. K? I would be really interested to see what you think as a vet.

Chuck March 25th, 2009 11:25:10 AM

Chuck: I'm aware of what Dr. Zink reports, its validity and its role in calling for more of the same research. I've written frequently here on the pros and cons of early neutering/spaying, including the points she raises. Ultimately, however, the jury is still out so the discussion with clients is getting more complex. Since there are no clear mandates/recommendations I'm waiting to see what more specific research shows before changing my protocols definitively in one direction or the other.

Dr. Patty Khuly March 25th, 2009 05:58:05 PM

Thanks! With overpopulation it's probably still advisable to recommend spay and neuter asap. Although our local SPCA will spay/neuter at like 9 weeks old. I don't like that.

Chuck March 25th, 2009 07:19:58 PM

شات

amal_ May 22nd, 2009 09:28:12 AM

دردشة

منتديات

sds June 26th, 2009 09:44:05 AM

ثيمات

ASAS July 4th, 2009 07:35:20 AM

Interested

Laptop Repair

naomy July 24th, 2009 03:17:30 AM

Thanks for your sharing.This is a good access to Amercrombie and Fitch

Ambecrombie and Fitch September 16th, 2009 04:51:23 AM

The timberland mens boots world can be changed by man endeavor, and that this endeavor can lead to something timberland men's 6 inch new and better .No man can sever the bonds that unite him to his society simply by averting his eyes . He must ever be receptive and sensitive to the new timberland men's classic; and have sufficient courage and skill to novel timberland shoes facts and to deal with them cheap timberland boots. http://www.timberboots.co.uk/

timberland shoes September 29th, 2009 09:12:35 AM

Blu ray Ripper

ret October 5th, 2009 10:26:43 AM

Add Commment

Log In

E-Mail:
Password:
Register
Reset Password

E-Mail:

Daily Vet

Careerists

Did you always want to be a vet or vet technician? Thinking about it? Working on it? Need some Help?

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

- Mohandas Gandhi