Case study: Creating a nonprofit spay and neuter program
After Veterinary Economics published "Caught in the Middle: Business vs. Compassion" in June 2004, we received several letters fueling the discussion. One in particular, from Dr. Lowell Novy of Valley Veterinary Clinic in Simi Valley, Calif., provided an interesting solution: Start a nonprofit organization to help cover costs.
CASE STUDY: CREATING A NONPROFIT SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM
After Veterinary Economics published "Caught in the Middle: Business vs. Compassion" in June 2004, we received several letters fueling the discussion. One in particular, from Dr. Lowell Novy of Valley Veterinary Clinic in Simi Valley, Calif., provided an interesting solution: Start a nonprofit organization to help cover costs.
"Seven years ago, feral cats were everywhere," Dr. Novy says. "Our city's euthanasia rate was 1,600 cats and dogs per year for a population of 94,000 people. I was forever being asked to assist spaying and neutering at drastically reduced prices. There I was--caught in the middle. So I started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Six years later, our community's euthanasia rate has dropped by 85 percent and feral cats are a rarity."
How does the program work? The finances donated to the nonprofit corporation, Valley Veterinary Clinic Charitable Non-Profit Corp., are used to augment the fees paid for below-cost surgeries and other services the organization provides for cats and dogs, Dr. Novy says. The surgeries are scheduled on one day per week during regular clinic hours and on special Spay Days. The nonprofit performs approximately 80 surgeries each month. The veterinarian performing these surgeries is compensated, however all other staff members are volunteers. Total revenue needed to run the operation each year: about $25,000.
Pet owners are mostly families with financial constraints, Dr. Novy says, and the nonprofit charges those owners depending on their specific situation. For example, a pet owner experiencing especially difficult financial times would not pay anything. They encourage pet owners without special financial barriers to visit their local veterinarian.
"One goal of the nonprofit is to provide financial assistance for spaying and neutering pets for those in need," says Dr. Novy. "We do not do this to gain clients for the clinic. Out of all the pets we've spayed and neutered as part of the nonprofit, maybe 15 or so have become clinic patients. Our other goals are to educate pet owners about the need to control overpopulation, publicize our successes, and assist other communities that are thinking about starting a spay and neuter program by providing information and advice."
Dr. Novy says that to form such an organization you need:
* A strong volunteer base to promote spaying and neutering, assist in trapping feral animals and during Spay Days, and provide community outreach.
* Dedicated veterinarians and staff members with a strong commitment to perform spay and neuter surgeries.
* Committed political officials and a group of citizens that will help to raise funds.
For more on how to form a nonprofit organiation, visit http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/ObjectID/EA3D3043-9A88-43F5-8DC869639F0F6E77/catID/CE94A6B3-EFB6-4036-8498D5414328FD73.
"I agree the pet overpopulation problem is not the fault of veterinarians. But, for certain, the problem will not go away without veterinarians. My hope is that other veterinarians will become proactive and help themselves and their communities out of this pet overpopulation mess."
If you're interested in forming a nonprofit similar to this one, or if you have any questions or comments, e-mail us at ve@advanstar.com.
