Freckles Friends Pet Shelter, Inc.

Program: Spay/Neuter Voucher Program

Program Description:

We began our Spay/Neuter Voucher Program in February of 2008 with a $2,600 grant from the Greg Biffle Foundation. As many citizens of our county are resistant to paying for the surgery yet do not qualify for low-income programs, we feel it is necessary of offer a low-cost solution for every pet owner, regardless of income. Vouchers are issued that are good for 30 days from issue. The voucher is used as a coupon towards surgical costs at participating local veterinarians and are issued for the following amounts:  female dog - $50, male dog - $40, female cat - $35, male cat $25. We believe that this will encourage many to neuter their pets that otherwise would be allowing litters to be born, adding to the problem.  The voucher program is primarily funded through our fundraising efforts and private donations.

Program Long-Term Success:

The ultimate goal of this program is to reduce pet over-population through assisting with the prohibitive costs of surgery.

Program Short-Term Success:

The short-term success of this program is to increase awareness of the pet over-population issue.

Program Success Monitored by:

Each voucher that is issued is recorded.  Upon receipt of the veterinarian's monthly statement, those vouchers used are logged as redeemed. 

Program Success Examples:

This program has been steadily growing.  We have helped numerous people to spay or neuter their pets.  Many pets neutered through our program were once strays that kind-hearted people have taken in and need financial help with the costs of surgery.

Program: Spay/Neuter

Program Description:

Spay Day USA is in February each year.  We plan to use this national event to help promote spay/neuter in our area.  In order to reduce the serious over-population of pets in our area, we are aggressively promoting the neutering of pets through newspaper articles, radio PSAs, flyers and ads. We are working to inform the public regarding the prevailing false myths concerning spay/neuter. We need funding for advertising expense including radio spots, print materials and newspaper ads in order to continue this program on an on-going basis.

Program Long-Term Success:

Program Short-Term Success:

Program Success Monitored by:

Program Success Examples:

Program: New Leash on Life Mobile Spay Station for low-income families

Program Description:

Thanks to the Community Foundation of Middle TN and the Animal Welfare Fund, we received grant funding of $5,000 to bring the Mobile Spay Station to DeKalb County one day each month in 2009.  Our co-sponsorship fee was is $425 per visit.  In addition, we are responsible for finding a suitable location, advertising, providing lunch for the staff and assisting with scheduling.  The spay station is a program of the New Leash on Life Organization in Lebanon, TN and provides spay/neuter surgeries to pets in low-income families. 25 - 30 pets are spayed or neutered during each visit. Clients must show proof of participation in a program such as Food Stamps, Disability or Medicaid in order to have their pets neutered.  In 2010, the program has been funded through private donations and fundraising efforts of our volunteers.  We hope to be able to continue this program in future years.

Program Long-Term Success:

The ultimate change that will result from this program is the reduction of the overall pet population in our community.

Program Short-Term Success:

There will be fewer litters born and fewer abandoned pets.

Program Success Monitored by:

This program will be considered successful as long as we can keep the schedule full and neuter 25-30 pets per visit.

Program Success Examples: