BC SPCA success in combating the 'cat crisis'

The British Columbia SPCA funded a record number of spay and neuter surgeries for cats in communities across the province in 2014. 

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A major focus on the BC SPCA's five-year Strategic Plan is ensuring every cat in B.C. has a loving home, yet there are tens of thousands of felines across the province who live outdoors, facing several predators and dangers. With a total of 4,600 surgeries in 2014, the organization has more than doubled its surgeries since 2012 (2,150). 

"It is such great news," said Amy Morris, BC SPCA policy and outreach officer. "While we can't control the number of cats who are abandoned or born outside, we certainly do our best to reduce those numbers, which ultimately means far fewer cats who don't have warm, loving homes." 

To help combat British Columbia's cat crisis, the BC SPCA works with donors, volunteers, veterinarians, partner organizations and cat advocates through several community programs designed to help spay and neuter outdoor cats, among many other initiatives. 

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Capturing the conversations of the 2014 AASAO Conference

The Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario (AASAO) is gearing up to host its annual  Conference, September 25-26, 2014.

Conference organizers are confident this year's event will be a valuable educational experience with plenty of networking opportunities. 

A quick look at this year's topics: 

•  Increasing Your Internal Capacity: Retention Methods that Work
• Employee Retention: Methods that Motivate
• Saving Lives with the ASV Guidelines - A Canadian Journey
• Partnerships & Alternative Revenue Concepts for Municipalities and Humane Societies
• Evidence-Based Approaches to Understanding Companion Animal Relinquishment and Address Cat Overpopulation 
• Does Genetics Present an Inexpensive, Non-Surgical Alternative for Sterilizing Shelter Animals 
• Rethinking the Cat Crisis - Obstacles and Opportunities 

To view the complete program, CLICK HERE!

The Saving Power of Fee-Waived Adoption

Stephanie McDonald

InfoStream Guest Author 

I think I can easily say that for the past few years one of the most difficult and heart-breaking challenges that shelters, rescue groups and animal controls face is the homeless cat population. In a nutshell, there are simply too many cats being admitted to a shelter and not enough folks coming to adopt. An oversimplification of a complex issue, to be sure, but that’s the result from a shelter perspective.

The highest intake season for cats, at least in Edmonton, typically starts around the third week in May and lasts well into the late fall. Gorgeous cats and kittens that take your breath away with their beauty and elegance enter the admitting doors day after day.

In no time at all, it seems, the shelter is in gridlock, meaning that cats are not being adopted quickly enough from the adoption floor to make room for those from the holding areas. Soon after, the holding areas fill up, but there are still cats that need help. In short order, there is “no room at the inn”.

This issue seems never-ending and, as a shelter, we developed several strategies to help manage this situation year after year. It just never seemed to be enough. We needed another option.

I had heard of a few shelters in the US trying a new approach to the problem – drastically reducing or waiving adoption fees altogether for cat adoptions as a special event. I had not heard of a Canadian shelter trying this initiative, but thought it might be worth discussing. Would this approach work in our community?

The internal discussions were intense. Many of our staff, volunteers and stakeholders were sceptical. After all, we had, for a long time, been struggling to elevate the value of cats in our community – wouldn’t waiving the adoption fee result in the kind of de-valuing we struggled with each and every day?  However, after several internal brain-storming sessions with our amazing team, we decided to give it a shot, and “fee-waived” events were re-imagined for our shelter.

What a success they were, the community responded brilliantly. The adoption gallery flooded with all sorts of people from all walks of life, all sorts of income levels - families, couples, single people - you name it, they adopted. In a single weekend, so much pressure was taken off the shelter feline areas. It felt good to have an empty adoption floor, even if it was only for a short time. It felt good to know that all cats and kittens were spayed or neutered in their new homes. It felt good to know we could help more cats in need in our community. 

But those nagging questions about hosting these events remained - did the cats and kittens end up in responsible homes or were they considered disposable simply because they were free? Did we do right by them?

When Dr. Slater of the ASPCA approached me at a conference and offered us the opportunity to participate in a study that would provide us some answers to our nagging questions we jumped at the opportunity. 

The Saving Power of Fee-Waived Adoption 

The results were what exactly what we hoped for and now we know for certain that fee-waived cat events save more lives and do not decrease the value of cats.

If you work in an animal shelter, rescue group or animal control facility, I hope you will have the courage to host an event like this when you are at full capacity or even think about doing it before you ecome full as a proactive measure.  If you’re an animal lover in a community where an event like this is held – recognize that the shelter that is holding it is trying to save lives.  Be supportive, and if you have the room, time and inclination to add a pet to your family – adopt!

Research done at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) by ASPCA's Dr. Margaret Slater found that fee-waived cats are just as loved and valued as ones with a price tag. 

The Saving Power of Fee-Waived Adoption 

The study, conducted from November 2011 to February 2013, analyzed surveys of 344 adopters who participated in one of six fee-waived events held at EHS during that time. The research directly compares 138 non fee-waived adopters to 206 fee-waived adopters at the same shelter during the same time period. 

ABOUT STEPHANIE MCDONALD: Stephanie McDonald was the CEO for the Edmonton Humane Society for over 12 years.  Stephanie introduced a multitude of innovative shelter operational improvements, focusing on improved animal care, customer service, fiscal management, disaster response and employee satisfaction.

Stephanie has been recognized internationally and locally for her contributions to animal welfare and has received several prestigious awards.

Stephanie continues to mentor and advise/consult with various shelters, rescue groups and animal controls across North America.

Collaboration Chips Cats!

Erica Coomber
InfoStream Guest Author

The proof that collaboration is alive and well in our community was proven this past weekend during the First Annual Free Feline Microchip Clinic held in Red Deer, AB. 

Red Deer & District SPCA, Whisker Rescue Society of Alberta and Alberta Animal Services joined forces to offer up a Free Microchip Clinic for cats in our community. 

"The overwhelming public response was simply incredible. The three important animal welfare agencies in our area have proven that working together in our community with pets and people can truly be a great thing," said George Potter, CAO, Alberta Animal Services. 

When the clinic opened at 9:30 a.m., lineups extended out the door. By the end of the day, the clinic microchipped more than 200 cats. 

"We at Whisker Rescue want to extend our deepest gratitude to Alberta Animal Services and the Red Deer & District SPCA for including us in this wonderful and positive event," said Stacy Worobetz, Founding Executive Director, Whisker Rescue. "This was our first time helping at a microchip clinic and we were so happy to see the large turnout an all the thankful and responsible pet owners. We hope to be a part of many more to come."

The clinic was spearheaded by the trio of organizations but support and donations took place behind the scenes as well, said Erica Coomber, Shelter Administrator for Alberta Animal Services. Eidap Inc. provided hundreds of microchips for the event and PetLynx offered up Lifetime Recovery Subscriptions with every procedure. Hill's Science Diet also donated bags of treats to hand out to cat owners. 

"The Red Deer & District SPCA is proud to work in collaboration with Whisker Rescue and Alberta Animal Services to offer this important service to our community," said Tara Hellewell, Executive Director, Red Deer & District SPCA. "There is a great demand placed on all of our organizations to provide costly support and care to so many stray & abandoned cats. Through the support of community sponsors and caring volunteers, we can be sure that more lost cats make it back to their owners." 

Dezerae Jenkins, Alberta Animal Services & Peter, Whisker Rescue
Photo courtesy of Alberta Animal Services

BC SPCA’s five-year plan focuses on cats

The BC SPCA's new Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 has a primary focus on helping the province address its overwhelming cat crisis, according to chief executive officer Craig Daniell. 

Daniell said the BC SPCA and other animal welfare groups have taken major steps in the past several decades to help communities reduce the number of surplus cats but that more needs to be done. 

"The BC SPCA has invested millions of dollars in low-cost spay/neuter programs, the creation of spay/neuter clinics and a wide range of other programs and services to significantly reduce the number of feral and abandoned cats in B.C.," said Daniell. "In our new Strategic Plan, we are ramping up these efforts and proposing creative ways to partner with local governments, veterinarians, businesses, rescue groups and members of the public to save more animal lives." 

The objective of the Strategic Plan is to help create humane communities by offering greater support in areas such as education, cruelty prevention and advocacy. The Plan also addresses opportunities to combat animal cruelty and suffering in B.C. 

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Feral cat clinics offered in BC communities

The BC SPCA is offering free spay/neuter clinics for feral cats in Vancouver, Prince George and Kamloops beginning 23 February 2014. The efforts are a part of the society's efforts to reduce pet overpopulation in B.C. 

Several B.C. communities suffer from cat overpopulation and the BC SPCA has used many approaches over the years to combat this. Spay/Neuter grants, grassroots community meetings and feral cat clinics are some of the most successful initiatives to date. 

Clinic dates: 
Vancouver - February 23
Kamloops - March 12
Prince George - March 14

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Supporting Community Cats - Free webinars

PetSmart Charities and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has announced its February sessions of the Supporting Community Cats series.  This eight-month webinar series, which began in January, is aimed at helping start a colony-level TNR program, conduct TNR at the community level or take current programs to a new level. 

The HSUS and PetSmart Charities are focused on providing interested individuals and organizations with proper training and management of the cats in their communities. Each month will have three tracks: Colony Level; Community Level; and Hot Topics. 

Next month's free webinars include: Have a Plan! An Overview of the TNR Process; Targeted TNR - Making the Most of Your Resources; and Creating Wining Nonprofit and Municipal Partnerships. 

CLICK HERE for more information. 

BC SPCA to provide spay/neuter grants to BC communities in 2014

The BC SPCA is offering $87,500 in spay/neuter grants in 2014 to help communities across British Columbia address pet overpopulation concerns. 

Now in its second year, the program allocates funds to registered animal charities and non-profits, municipalities, veterinarians, BC SPCA branches, First Nations governments and First Nations tribal councils. Of this funding, $80,000 is designated for cats and $7,500 for dogs and rabbits. 

Successful applicants for this program must meet specific criteria and be able to administer the grant. The deadline to apply is Feb. 21, 2014.  

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BC SPCA announces $157,920 grant to reduce homeless cat population in Campbell River

The BC SPCA announced last week it received another grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada for the spaying and neutering of cats in Campbell River. 

The $157,920 grant will fund a program to sterilize at least 1,500 cats over the next two years which, according to BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell, will prevent the birth and suffering of as many as 6,000 homeless kittens per year in Campbell River. The surgeries, which will be offered free of charge to low-income pet owners and community cat caretakers, also include a permanent identification tattoo. 

"Cat overpopulation is one of the most serious animal welfare issues facing communities across B.C. and Campbell River has one of the largest populations of stray and feral cats anywhere in the province," said Daniell. "We are extremely grateful to PetSmart Charities of Canada for allowing us to work with cat guardians in Campbell River to reduce the suffering of unwanted and abandoned cats in the regions. 

Daniell notes the BC SPCA spends nearly $2 million each year on low-cost spay/neuter initiatives in B.C. communities and targets communities with the most serious overpopulation. 

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RIP Tuxedo Stan

Tuxedo Stan, the Halifax cat who made International headlines with his bid for mayor in 2012, lost his battle with terminal cancer yesterday. 

Stan was a three-year-old cat born to a feral mother in Halifax who aimed to raise awareness of the increasing feral and stray cat situation in the city.

Stan was diagnosed with cancer just two months after last year's election. The day before Stan was euthanized, his brother, Earl Grey, announced his intention to run for Premier of Nova Scotia and continue Stan's legacy. 

Stan's campaign managers (owners), Kathy and Hugh Chisholm, presented Stan's rise to power and the Tuxedo Party's aspirations for a humane world at the 2013 Regional Conferences in Halifax. 

"While we are all saddened to have Tuxedo Stan leave us, his contribution to raising awareness for cats in his community emboldens us to take the lessons we all learned to communities across North America," said Larry Evans, executive producer of the Urban Animal Program. 

From the time Tuxedo Stan announced he would run for mayor, the Tuxedo Party garnered international media attention with Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper endorsing the feline. Stan's Facebook page boasts more than 17,000 Likes and the Party centres around a strong social media strategy. A Tuxedo Stan product line selling plush 'minion' dolls, t-shirts and even a men's body wash all raised funds for Spay Day HRM, a non-profit society in Nova Scotia. The Spay Day Program is an initiative to address the cat over-population by assisting students and low-income families to spay and neuter their cats. 

Nova Scotia experiencing cat overpopulation crisis

The Nova Scotia SPCA is pleading for assistance from communities across the province to either adopt or donate as it suffers higher than normal intake levels and capacity issues. 

A recent internal survey found the Nova Scotia network of SPCA branches has been forced to wait list more than 1,000 cats who are not able to be accommodated at this time. This number is up nearly 25% from the same time last year. 

As the Nova Scotia SPCA is a no-kill organization, adoption, fostering and monetary donations are primary means of dealing with over-capacity issues. In response, shelters across the province are offering discounts on adoption fees and the Provincial Animal Shelter has many cats up for adoption that have had their fees waived completely. 

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Winnipeg Humane giveaway a success

More than 200 cats found new homes during the one-day cat giveaway event hosted by Winnipeg Humane Society, August 16. 

Earlier this month, the WHS reported it had reached capacity and was struggling to house the roughly 220 cats arriving weekly. The shelter experienced a dramatic increase in cat intake during the summer months with more than 1,750 stray and abandoned cats arriving between May 1 and August 11. Hundreds had to be euthanized. 

The event offered free adoption for older cats and $25 adoption rates for kittens. Before the doors opened at 11 a.m., there were more than 200 people lined up. By 6 p.m., all available cats from the Winnipeg and Pembina Valley humane societies had been adopted. 

Humane society staff told CTV News they have had similar promotions other years but have never seen a response this large. 

Winnipeg Humane Society waiving cat adoption fees as hundreds of cats look for homes

Shelter overpopulation and adoption are top priorities of the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) right now as they struggle to find space to house the roughly 220 cats that arrive at the shelter every week. In an effort to find homes for the hundreds of animals coming through the shelter, the WHS is offering to waive cat adoption fees for one day. 

Over 1,750 stray and abandoned cats arrived at WHS between May 1 and August 11. Around 600 entered the shelter in July alone. According to a press-release dated August 13, these numbers are expected to increase in the coming weeks and the shelter is presently at capacity. 

"We're seeing too many cats coming into the shelter, and we simply do not have the space to house them all," said Judy Dean, Adoptions Manager at the WHS. "We'd much rather see these cats go to loving homes than face the alternative." 

On Friday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. there will be no fees to adopt a cat over four months of age. Kittens under four months will be $25 to adopt. Normal adoption rates for kittens is $179. Regular adoption processes will still be in effect. Potential adopters need to bring ID with current address and can expect the process to take over 40 minutes. All cats adopted from the WHS are spayed/neutered, tattooed, vaccinated and receive six weeks of Petsecure pet insurance. 

OSPCA program helps feed feral cats

The Ontario SPCA launched a new program to help allieviate the financial burden to feral cat colony caretakers in the province. 

According to an OSPCA news release, it is estimated that over 430,000 homeless cats roam the streets of Toronto alone and feral cat colonies continue to emerge. The individuals caring for these cats by feeding, sheltering and attempting to trap, neuter and release (TNR) the cats do so most often out of the goodness of their hearts and out of pocket. 

The new program will provide free dry and canned food out of the Ontario SPCA Newmarket location.  In order to utilize the program, the OSPCA is asking that each caretaker has taken the Feral Cat Workshop offered by the Toronto Feral Cat Project. 

To reserve cat food, caretakers must contact Monica Seto at 905-898-7122 ext. 383 or by email at mseto@ospca.on.ca to arrange a pick-up time. 

For more information on the Feral Cat Workshop, please visit www.feraltoronto.com. 

Tuxedo Stan at Atlantic Regional Conference

Halifax's mayoral 'cat'didate Tuxedo Stan launched a new product line at the end of March: a body wash for men (not cats). 

The cleanser is just one of many products featured in Stan's online store where all profits go to Spay Day HRM, a non-profit program which raises funds for spaying and neutering of cats for low-income families. 

Tuxedo Stan is a three-year-old cat born to a feral mother in Halifax who aims to raise awareness of the increasing feral and stray cat situation in Halifax and fights for a humane world. 

The story of Tuxedo Stan - cat advocate, mayoral candidate, national icon, social media wizard - will be presented by his campaign manager, Dr. Hugh Chisholm, as part of the Regional Innovation Showcase at the Atlantic Regional Conference in Halifax, 18 April, 2013. 

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Grants help B.C. communities combat cat overpopulation

Fifteen municipalities or non-profit organizations have been announced as recipients of the new BC SPCA Community Cat Spay/Neuter Grant Program, which was established as a result of reported cat overpopulation in several communities across the province. 

The program wil provide up to 1,000 operations and prevent the birth of 5,000 kittens this year in B.C. communities, according to BC SPCA calculations. Eligibility for funding was determined by evidence of a community problem with homeless and unwanted cats, the ability to match funds within the community and the participation of a veterinary practice willing to discount its services. 

"Pet overpopulation is an issue in every community," said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA. "The BC SPCA spends nearly $2 million each year on spay/neuter initiatives across the province and we are very excited to launch this new initiative in partnership with municipalities and rescue organizations." 

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Parliament Hill cat sanctuary shuts down

After more than five decades, the cat sanctuary on Parliament Hill in Ottawa officially closed down last week.

The cats were recruited in the 1950's to catch rodents and at one time, more than 30 felines took residence in the area. Effective Trap Neuter Return (TNR) strategies have dwindled the population to only four cats. One volunteer recalled no kittens have been born to the colony for 10 to 15 years. 

It has been suggested that it would be great to have a memorial plaque at the site to educate the public about cat overpopulation, the cause of feral cats and the history of the colony that finally ended through the use of TNR and natural attrition, said Elizabeth Glibbery, Toronto Animal Services manager. 

"Kudos to great volunteers that dedicated their time and money to look after these cats with the ultimate goal of addressing the homeless cat issue," added Glibbery. "The closing of this colony is proof that TNR works even though the Caretakers of this colony will find it a bitter-sweet ending to their mission." 

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