|
Grant ID:
1735
|
|
Charlotte County Spay/Neuter 2017 |
|
Non-Profit |
|
$25,000.00 |
|
Animal Rescue Coalition |
|
|
|
|
Application Information |
Demographics
|
Animal Rescue Coalition
|
www.animalrescuecoalition.org
|
|
Mary Dietterle
|
Executive Director
|
|
[email protected]
|
|
Mary Dietterle
|
[email protected]
|
|
6320 Tower Lane
|
Sarasota
|
|
Florida
|
34240
|
|
941-957-1955
|
941-906-1506
|
|
203-807-2966
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agency Details
|
03/24/2004
|
|
Begin:
07/01/15
End:
06/30/16
|
|
$656,909.00
|
|
$667,968.00
|
|
Full Time:
6
Part Time:
2
|
|
3
|
|
10.00
|
|
ARC is a past grant recipient.
|
|
|
| Years Funded: 2016 Year(s) denied/incomplete:
2015
|
| Grant # | Proposal Year | Proposal Title | Status |
| 177 | 2010 | Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic | Funded |
| 311 | 2012 | ARC Mobile Spay/Neuter Program | Denied (not completed) |
| 352 | 2013 | Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic | Denied (not completed) |
| 1414 | 2014 | Spay/Neuter Services | Denied (not completed) |
| 1446 | 2015 | Spay & Neuter Project | Funded |
| 1622 | 2006 | | Funded |
| 1623 | 2008 | | Funded |
| 1659 | 2016 | No More Unwanted Litters | Ineligible |
| 1735 | 2017 | Charlotte County Spay/Neuter 2017 | Funded |
|
Describe your Organization:
Applicant Qualifications
|
For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
|
|
0
cats and
0
dogs were admitted.
|
|
0
cats and 0
dogs were adopted. |
|
0
cats and 0
dogs were euthanized. |
|
1842
cats and 2669
dogs were sterilized. |
|
|
|
|
Briefly describe your animal programs:
|
|
|
|
|
If your program performs adoptions, are all animals sterilized before adoption?
Yes
|
If not all, what percentage of animals are not currently sterilized before adoption?
|
If not all, how are animals selected for sterilization before adoption?
ARC is solely a Spay/Neuter non-profit organization and does not have an adoption program. ARC works closely with all local shelters and rescue groups providing spay/neuter services at extremely reduced cost.
|
If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization
after adoption:
We are a spay/neuter clinic that works with the public, local rescues and animal services for that specific purpose.
|
|
|
|
|
Give additional background information on your organization's programs as they relate
to this application and the qualifications of the personnel who will be in charge
of this program. Show that you have the ability to carry out this program.
Animal Rescue Coalition is a Spay /Neuter organization founded in 1999 to offer low-cost spay/neuter services to the low-income population of Sarasota and Manatee counties. ARC's mission is to save animals for the benefit of humanity, and its primary goal is to end the killing of adoptable dogs and cats in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties using a proactive and trans-formative high volume spay/neuter program. For over 15 years ARC offered low-cost spay and neuter services via a mobile clinic. In 2013 to expand its operations, increase its capacity, and operate a self-sustaining clinic, ARC joined the Humane Alliance’s National Spay and Neuter Response Team (NSNRT) program. In November of 2014, ARC opened a 3,800 sq/ft fully equipped Spay/Neuter Clinic suited to serve 35 animals/day. In addition to serving the general public, ARC’s low-cost Spay/Neuter program also serves as a dependable resource for low-cost, high-volume and high-quality services for local shelters and rescue groups. With the addition of a transport rig, ARC is now able to extend it services to more remote communities by offering round-trip transport to our facility several times a month.
Under the governance of a strong, committed and active board of directors the clinic programs have grown successfully for many years. The current executive director has over 20 years of experience running efficient operating models. Working alongside a dedicated team of technicians, our Medical Director performs over 20 surgeries each day and stays current with best practices and quality of care standards.
|
|
|
|
|
If you currently have a program for sterilization of cats and/or dogs, describe
your current level of funding and productivity and why additional resources are
needed?
ARC is funded through a combination of grants, county subsidies and private donations. Our largest source of income is an annual fundraising event that gives us approximately forty percent of our funds. Unlike Sarasota and Manatee Counties,
Charlotte County does not offer any funding for the spay and neuter service that we offer to its residents. We must rely on grants such as this to offer free or substantially lower cost surgeries. Our clinic, as currently configured, has a capacity of approximately 35 surgeries per day. We average somewhere around 22 surgeries per day at this time and feel that a grant would allow us to fill open slots with Charlotte County animals. Our transport vehicle has the capacity to bring 18 to 22 animals from remote points in the county for surgeries and then return them either the same day or the following morning. Currently we have one day a month dedicated to Charlotte county residents and we see enough demand to run additional days given the funding for the clients in need.
|
|
|
|
Target Population |
|
|
|
|
TNR Managed Colony Feral Cat Program/Community Cats (Free-Roaming and/or Owned) Program
Define the precise boundaries of the colony or targeted area, including estimate of square miles.
|
|
|
What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
|
| |
Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
|
| |
|
Estimated number of cats in the target colony area
:
|
|
Estimated number that are currently sterilized:
|
|
Projected reduction after utilizing the grant:
|
|
|
For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
|
|
|
Do current city/county ordinances address TNR or free-roaming cats?
Please explain what is allowed:
(NOTE: FAF will not fund any program this is inconsistent with local ordinances.) |
|
|
For TNR program, list any groups or government agencies who support this TNR effort:
|
|
|
Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
|
|
|
Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
|
| |
Will the cats be ear-tipped?
Will the cats be microchipped?
|
| |
|
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection
committee understand how this program will operate to achieve its goals.
|
|
|
|
|
Objectives |
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific
and quantifiable)?
Charlotte County clients represented 22% of our total surgeries during 2016. Many of these surgeries were made possible by a FAF grant. We would like to maintain or increase that percentage via this application. We hope to see a three to five percent increase in Charlotte County clients.
We believe that we will be able to increase demand for our Charlotte County transport program with the support of this grant. Our rig currently goes to Port Charlotte once per month. We believe we will be able to double or triple that with the help of this grant. |
|
|
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the
existing baseline?
We hope to leverage increased visibility of our transport program with the additional trips to areas in Charlotte County. We mean visibility in the literal sense as the rig is very bright and well branded and easily identified at some distance. It often attracts the attention of pet owners who will contact us and book, in many cases, un-subsidized procedures. Our ability to fill our capacity with these clients is key for us to make the business case for expansion where we can double our impact in the surrounding communities. It will help us to approach “break-even” on clinic operations, allowing us to divert our donor funding to additional programs such as feral cats, compassionate care, no-kill educational programs, and other efforts to keep animals out of Florida’s shelter systems. |
|
|
Methods |
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program?
Low-income criteria as determined by government standards and guidelines. To qualify, clients must fall under Federal TRIO and/or be receiving any of the government subsidies such as WIC, Medicaid Medicare, Social Security or Food Stamps. |
|
|
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target
audience.
ARC will work closely with animal services agencies and rescue groups to promote this program. We will a reach out to feed stores, churches, community organizations, schools, diners and all establishments where the target audience is likely to be present for distribution of flyers. ARC will also utilize a variety of traditional marketing efforts such as email marketing to its over 9,000 customer database, social media and web-based tools including Facebook, and Craig’s list. We will print bi-lingual door tags and pass them to community organizations and animal control officers for distribution. ARC will be implementing a new website in the coming months where we will offer forms in English and Spanish to promote and register for our programs. ARC’s transport vehicle also serves as an excellent tool for advertisement. |
|
|
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation,
illiteracy, and cultural hurdles?
ARC’s business model addresses the transportation issue with a strong and consistent transport program with regular pick-ups in several areas of the community. Animals are brought to ARC’s clinic for designated procedure and transported back to their owners within a 24-hour period. Illiteracy and cultural hurdles are addressed by utilizing community-based organizations and bi-lingual educational materials. Also, ARC employs two full-time staff members who are fluent in Spanish. |
|
|
Does this project involve the transportation of animals by someone other than
the client? If so, describe the vehicles, methods for confinement, personnel training,
liability releases used to assure the safety of the animals and handlers.
ARC's FREE Transport Program is a successful, safe and efficient initiative implemented by the Humane Alliance and used by most of the 120 Humane Alliance clinics in the country. Its proven method of effectiveness includes a comprehensive system from scheduling of appointment to delivery of animal after surgery. We follow these protocols. All animals are confined in carries that are secured within the vehicle. Driver and/or crew have veterinary tech. training and are covered on our insurance policies. |
|
|
Veterinary Services |
What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries?
ARC has its own medical director/lead veterinarian and two additional veterinarians who serve on a rotational schedule providing their services from Monday through Friday from 8 am - 5 pm. They do not operate private practices, but serve as independent contractors to us and other facilities outside of their committed schedule with ARC.
|
| Are they:
|
| |
Veterinary Practices
|
Fee Range
What is the fee range to be paid for spay and neuter and what is the distribution
to be paid by the client vs. the grant program? Keep in mind that Florida Animal
Friend grant funds may only be used for costs directly associated with sterilization
surgery (including anesthesia and pain control) and not for other items such as
vaccines, testing, licensing, and capital purchases.
|
Please check each item below to indicate additional services offered at the time
of surgery, whether the client is required to pay for them, and if so what the fee
is. For example, if an examination is required for surgery but is not charged to
the client it would be marked: Required
Yes, Fee to client
No
None of the anticipated grant funds can be used for any of the above services, except for pain medication.
|
If necessary, please explain the procedures and fees described above:
The Spay/Neuter surgery and all expenses related to the procedure, will be covered by the grant and ARC's operating budget. The only charges the pet owners will incur are rabies shots and optional additional services. ARC offers vaccination, test and prevention services at a very reduced rate. In the event that a pet owner does not have the ability to pay for rabies, we have a fund used to cover these types of situations.
Our fee schedule for additional services are the following:
Microchip: $20, E-Collar; $5, Rabies: $10, DHPP: $15, Bordetella: $$15, Heartworm test: $15, Basic Dewormer: $10, Heartworm prevention: $12/dose or $60 for 6 month supply.
|
|
|
Is this a voucher program?
No
|
| |
If so, how will you assure compliance with the program?
|
| |
For your voucher program, how have you determined the capacity of the veterinarians listed above to handle the projected capacity?
|
| |
Will you have the ability to report the number of vouchers issued and the percentage that result in S/N surgeries?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Information |
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee
understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
ARC is unique in that we focus solely on Spay/Neuter services and vaccines using a high volume approach. We are focused on optimizing and expanding capacity so that we can extend our radius to include more communities and animals. Our aim is to foster a sense of community and collaboration amount the animal welfare groups in this part of Florida. We aim to become to "go-to" low cost spay/neuter facility for rescues and shelters without their own clinic or veterinary staff. Our new Executive Director has and will continue to travel to the local organizations to discuss their needs and about how to collaborate on projects. |
|
|
Budget |
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats:
160
Dogs: 200
|
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000):
$25,000.00
Average cost/surgery projected:
$70.00
|
|
|
Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for (for example, vaccines, microchipping, ear notching, etc.):
|
| |
Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
We allocate funds from our general fundraising for certain programs where there are no other grants or county funds. For example we allocate a certain amount each month for feral cat/community cat surgeries. From time to time we will receive a targeted grant from Petsmart or Petco. ARC's executive director continuously monitors grant opportunities and applies as appropriate. Often our donor community will take a special interest in a program or location and will fund a directed campaign.
|
| |
What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
100
|
|
|
Timeline |
|
All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding. |
|
Projected start date:
10/15/17/
Projected end date:
10/15/18 |
|
|
Unexpended funds
Any unexpended funds must be refunded to Florida Animal Friend within 30 days of the end of the project.
Requests for extensions
Requests for time extensions are discouraged and not often granted. If it is imperative to request an extension, such request must be made in writing at least 30 days prior to the end of the project. It is FAF’s policy to seldom grant more than a 30-60 day extension.
Failure to submit reports and requests within the required time period will impact your agency’s future grant applications. |
|
|
|
|
Future Funding to Sustain Public Spay/Neuter |
*Explain how the organization plans to fund this program in the future. Having sustainable plans
including other grants, local donations and other services generating revenue enhances the chances of receiving this grant.
ARC's primary focus/business is Spay/Neuter programs. As such we work continuously to ensure funding is available to maintain and expand its programs. ARC maintains a strong fundraising program which is ongoing and year-round. Additional funds will be pursued via grant requests, individual solicitation and fundraising events.
ARC is focused on utilizing its full capacity to support a business case for expansion and growth with an aim to have an increased impact in this part of the state. |
|
|
Promotion of Florida Animal Friend Spay/Neuter License Plate |
*Applicants selected for funding are expected to publicize their grant in support of their spay/neuter program and promote the sale of the Animal Friend license plate via press releases, newsletters, website links, social media, etc. Please describe your plan to promote the Florida Animal Friend Spay/Neuter License Plate. Grantees are required to submit documentation of promotional endeavors with their final report.
ARC will implement a variety of marketing efforts including a year-long website presence for FAF Spay/Neuter License Plate Grant, press releases, year-long promotions on Facebook and Twitter, recognition in our e-newsletter, and other promotional material. |
|