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Grant ID:
1703
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Operation SNIP (Spay Neuter Initiative Pensacola) |
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Non-Profit |
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$25,000.00 |
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Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter |
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Application Information |
Demographics
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Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter
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www.ecasfriends.com
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Laura Booth
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President/Founder
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[email protected]
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Laura Booth
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[email protected]
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PO Box 11553
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Pensacola
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FL
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32524
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850-529-1003
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850-529-1003
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Agency Details
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07/01/2015
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Begin:
01/01/16
End:
12/31/16
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$64,237.70
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$54,530.54
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Full Time:
0
Part Time:
0
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40
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800.00
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400 Paws Grant Awards Reception
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| Years Funded: N/A Year(s) denied/incomplete:
N/A
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| Grant # | Proposal Year | Proposal Title | Status |
| 1703 | 2017 | Operation SNIP (Spay Neuter Initiative Pensacola) | Funded |
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Describe your Organization:
Applicant Qualifications
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For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
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101
cats and
227
dogs were admitted.
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96
cats and 223
dogs were adopted. |
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5
cats and 2
dogs were euthanized. |
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96
cats and 225
dogs were sterilized. |
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Briefly describe your animal programs:
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If your program performs adoptions, are all animals sterilized before adoption?
Yes
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If not all, what percentage of animals are not currently sterilized before adoption?
N/A
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If not all, how are animals selected for sterilization before adoption?
N/A
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If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization
after adoption:
All of the cats and dogs under the care of Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter are altered prior to adoption. All animals adopted from Escambia County Animal Shelter are altered prior to adoption as well.
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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.
Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter (FOTECAS) was founded in July 2015 as a 100% volunteer operated organization with the intent of providing the resources necessary to increase the quality of life and adoption rates of the animals housed at Escambia County Animal Shelter. All proceeds go to benefit the animals in the community through our support, enrichment and medical programs. We participate in regular offsite adoption and fundraising events in the community, bringing awareness of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the benefits of adopting shelter pets to the public. Since inception, we have taken on 17 major medical cases, assisted with the treatment of 48 heartworm positive dogs and transported 436 animals to areas of the country less burdened with pet overpopulation. The board of FOTECAS builds each program from the ground up, depending on our community's needs, and has complete oversight of the day to day operations of these programs to make sure each one is running as efficiently and productively as possible. Our current programs include:
1) Heartworm Treatment Sponsorship Program- We live in one of the most heavily inundated areas of the country for heartworms. Many of the dogs in our shelter are heartworm positive and that often decreases their chances of being adopted. Our Heartworm Treatment Sponsorship Program assists adopters with full or partial sponsorship of the treatment of heartworms upon adoption from Escambia County Animal Shelter (ECAS). We have found that having this assistance provides adopters with the support they need to overcome the barriers they face of adopting a heartworm positive dog. We have assisted in the treatment of heartworms for 48 shelter dogs since our inception.
2) Convenia Project - Providing injectable antibiotics to help shelter cats combat upper respiratory infections.
3) Titan's Fund - A fund for animals who need life saving procedures to survive.
4) Enrichment Program - Program to provide mental and physical stimulation for the animals currently residing at Escambia County Animal Shelter.
5) Dogs With A Drawl Transport Program - Transporting adoptable cats and dogs from overcrowded shelters in our community to other areas less burdened by animal overpopulation. We are currently partnered with Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem MA, Providence Animal Center in Media PA, Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester PA, Lucky Cat Adoptions in Jacksonville FL and Dakin Humane Society in Springfield MA. To date, we have transported 436 animals to safety.
6) Fospice Program- Providing end of life palliative care to terminally ill or elderly cats and dogs who enter our shelter system in the comfort of a loving and dedicated Hospice Foster home.
7) Operation SNIP- Providing high quality, low cost spay/neuter services to families in need of assistance with sterilizing their pets.
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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?
Operation SNIP is currently operating in a small capacity as funding is available. Additional resources are needed in order to expand this program and target the areas in our community who have the greatest need. Our goal is to assist animals currently at the highest risk of overpopulation, which are Pitbulls, Pitbull mixes, 'bully breeds' and cats. Additionally, while we primarily assist the Escambia County Animal Shelter and the animals in Escambia County, our goal is to expand Operation SNIP into our neighboring county, Santa Rosa County, as their animal shelter, Santa Rosa Animal Services (SRAS) has a Pitbull ban which means every bully breed type dog not claimed by their owner is euthanized unless a rescue organization steps up to take the dog. Additionally, their euthanasia rates for cats is extremely high and Santa Rosa County has no low cost spay/neuter services available.
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Target Population |
Geographical target area (name of city, county, zip codes, geographical Information service (GIS), etc.):
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Escambia County FL and Santa Rosa County FL |
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Total human population in target area:
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485,684 |
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Percent of residents living below poverty in target area:
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15.4% in Escambia, 12.3% in Santa Rosa County |
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Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3):
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147177 |
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Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0):
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121421 |
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Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0):
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80948 |
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Number of cats admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
3625 at ECAS, unknown for SRAS |
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Number of dogs admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
3418 at ECAS, unknown for SRAS |
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Number of cats euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
2073 at ECAS, unknown for SRAS |
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Number of dogs euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
927 at ECAS, unknown for SRAS |
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Please explain if you believe your target area animal population is significantly
different than above.
Our proposal is targeting the highest at risk dog breeds most commonly found in Escambia and Santa Rosa County Animal Shelters. We are targeting spay/neuter for Pitbull, Pitbull mixes, 'bully breeds' and cats. We estimate that the dog breeds that fall under this category comprise approximately 70%-75% of shelter intake in Escambia County. Santa Rosa Animal Shelter will not adopt out 'bully breed' dogs, which means these dogs are euthanized simply due to their breed unless a rescue organization steps up for the dog. |
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Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat
overpopulation in the target area:
The most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area are pets in low income families, Pitbull/Pitbull mixes or bully breed dogs and community cats, both free roaming and owned. |
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What kinds of spay/neuter services are currently available in the target area
and in what ways are these resources currently insufficient to meet community needs?
The current spay/neuter service available in Escambia County is the Barbara Grice Memorial Spay/Neuter Clinic run by Pensacola Humane Society. While it is considered 'low cost,' there are still families who lack the resources to have their animals altered. There are no low cost spay/neuter services in Santa Rosa county. |
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Florida Animal Friend is highly supportive of proposals that are focused on
animal populations that are identified as substantial sources of dog or cat overpopulation
rather than being diluted over too broad of a geographic area or diverse animal
populations. Describe the specific target animal population of the spay/neuter project
proposed for this grant:
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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.
N/A
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What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
N/A
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Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
N/A
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Estimated number of cats in the target colony area
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0
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Estimated number that are currently sterilized: 0
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Projected reduction after utilizing the grant: 0
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For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
N/A
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Do current city/county ordinances address TNR or free-roaming cats?
No
Please explain what is allowed:
(NOTE: FAF will not fund any program this is inconsistent with local ordinances.) |
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For TNR program, list any groups or government agencies who support this TNR effort:
N/A
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Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
N/A
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Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
N/A
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Will the cats be ear-tipped?
No
Will the cats be microchipped?
No
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Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection
committee understand how this program will operate to achieve its goals.
N/A
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Objectives |
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific
and quantifiable)?
The primary objective of Operation SNIP is to provide high quality, low cost, accessible spay and neuter services to pets of the underprivileged and to stray and rescued animals in Escambia and Santa Rosa County. While we do have a low cost Spay/Neuter clinic in Pensacola, we find there is still a gap for those who are unable to afford the low cost pricing, let alone full price veterinary care. We will offer our services on a $10 co-payment basis to fill in the gaps that our community is experiencing. A $25,000 grant would allow us to sterilize 227 cats and 160 dogs that would otherwise fall through the cracks and not get altered. By targeting our objective to primarily bully breeds and cats, we are honing our efforts on dog breeds most commonly encountered in our local municipal animal shelters. |
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How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the
existing baseline?
We have found that people want to do the right thing by their pets, they just may not have the tools to do so. With Operation SNIP, we are providing the tools necessary for families to have the help they need while also easing the burden on our already overcrowded shelters and rescue groups. This grant would allow FOTECAS to alter nearly 400 animals, which would have a substantial impact on the number of homeless animals in our community. |
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Methods |
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program?
The criteria used to determine eligibility for Operation SNIP will be proof of financial need and proof of residency in Escambia or Santa Rosa County. |
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How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target
audience.
FOTECAS will advertise the program by sending direct mail flyers to target areas, email blasts and by social media. We have nearly 5,000 followers on social media and a decent amount of people on our emailing list. We are also fortunate enough that our Vice President has many years of experience in marketing and public relations. |
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How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation,
illiteracy, and cultural hurdles?
If a problem arises with transportation, illiteracy and/or cultural barriers, we have a very active volunteer base who is excited and eager to help in any way possible. Our mail out fliers and emails can be bi-lingual as needed. |
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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.
If transportation assistance is needed, our volunteers are able to assist where necessary. Our volunteers are experienced with animal handling techniques and we can loan out traps/carriers as needed. We are fully insured and our volunteers have signed liability releases. |
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Veterinary Services |
What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries?
Our primary veterinary clinic is Ferry Pass Animal Hospital. We have partnered with them to perform all sterilizations under Operation SNIP. Their pricing is slightly higher than the low cost spay/neuter clinic in Pensacola, however Ferry Pass Animal Hospital provides three days of post surgical pain medication in addition to the alter (at no additional cost to FOTECAS or the client). Also, Ferry Pass Animal Hospital is very centrally located in Escambia County, very close to Santa Rosa County, making transportation and travel easier and shorter for people coming from Santa Rosa County.
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Veterinary Practices
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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.
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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.
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If necessary, please explain the procedures and fees described above:
For each animal under Operation SNIP, the owner will be responsible for paying $10 towards the cost of the surgery and the grant money will cover the remaining balance. FOTECAS will pay for the animal to have a rabies vaccine ($8 per vaccine) if needed (The owner must show proof of rabies vaccination at the time of surgery). Additional services are available, which the owner is responsible for.
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Is this a voucher program?
Yes
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If so, how will you assure compliance with the program?
FOTECAS already has a voucher for Operation SNIP. We print the vouchers in color ink, affix a sticker of our logo to the voucher and the President or Vice President has to sign each voucher. The owner must also sign and present the original voucher to Ferry Pass Animal Hospital at the time of the appointment. The staff of Ferry Pass Animal Hospital will sign the voucher once services are rendered and make a copy of the voucher. The owner of the pet will get a copy along with a detailed receipt of the services provided, as well as post surgical instructions and FOTECAS will get the original voucher back for record keeping purposes. We also have kept in close contact with the owners of pets being altered under Operation SNIP, as we feel like it decreases the likelihood of the owners surrendering their animals to the shelter if they feel as though they have a support system.
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For your voucher program, how have you determined the capacity of the veterinarians listed above to handle the projected capacity?
FOTECAS already has an agreement with Ferry Pass Animal Hospital to provide up to thirty alters per month under Operation SNIP.
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Will you have the ability to report the number of vouchers issued and the percentage that result in S/N surgeries?
We will have the ability to report the number of vouchers issued and the percentage of spay/neuter surgeries done, as our voucher program currently stipulates a copy of the voucher is made for the owner and FOTECAS gets the original voucher back for record keeping purposes.
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Other Information |
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee
understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
The community of Escambia and Santa Rosa County is in dire need of subsidized spay/neuter surgeries. The families we have assisted in the past with alterations have been so overjoyed to receive the help they need. We truly feel that with the proper support, these people want to do what is right for their animals and not contribute to the pet overpopulation problems in our community. Operation SNIP is a valuable program not only for FOTECAS, but for the people in our community, their pets and the animals currently in our municipal shelters. The board of FOTECAS is very careful with expanding our current programs to make sure they are sustainable for the future. We are confident that this program, given the opportunity to be awarded the Florida Animal Friend Grant, will have a very positive impact on our community. |
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Budget |
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats:
227
Dogs: 160
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Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000):
$25,000.00
Average cost/surgery projected:
$65.00
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Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for (for example, vaccines, microchipping, ear notching, etc.):
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Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter allocates 10% of our monthly revenue to Operation SNIP. We will also have targeted fundraising efforts quarterly for this event.
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What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
90
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Timeline |
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All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding. |
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Projected start date:
09/01/17/
Projected end date:
08/31/18 |
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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. |
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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.
Our plans to fund Operation SNIP in the future include private and corporate donations, specific targeted fundraising and various grants from other agencies. |
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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.
We have roughly 5,000 followers on our Facebook page and regular email blasts that go to about 500 people in our community. We will promote the Animal Friend License Plate Program on these social media outlets as well as reference the funding source and program on any and all flyers.
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