|
Grant ID:
1691
|
|
The Big Fix |
|
Non-Profit |
|
$25,000.00 |
|
Flagler Humane Society |
|
|
|
|
Application Information |
Demographics
|
Flagler Humane Society
|
www.flaglerhumanesociety.org
|
|
Amy W Carotenuto
|
Executive Director
|
|
[email protected]
|
|
Amy W Carotenuto
|
[email protected]
|
|
1 Shelter Dr.
|
Palm Coast
|
|
Florida
|
32137
|
|
386-246-7684
|
386-445-5843
|
|
386-566-3734
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agency Details
|
10/01/1980
|
|
Begin:
10/01/15
End:
09/30/16
|
|
$1,189,989.52
|
|
$1,164,466.38
|
|
Full Time:
19
Part Time:
8
|
|
150
|
|
510.00
|
|
Known about the grant for years and have Received it!
|
|
|
| Years Funded: 2013 & 2015 Year(s) denied/incomplete:
|
| Grant # | Proposal Year | Proposal Title | Status |
| 381 | 2013 | Controlling Community Cats | Funded |
| 1481 | 2015 | Community Cat Diversion | Funded |
| 1691 | 2017 | The Big Fix | Funded |
|
Describe your Organization:
Applicant Qualifications
|
For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
|
|
1289
cats and
1124
dogs were admitted.
|
|
887
cats and 718
dogs were adopted. |
|
87
cats and 62
dogs were euthanized. |
|
1555
cats and 620
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?
2%
|
If not all, how are animals selected for sterilization before adoption?
Sterilization is routinely performed before moving animals to the adoption floor. Exceptions are made if animals are too small or too young or have severe medical issues that could make surgery unsafe for them. In those cases, a recovering animal may be adopted to a home where they can continue to get stronger for surgery. Our staff keep contact during recovery, providing medications and follow up
|
If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization
after adoption:
On the rare case that an animal does get adopted prior to sterilization, a close relationship with the adopter has been established because our screening process becomes more stringent if the animal is leaving prior to sterilation. Sometimes we will allow a "foster to adopt" situation. Either way, the surgery will be already scheduled. Customer service staff call to remind regarding appointments. If appointment is not kept, follow up calls are performed again. If no response, an officer visits the home. If transportation is the hurdle to getting the animal in for surgery, we provide transport. We have the backing of our county attorney and our state attorney's office in Flagler County if further action were ever needed.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
FHS is a full service, open door facility that never turns any animal away. Thanks to aggressive spay/neuter practices our intake numbers have been declining in recent years. With the animal intake numbers lower we have even been able to help some neighboring, less fortunate shelters by accepting animals that other groups would not take. We are committed to drastically reducing euthanasia and the best way to do that is to sterilize every animal possible. FHS is one of the few non-profit animal shelters that is also contracted to perform animal services (animal control) for the area. This is helpful, as we are able to combine resources. Also, breakdowns in communication don't occur because we are one organization. We enforce local ordinances and prosecute animal cruelty and neglect. We work to strengthen laws, both locally and statewide. We open the county’s Pet Friendly Evacuation shelter during disasters. We offer a wellness clinic and a pet food bank for those who need help financially caring for their pets. We have an ambassador dog program in which dogs visit the sick and elderly. We have a children's reading program in which children read books to dogs. We have volunteer opportunities for all ages. Many of our wonderful volunteers are disabled people who thrive when surrounded by the animals. Our volunteers are honored each year with presidential pins for the volunteers with the most hours worked. We have an intake aversion program at which assistance is offered to those considering surrendering their pet. The goal is to keep pets home. The help may be in the form of free dog training, loaning of a crate, referrals to pet friendly housing, veterinary exams, etc. We have a strong board of directors who believe in being pro-active in the community. Under Executive Director, Amy Wade-Carotenuto FHS has grown from a young shelter in a tiny old building to a full service organization in a fifteen thousand square foot customized facility with progressive policies and programs. Most importantly FHS has an unbelievable dedicated staff. Operations manager, Melissa Rock oversees the day to day of the shelter, bookkeeping and grant reporting. Katie Share oversees all outreach, assistance to pet owners and the animal control department. Dr. Andrea James who graduated from Ross University in 2013 performs the majority of the surgeries with the help of two experienced veterinary assistants, relief veterinarians and technicians have even been sent over from partner hospitals when there is a need. Our agreement with the University of Florida Shelter Veterinary Department allows us the use of 5 to 7 graduate students with the direct supervision of a U of F doctor one day each month. Our entire staff is committed to making Community Cat Diversion a success.
|
|
|
|
|
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?
Our spay neuter assistance programs began 1992. Now offering the surgery as well as low cost vaccines, diagnostics, microchips and other minor procedures. Thanks to grant funding we have even been able to provide free spay/neuter in many cases, particularly for pit bulls (PetsMart Charities)and community cats (Florida Animal Friends). Municipalities are contracted to pay FHS for each community cat that is sterilized and returned to it’s colony. The fees we charge them cover most if not all of our costs depending on the health of the animal. Owners of pets pay reduced fees for surgery, under our regular low cost program. Those fees are enough that we make a very few dollars on most of the procedures. If there is a slight profit, the excess goes toward other veterinary needs for other animals. Then we have a rescue partner price for surgeries and procedures. Local rescue groups bring their animals here for surgery which is done at cost. When we are awarded grant funding we are be able to offer sterilization, vaccines etc. at an even more reduced or free rate.
|
|
|
|
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.
Flagler County consists of 571 square miles, although 85 square miles of that is water. With 105,392 people, Flagler County is the 35th most populated county in Florida. To break down our target areas, the City of Bunnell consists of roughly 138 square miles and is home to 3,000 residents. The unincorporated areas in Flagler County consist of over 300 square miles and are home to roughly 16,000 people. These would be our target areas for our publicity of the grant program and our man power to
|
|
|
What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
There's need throughout The County, as the level of income is well below average and with the Florida weather, cat populations thrive. We won't turn away cat caretakers from anywhere within The County. The push is within The City of Bunnell and our unincorporated County area though because these are our most under-served areas. In part, thanks to our two previous grants from Florida Animal Friends, our stray cat intake has dropped in the last four years from 1,357 in 2013 to 972 in 2016. Even a
|
| |
Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
Flagler County is a mix of rural and suburban, with much of the unincorporated areas and Bunnell having a large agriculture areas. There are roughly 38,000 households in Flagler County. From 2000 to 2005 Flagler County was ranked the nation's fastestgrowing county by the US Census Bureau, boasting a 53.3% change. We have grown and continue to grow. Commercial business is growing in Flagler County. The most common industries in Flagler County by number of employees are Healthcare & Social Assi
|
| |
|
Estimated number of cats in the target colony area
:
12000
|
|
Estimated number that are currently sterilized: 1500
|
|
Projected reduction after utilizing the grant: 10000
|
|
|
For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
Flagler County is blessed with a passionate group of cat lovers who will help promote the grant and will help educate those new to TNR. "Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare" and Palm Coast Community Cats are both established groups that know no geographical boundaries and will come to the aid of cats and their caretakers whenever needed. Flagler County has a largely retired population. Many devote time to helping animals. For example, in 2006 a fenced community cat sanctuary opened on prope
|
|
|
Do current city/county ordinances address TNR or free-roaming cats?
Yes
Please explain what is allowed:
The City of Flagler Beach made changes to their ordinance to allow for TNR (After the Florida Animal Friend grant, Thank you!!) Caretakers may feed and give shelter to cats, provided that they comply with feeding and clean up regulations to avoid the cats becoming a nuisance. The other ordinances within Flagler County do not address a specific TNvR program, but the ordinances do not prohibit TNvR. Local city council and city managers as well as our county administrator and commissioners suppo
(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:
The City of Palm Coast, the City of Flagler Beach, the City of Bunnell, The County Administrator's Office and County Commission, Community Cats of Palm Coast are our main partners. One out of the area group that supports our efforts is Concerned Citizen's for Animal Welfare. Second Chance Rescue, Saffari and Flagler Cats are three additional groups who support TNvR. We also have the support of larger, out of the area groups such as Target Zero, Best Friends and ASPCA.
|
|
|
Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
The public is reminded that we do not advocate setting up new colonies which could have a negative impact on wildlife. Trap, neuter RETURN is the goal. Returning animals to the same location where they will now not reproduce. Caretakers are educated to watch for cats who may continue to stalk wildlife even if they are well fed. These cats may need to be trapped. FHS has a great relationship with several wildlife veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators who are available in the event of inju
|
|
|
Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
Animal Services Officers will counsel complainants and ask for their patience in getting the number of homeless cats down to a minimum. Complainants will be educated about the fact that trap and remove has been tried for decades and has not solved the homeless cat overpopulation problem. They will also be given helpful hints to deter cats such as citronella or eucalyptus scents to use in their yards. Motion activated items are recommended too.
|
| |
Will the cats be ear-tipped?
Yes
Will the cats be microchipped?
No
|
| |
|
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection
committee understand how this program will operate to achieve its goals.
Our program is loosely modeled after other successful programs such as Target Zero Institute's and Alley Cat Ally's. Our officers and dispatch trained with our friends at Target Zero Institute. We are continually working to change minds and change laws. We have plenty of traps to loan out to cat caregivers (with a small deposit).
|
|
|
|
|
Objectives |
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific
and quantifiable)?
We are close to our goal of never having to euthanize a cat simply because it is feral or unsocialized. Last year, since the intake numbers were down, thanks to the previous Florida Animal Friend’s grants, we were able to place most of the remaining feral/unsocialized cats. For the most part, the unsocialized cats who were euthanized also had a health issue. There are those agencies who do not respond to calls, in part, to keep their numbers low. We vow to never ignore an animal in need, whether that is good for us statistically or not. We actually plan to be more proactive if awarded this grant. Our officers will go door to door if that’s what it takes. With PetPoint software we are able to track exactly how many animals are euthanized and for what reason. In 2018 I want to be able to look at euthanasia logs and see nothing that lists “Feral” or “unsocialized” as the reason for euthanasia. Regardless of grant funding we hope to continue to increase our number of surgeries until the need is diminished. |
|
|
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the
existing baseline?
Since TNvR has become more accepted socially and by government authorities, caretakers have started to come out of "hiding". Since previous grant funds were used up, caretakers and cat finders have been begging for free and lower low cost options. These folks are often able to afford $10 for vaccines, but unable to afford $40 for surgery. The Florida Animal Friend grant money is especially valuable to those who care for multiple cats. FHS has the available facilities to perform surgeries seven days a week, if and when we have the demand and the funding. |
|
|
Methods |
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program?
Our officers will sign and pick up animals in the field. For those individuals who come in to purchase Big Fix sterilization, there will be a brief interview process to help ensure that the program services are being used properly. An ear notch is part of the package which also lowers an owner's motivation to wrongly take advantage of the program. Driver's licenses or state ID cards are shown to determine residency. |
|
|
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target
audience.
FHS will uses traditional and social media as well as our friendships with newspaper snd television reporters. The Big Fix Spay/Neuter Program will be predominately featured on the websites of collaboration partners. FHS attends several outreach events each week where trifold flyers will be passed out. We host a radio show called "Speaking of Animals" on which we will discuss the Florida Animal Friend grant. We will invite a representative of Florida Animal Friends to appear as our guest (via phone) on the radio show. Depending on funding availability and pricing, we will look into having a billboard on US1. We had one three years ago promoting a spay/neuter program. Our local tag office works with us as well and has agreed to place flyers regarding the Big Fix! |
|
|
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation,
illiteracy, and cultural hurdles?
Our officers build bridges over cultural differences and illiteracy challenges daily, so the only difference is that with grant monies we will have more to offer citizens when discussing homeless cat issues. Outreach and one on one counseling is offered by our animal services department and by partner organizations such as Community Cats of Palm Coast. FHS has staff members who are bilingual and will also provide one on one counseling. Customers who have problems reading the pre and post surgical paperwork will simply have it read over with them. Our staff has a way of reading with people that feels natural, as if they read it through with everyone, ensuring that the reading challenged person isn't embarrassed. Any transportation needs can and will be met by volunteers, FHS staff or the animal services officers. |
|
|
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.
Our animal services department is made up of certified officers with fleet vehicles purchased with animal transport in mind. Any transport performed by anyone other than an officer will be pre-approved and will be done by active volunteers trained in the proper handling of an unsocialized, caged animal. If their own vehicles are used, they will be provided with protective clothes. Liability waivers will be signed by all volunteers releasing FHS and it's partner agencies from responsibility. Indemnity waivers are approved by our board attorney. |
|
|
Veterinary Services |
What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries?
Veterinarian Dr. Gary Shelton is our board president. Dr. Andrea James provides us with her license. Dr. Andrea James oversees the care of our shelter animals plus performs sterilization and other surgeries here at the shelter three to four days per week. She also oversees our wellness and vaccine clinics. Last year our wellness clinic was in such demand that we had to expand our hours. We have agreements with Tomoka Pines Veterinary Hospital, Shelton Veterinary Clinic, Flagler Animal Hospital, Pines Lakes Animal Hospital and Freiberg's Healing Paws to provide sterilization surgeries if our schedule is full. Other local veterinary hospitals, such as The Emergency Clinic of East Volusia, Flagler Integrated and Granada Animal Hospital will assist with surgery and other medical needs periodically. We also have an agreement with the University of Florida Department of Veterinary Medicine. Once per month a group of graduate students, supervised by Dr. Brian DiGangi come to FHS for the day. They examine and treat shelter animals and perform surgical procedures.
|
| 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:
A very brief exam is performed on animals prior to anesthesia. For feral cats a brief exam is performed after anesthesia but prior to surgery. Pain relief is standard protocol for female cats but not for males unless there are complications. The $12 rabies vaccine charge may be lowered or waived with manager approval especially for those caretakers bringing in multiple cats. Feline leukemia and FIV testing will be recommended for cats who appear to be in poor health. Our cities offer licensing but unincorporated county does not. Community cats are exempt from mandatory licensing in most areas. Dog prices were not included as the grant application focuses on cats only. Topical flea prevention will be administered at no charge to cats who appear to have a flea infestation or flea allergy.
|
|
|
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.
Fingers Crossed, we are proud and excited to continue the partnership with Florida Animal Friend that helped spay and neuter nearly 1,300 cats in our targeted areas and beyond. Residents, especially those caring for multiple cats in colonies have been asking if we might have any opportunities for fee waived sterilization for cats again. Our staff and volunteers as well as staff and volunteers from partner agencies are dedicated to making Flagler County a "No Kill" community. We borrow ideas from other successful programs and are open to expanding our services. We never turn any animal in need away. |
|
|
Budget |
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats:
625
Dogs: 0
|
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000):
$25,000.00
Average cost/surgery projected:
$40.00
|
|
|
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.
If we are able to receive grant funds we will publicize and make it well known that donations would help to provide the extras that the cats may need. Our members are very supportive. Through our newsletters and eblasts we will target them to make this program a huge success. We will be applying for grants from other sources to continue low cost and free spay/neuter. If donations are tight, for this program we may call in favors from our medical distributors who periodically donate vaccines.
|
| |
What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
80
|
|
|
Timeline |
|
All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding. |
|
Projected start date:
09/01/17/
Projected end date:
08/31/18 |
|
|
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.
Florida Animal Friends grants have helped us achieve our goals in Flagler Beach (2013) and Palm Coast (2015). Now we hope to target our final areas, the underserved city of Bunnell and unincorporated Flagler County. Thanks to the mass surgeries performed as a result of the past grants, issues in Flagler Beach have practically disappeared. Complaint calls on stray cats from Palm Coast still exist, however we have had a twenty six percent drop in stray cat intake from Palm Coast which is significant because Palm Coast human population continues to grow at a rapid pace. Our need for funding will diminish as the cat population is sterilized and becomes smaller and smaller. We at FHS are continually fundraising, continually out in the public eye, making friends. Our donors are honored each year at a breakfast, which hopefully keeps them engaged and donating. We have new donor software called Bloomerang, which will enable us to keep closer track of donors and volunteer hours too. The software includes donor profiles, reports and tracking of events. So we are able to easily follow what sources of funding are working most efficiently. We mail out quarterly newsletters which bring in generous donations. Our Humane Hero membership program is growing and is a donor's commitment of a monthly donation. Our government contracts are our most reliable source of income. We have had contacts with four municipalities since 1982. We have an energetic, devoted staff, including Dr. Andrea James who now holds wellness clinics for us. Wellness clinics allow us to provide affordable veterinary services, thus lowering owner surrenders. Our costs are low but we maintain a small profit margin thus increasing our revenue over past years. Our long standing Development Coordinator, Jeffery Ritter just won us our second award from our local Chamber of Commerce. Operations Manager, Melissa Rock oversees the day to day business of the shelter and had organized our own retail area including heartworm and flea prevention products. Flagler Humane Society's Thrift Store continues to be our number one source of funding, netting over $100,000. per year. Flagler Humane Society will always host a low cost spay/neuter program. We began providing low cost spay/neuter in 1992 with a certificate program, before we had a veterinary facility of our own. We will always provide low cost spay/neuter. It is with grants like the Florida Animal Friend grant though, that we can provide the services at an even lower price or free, which makes it accessible for those caring for multiple animals. Humane Education, combined with efforts to keep costs low will help to sustain low cost or free spay/neuter options for pet caretakers and owners. |
|
|
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 are super excited and hope to work with Florida Animal Friends again,especially with the new plate design! Florida Animal Friend is featured now on our FHS website. We have made personal friends with the folks at our local tag office. We talk about the organization and program on our weekly WNZF radio show, "Speaking of Animals". We would ask that a Florida Animal Friend representative be a guest on our show (by phone if not available in person). We will feature the plates on our social media, press releases, electronic mail and paper newsletters, We will ask that our donated advertisements in local print Pennysaver, Observer, News Tribune and News Journal feature Florida Animal Friend license plate publicity. Our local municipalities have offered to send out notices of free or greatly reduced spay/neuter opportunities in their water bills and to feature the program on their websites. FHS has our own busy thrift store at which each customer will receive a quarter page flyer in their bag. Foot traffic in the shelter has increased dramatically within recent years. We are concerned with pending Florida legislation that could potentially eliminate the custom design of specialty plates. We follow potential laws closely and are concerned that if specialty plates turned into regular plates with a specialty sticker, we would all lose. If you hear of anything that you would like us to campaign for or against please notify us!! We are friends with our local representative and senator. Thank you!! |
|