Grant ID: 1718
Title of Proposal: SNAP 4: Spay/Neuter Alachua's 4
Agency Type: Non-Profit
Total Funding Requested: $25,000.00
Check Payable To: Gainesville Pet Rescue
Application Information
Demographics
Name of Applicant Agency: Gainesville Pet Rescue Website Address: gainesvillepetrescue.org
Person Submitting Proposal: Danielle Cummings Position: Development Coordinator
Person Submitting Proposal Email Address: [email protected]
Agency Head: Heather Thomas Agency Head Email: [email protected]
Organization Business Address: 5403 SW Archer Rd. City: Gainesville
State: Florida Zip: 32608
Phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx): 352-692-4773 Fax: 352-692-4776
Cell:    
 
Agency Details

Date of 501(c)(3) Incorporation: 04/16/1993
Dates of Last Fiscal Year: Begin: 01/01/16    End: 12/31/16
Organization Income in Last Fiscal Year: $464,265.28
Organization Expenses in Last Fiscal Year: $502,165.89
Number of Paid Employees: Full Time: 6  Part Time: 6
Number of Active Volunteers: 150
Total Volunteer Hours per Week: 120.00
How did you learn of the 2009  Florida Animal Friend grant competition? Previous grants
Year(s) of previous Florida Animal Friend grants (if applicable):
Previous Florida Animal Friend Applications: Years Funded: 2015 Year(s) denied/incomplete:
Auto-Generated (Previous Applications):
Grant #Proposal YearProposal TitleStatus
2102011SNAP: Spay/Neuter Alachua's PetsFunded
3682013SNAP 2: Spay/Neuter Alachua's Pets IIFunded
14862015SNAP 3: Spay/Neuter Alachua's PetsFunded
15932006 Denied
17182017SNAP 4: Spay/Neuter Alachua's 4 Funded
Describe your Organization:
Services Provided Organization Structure:











List your current board of directors:

NameTitlePhoneOccupation
Andrew UelsmannTreasurer352-870-7051UF Development Officer
Angela FooteMember352-332-9285Public Relations Specialist
Gigi MarinoMember352-692-4773UF CALS development officer
Jamie KistlerMember352-692-4773Accountant
Lori ApicellaVice President352-692-4773UF Health Development Officer
Meredith PalmbergPresident321-356-3384Associate Director of Strategic Engagement
Naima Cortes Member813-610-4780Marketing Specialist
Tee Tetrick Secretary 678-520-8787Marketing Communications Specialist

Applicant Qualifications
For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
589  cats and 700  dogs were admitted.
405   cats and  618   dogs were adopted.
13   cats and  9    dogs were euthanized.
589   cats and  700    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? 
n/a
If not all, how are animals selected for sterilization before adoption? 
n/a
If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization after adoption:
n/a  
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. 
Gainesville Pet Rescue's SNAP project is directly aligned with Florida Animal Friend, Inc.'s mission of saving lives by supporting free and low-cost spay/neuter services. SNAP will leverage our high visibility in Alachua County to connect low-income and spay/neuter resistant pet owners with free, high-quality pet sterilization services to close the gap between available resources and community need. Our board and staff are leaders in our community's initiative to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets through adoption, spay/neuter and education. Our Executive Director, Heather Thomas, will serve as the SNAP Project Director, ensuring that GPR complies with all performance and reporting requirements. Heather holds a Master's degree in Agribusiness and a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Florida and is an experienced veterinary technician. Heather has extensive project management experience that will help GPR efficiently and effectively implement the SNAP project. Our spay/neuter surgery provider, Alachua County Humane Society's Operation PetSnip Clinic, employs a highly-trained veterinary surgeon. All of PetSnip's clinic team are Humane Alliance-trained to provide high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter services.
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? 
GPR's current sterilization program is targeted at the animals in our foster care/adoption program that are rescued from Alachua County Animal Services or taken in from the public. Approximately 95% of these animals are unsterilized when they come into our program, and providing spay/neuter surgeries for these animals (700-1200 per year) consumes the largest portion of our budget after staff costs. In order show a significant increase in spay/neuter surgeries that will lower euthanasia rates in our community, we need to provide outreach and resources to the low-income and spay/neuter-resistant members of our community who may not be able to afford available low-cost services, or who may not be persuaded to sterilize their pet unless the service is provided free of charge .

Target Population
Geographical target area (name of city, county, zip codes, geographical Information service (GIS), etc.):
Alachua County 
Total human population in target area: 259,964 
Percent of residents living below poverty in target area: 21.6 
Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3): 78777 
Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0): 64991 
Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0): 43328 
Number of cats admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 2556 
Number of dogs admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 2729 
Number of cats euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 388 
Number of dogs euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 319 
Please explain if you believe your target area animal population is significantly different than above.
As a Maddie's Adoption Project community for the past 13 years, Alachua County partners have invested significant resources in data tracking, analysis, reporting and accountability. We believe that the figures shown above are an extremely accurate reflection of our target area animal population.
Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the target area:
 Our research indicates that the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in Alachua & surrounding counties are free-roaming cats, pit bulls and pit mixes.
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?
Private practice veterinarians in Alachua County charge market rates for sterilization surgery (ranging from $120 up to several hundred dollars per pet) and are available to serve middle-to-high-income, motivated pet owners. Alachua County Humane Society's Operation PetSnip clinic offers $50 cat and $80 dog sterilization. While each of these resources is an important piece in our county's plan to eliminate pet overpopulation, there is a significant service gap for very low-income pet owners and for those who are resistant to the idea of pet sterilization. For the neediest of our county's residents, even $50 or $80 is an unmanageable cost, while free surgery may be the only practical incentive for pet owners who are resistant to spay/neuter education.
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:

  
 
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
 
What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
n/a
 
Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
n/a
 
Estimated number of cats in the target colony area : 0  
Estimated number that are currently sterilized: 0
Projected reduction after utilizing the grant:  0
 
For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
n/a
 
Do current city/county ordinances address TNR or free-roaming cats?
Yes

Please explain what is allowed:
n/a
(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:
n/a
 
Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
n/a
 
Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
n/a
 
Will the cats be ear-tipped? Yes
Will the cats be microchipped? Yes
 
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how this program will operate to achieve its goals.
n/a
 
Objectives
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific and quantifiable)?
Our objective for the requested funds is to provide free sterilization surgery for 180 dogs and 180 cats belonging to very low-income residents and to spay/neuter resistant resident dogs/cats by August 2018.
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the existing baseline?
Our objective for the requested funds will increase spay/neuter surgeries by a minimum of 360 surgeries above 2016 levels for Alachua County. It will directly address pet owners who would not otherwise have their pets sterilized due to severe economic need or educational/cultural attitudes.
Methods
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program? 
Low Income: We will target residents of Alachua County and the surrounding communities whose household income is at or below 150% of the 2016 federal poverty level. For example, a family of four earning $36,375 or less would be eligible for free spay/neuter assistance under these guidelines. For documentation of eligibility we will accept current Medicaid, Food Stamp or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)cards or a 2015 federal income tax return. Documentation of participation in other low-income programs such as Head Start or Community Action Programming will also qualify. 2: Resistant Populations: We will also conduct special outreach for pet owners that are determined to be culturally resistant to pet sterilization. Outreach staff will work with Alachua County Animal Control to identify neighborhoods or individuals with high rates of impounds or known pet overpopulation issues. Selection factors will be documented in written notes for each recipient under the Resistant Populations criteria.
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target audience.
GPR receives daily requests for free spay/neuter services from pet owners bringing in litters to relinquish and from routine phone/walk-in traffic. We anticipate that these requests will increase once we announce the availability of free surgeries through the SNAP project. We will also advertise our program through community flyers, tabling, and outreach to organizations serving our target population. Since churches are the heart of social networks in our rural community, we plan a special outreach effort to enlist local pastors in getting the word out about the SNAP project in low-income communities.
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation, illiteracy, and cultural hurdles? 
Transportation: for program participants without transportation we will provide pick-up and return of pets and loan of secure pet carriers. 2. Illiteracy: Because our outreach model relies heavily on personal contact and referrals from community partners, we do not anticipate that illiteracy will be a significant barrier to full use of the program. 3. Cultural hurdles: We will work to ensure that our staff and outreach volunteers reflect the cultural diversity of our community. All written program materials will be available in both English and Spanish, and a translation volunteer will be available for Spanish-speaking pet owners.
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.
Pick-up and return of pets for participants without transportation will be provided by GPR employees who are vaccinated and covered by our organization's liability and workers compensation insurance policies. All GPR staff have been trained in safe animal handling. All pets will be transported in secure carriers or crates. Pet owners requesting transportation will sign a liability release form prior to pick-up of their pet.
Veterinary Services
 

What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries? 
Our surgery partner for the SNAP project will be Gainesville's local Humane Alliance-model community spay/neuter clinic, Operation PetSnip operated by Alachua County Humane Society. Operation PetSnip has signed a written agreement to provide SNAP4 Project surgeries at the rate of $80 per surgery, regardless of species, gender or size.
Are they:  
 

Veterinary Practices
Practice NameAddressCityStateZipPhoneLead Practice
Alachua County Humane Society's Operation Petsnip4205 NW 6th St.GainesvilleFL32609352-373-5855

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.
Amount Paid by Client Amount Paid by Project Total Amount
Range for Male Cats
Range for Female Cats
Range for Male Dogs
Range for Female Dogs
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
Required, Optional, or Not Offered Fee to Client?
Examination   
Rabies Vaccination if Due   
Other Vaccination if Due   
Pain Medication   
Parasite Medication   
HW Testing   
Feline Leuk/FIV
County License   
Ear tipping   
Microchip
Other   

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: 
Distemper/Parvo and Kennel Cough vaccines are optional for dogs at $10 each; Panleukopenia/URI and Feline Leukemia vaccines are optional for cats at $10 each. Heartwork, FelV and FIV testing is optional for $15. Dewormer is optional for $10 and flea/earmite treatment is optional for $15. All vaccines and optional services are available to an individual pet ONE TIME ONLY at the time of spay/neuter surgery. Pet owners are referred to local veterinary clinics for ongoing pet wellness and veterinary care.  
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?

 
Community Collaboration
To assure the success of your program, are there any local groups (such as rescue groups, animal control agencies, TNR groups, local businesses, local media, social service agencies,etc.) other than your organization and your cooperating veterinarians who are committed to assist?
 
 
Please list them and detail their level of involvement with the proposed effort.
NameLevel of Involvement
Alachua County Humane SocietyACHS handles hundreds of shelter diversion calls every week. They will work to help target animals that may otherwise end up at the county shelter without the help of free spay/neuter. ACHS runs the low-cost high-quality clinic that will provide spay/neuter service for SNAP.

 
Other Information
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
 Gainesville Pet Rescue will reach out to low-income and spay/neuter resistant pet owners to offer free pet sterilization through our partner clinic, Alachua County Humane Society's Operation PetSnip Cinic. GPR and our community partners believe that targeting very low income and spay/neuter resistant pet owners is the key to increasing pet sterilization above baseline numbers, as these are the pet owners least likely to ever sterilize their cats and dogs. By providing a special fund for free spay/neuter surgery and facilitating participation through outreach and other support, the SNAP project will directly address the most entrenched barriers in our community: poverty and cultural resistance. At an average cost of only $80 per surgery, SNAP is an excellent investment of Florida Animal Friends funding with huge lifesaving potential.
Budget
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats: 155    Dogs:  155 
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000): $25,000.00 
Average cost/surgery projected: $81.00 
Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for (for example, vaccines, microchipping, ear notching, etc.):
Grant funds will be used specifically for the costs of spay/neuter surgery. Gainesville Pet Rescue will cover the costs of required rabies vaccines using locally-raised funds. Outreach will be conducted by our committed corps of volunteers, including students from the University of Florida. We will also solicit in-kind donations of printing & advertising from community and corporate partners.
 
Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
We have created a permanent SNAP fund to which donors can make directed gifts. We also use the project statistic’s to demonstrate impact and effectiveness to make a case for special SNAP endowment to major donors, and to support grant applications to funders including PetSmart Charities, ASPCA, private foundations and the Alachua County Community Support Services grant program.
 
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: 08/01/17/     Projected end date: 07/31/18
 
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.
We have created a permanent SNAP fund to which donors can make directed gifts. We also use the project statistic’s to demonstrate impact and effectiveness to make a case for special SNAP endowment to major donors, and to support grant applications to funders including PetSmart Charities, ASPCA, private foundations and the Alachua County Community Support Services grant program
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.
Gainesville Pet Rescue is grateful for the investment Florida Animal Friend, Inc. is making on behalf of our state's pets. We will acknowledge the Florida Animal Friend grant program on all press releases, newsletters, our website, all printed program materials and through speaking opportunities in our community. We will promote the Florida Animal Friend Spay/Neuter License Plate through a permanent display in our adoption center, reminders in our newsletters and press releases, through links on our website and Facebook page, and during community speaking opportunities.