|
Grant ID:
1734
|
|
Operation Nip it in the Bud |
|
Non-Profit |
|
$3,000.00 |
|
SGI Cat Allies Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Application Information |
Demographics
Agency Details
|
08/28/2014
|
|
Begin:
01/01/16
End:
12/31/16
|
|
$12,450.00
|
|
$12,511.35
|
|
Full Time:
0
Part Time:
0
|
|
20
|
|
45.00
|
|
Florida License Plate ad through facebook
|
|
|
| Years Funded: none Year(s) denied/incomplete:
1
|
| Grant # | Proposal Year | Proposal Title | Status |
| 1655 | 2016 | Operation S.O.S. (Snip or Spay) | Denied |
| 1734 | 2017 | Operation Nip it in the Bud | 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. |
|
234
cats and 0
dogs were sterilized. |
|
|
|
|
Briefly describe your animal programs:
|
|
|
|
|
If your program performs adoptions, are all animals sterilized before adoption?
No
|
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.
SGI Cat Allies has held many successful mass TNVR events hosted by our areas only Veterinarian Dr. Hobson Fulmer. However, our services remain in high demand. Operation Nip it in the Bud was designed to increase our effectiveness by utilizing alternate resources. Operation Spay Bay located in Panama City, FL has agreed to S/N 10-20 cats on a weekly basis with a target goal of 300 community cats. Cathy Buell, President of SGI Cat Allies will spearhead this project. She has effectively been lead administrator for our mass TNVR events. As a former Educator, Ms. Buell brings a myriad of skills and network contacts required to implement this program. She will be working directly with Terry Cotter of Operation Spay Bay 850-215-1022
|
|
|
|
|
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?
SGI Cat Allies has TNVR 556 community cats in the past 2 1/2 years. As a public charity, all of our funding to date has been through private donation and fundraisers. Over population of community cats mandates an increase in our program. Current fundraisers include hot dog sales at local events and six donation jars located in area businesses. For 2017, we are increasing our efforts by initiating a direct mail solicitation, a spayghetti dinner with silent auction, and application to available grants.
|
|
|
|
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.
Apalachicola (32320) 2.7 sq. mi. population 2,500; Eastpoint (32328) 7.3 sq. mi.population 2,350; St George Island (32328) 28 sq. mi..population 645.
|
|
|
What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
Area residence are encouraged to contact us on Facebook or by telephone (850) 370-1125 to report sightings of community cats. In this small area, neighbors frequently just call those they know are volunteers. A weekly trapping list is compiled on a first come first serve basis. We are open to prioritizing according to reported colony size.
|
| |
Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
Apalachicola, Eastpoint, and St. George Island are small rural bayside communities separated only by two bridges. We answer all request both residential and commercial within this 10 mile radius.
|
| |
|
Estimated number of cats in the target colony area
:
1700
|
|
Estimated number that are currently sterilized: 600
|
|
Projected reduction after utilizing the grant: 300
|
|
|
For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
There are an abundance of retirees in the area that enjoy providing for the colonies. However, financially it poses a problem to feed the colonies for many. This month we have established a food bank to assist these caretakers. Volunteer Angela Shields is spearheading this effort. Many local businesses from Restaurants to Realty Offices maintain and support several colonies. It is a very animal friendly community.
|
|
|
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.) |
|
|
For TNR program, list any groups or government agencies who support this TNR effort:
St. George Island Civic Club, Franklin County Humane Society, Trinity Episcopal Church, City of Apalachicola
|
|
|
Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
In addition to reducing by attrition the number of free roaming cats, we offer colony relocation services to community cats that may be a threat to nesting birds or other wildlife.
|
|
|
Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
We consistently educate our citizens in the benefits of TNVR. Humanely reducing the numbers of free-roaming cats benefits the felines and the residents. As we are able to reduce the number of unwanted litters, the incident of nuisance issues also reduces. We also have experience in relocating colonies as a last resort.
|
| |
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.
Door-to-door canvassing helps to identify colonies and provides a limitless opportunity to educate individuals, as well as groups, regarding the efficiency of TNVR programs. Locating the cats and trapping the cats are our responsibility. Our volunteer base is consistently increasing to accommodate the additional trapping.
|
|
|
|
|
Objectives |
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific
and quantifiable)?
Right now we are reducing our reproductive cat population by appoximately 250 cats annually. With this grant we would like to sustain our current level plus an additional 300 surgeries. The increased community contact also provides an excellent opportunity to educate the local and visiting population as well as informing them about Florida Animal Friends. |
|
|
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the
existing baseline?
We will sustain our current level of approximately 250 surgeries per year. Given a time frame of 9-15-17 to 9-15-18 it would effectively increase our numbers to approximately 400 cats sterilized annually for 2017 and 2018. |
|
|
Methods |
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program?
All intact feral or community cats, at least three months old weighing at least 3 pounds, are eligible for our program. |
|
|
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target
audience.
Apalach Times, Oyster Radio, SGI Cat Allies Facebook page, SGIcatallies.com web page, civic meetings, fundraisers, and direct mail, Flyers in local grocery stores and other area businesses. |
|
|
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation,
illiteracy, and cultural hurdles?
Cats will be trapped by SGI Cat Allies volunteers and housed in a secure environment. They will then be transported to Panama City by Operation Spay Bay in their 'Neuter Commuter" climate controlled cargo van and returned to us. Before we trap, we require the property owners signature on a permission form. It is during this interaction that we have the opportunity to educate citizens regarding the many benefits of TNVR. |
|
|
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.
Trapping is lead by Cathy Buell. All volunteers are given a 4 hour training in appropriate protocol, including safety issues for both cat and volunteer. All volunteers sign a liability waiver kept on file at SGI Cat Allies. Once the cats are trapped a cover is placed over the trap to help keep them calm and they are held in a secure environment until pick-up by Operation Spay Bay driver Amy Wetzel. |
|
|
Veterinary Services |
What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries?
Operation Spay Bay has two Vets on staff. We are charged an average of $40 for surgery plus $10 for Rabies vaccine per cat.
|
| 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:
We will be charged an average of $40 for surgery. Ear tipping is done for free. We are charged an additional $10 for the rabies vaccine.
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
|
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.
| Apalach Times | Local Newspaper that generously promotes our efforts with details regarding what we do. |
| Bowery Station Pub | Sponsors fundraisers. |
| Franklin County Humane Society | Publicly promotes our programs on social media and maintains a list cats needing our assistance. |
| Grocery Stores: IGA, Big Top | Maintain colonies |
| Local Restaurants: Beach Pit, Bue Parrot, Coastal Restaurant,Black Marlin. | Maintain colonies. |
| Oyster Radio | Local radio station broadcast our efforts to inform the community. |
| Sometimes it's Hotter; Apalachicola Soda Shop; BJ's Pizza, Beach Pit | All maintain donation boxes for SGI Cat Allies |
| Trinity Episcopal Church | Sponsors S/N and encourages members to do the same. |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Information |
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee
understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
We have been fortunate enough to have recently added to our list of volunteers. Andy Bass formerly with RedRover, Florida State Animal Rescue Coalition, and currently with the ASPCA of Tampa, FL, has moved to the area and has already become very active with us. Also, Bonnie Stewart has moved here from Oconee County Georgia where she was head of Dog Adoptions with her local Humane Society. That is just to name a couple of our trained/experienced volunteers that stand ready to assist in trapping to facilitate the ongoing success of our operation. We have purchased 25 TruCatch traps and made covers for them. Operation Spay Bay provides us with the opportunity to make St. George Island/Apalachicola.Eastpoint a model success story for TNVR. Positive support through volunteering to donations from our Community and Vacationers has been outstanding. |
|
|
Budget |
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats:
300
Dogs: 0
|
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000):
$3,000.00
Average cost/surgery projected:
$10.00
|
|
|
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.
Florida Animal Friends grant, Petco grant in progress, PetSmart grant to be applied for in August. Additional fundraising will include direct mail solicitation and Spaghetti dinner with silent auction. We will also increase our hotdog sales at local events.
|
| |
What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
25%
|
|
|
Timeline |
|
All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding. |
|
Projected start date:
08/15/17/
Projected end date:
08/15/18 |
|
|
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.
We should not be funding Operation Nip it in the Bud in the future. The intent is to increase our effectiveness to where we have a manageable level of sterilized feral/community cats and our current program will suffice in keeping our cat population under control in this area of Franklin County, FL. Future plans are to expand to another small town in the County that is in desperate need of our services but we must get our current area under control before we expand. |
|
|
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 will certainly advertise on our Facebook page as well as our web page. We will have a local press release thanking all our many local business donors and agencies that have aided SGI Cat Allies in this endeavor. |
|