Grant ID: 1719
Title of Proposal: Saving Lives
Agency Type: Non-Profit
Total Funding Requested: $15,000.00
Check Payable To: Humane Society of Manatee County
Application Information
Demographics
Name of Applicant Agency: Humane Society of Manatee County Website Address: www.humanemanatee.org
Person Submitting Proposal: Valerie Bliss Position: Development Director
Person Submitting Proposal Email Address: [email protected]
Agency Head: Rick Yocum Agency Head Email: [email protected]
Organization Business Address: 2515 14th Street West City: Bradenton
State: Florida Zip: 34205
Phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx): 941-747-8808 Fax: 941-747-5702
Cell: 941-713-2321    
 
Agency Details

Date of 501(c)(3) Incorporation:
Dates of Last Fiscal Year: Begin: 10/01/15    End: 09/30/16
Organization Income in Last Fiscal Year: $2,256,665.80
Organization Expenses in Last Fiscal Year: $2,093,065.36
Number of Paid Employees: Full Time: 21  Part Time: 7
Number of Active Volunteers: 125
Total Volunteer Hours per Week: 160.00
How did you learn of the 2009  Florida Animal Friend grant competition? previous grants and website
Year(s) of previous Florida Animal Friend grants (if applicable):
Previous Florida Animal Friend Applications: Years Funded: 2009,2011, 2015 Year(s) denied/incomplete:
Auto-Generated (Previous Applications):
Grant #Proposal YearProposal TitleStatus
642009Targeted Spay Neuter GrantFunded
2682011Targeted S/NFunded
3512013Targeted spay/neuterDenied (not completed)
14072014Pit Bull targeted spay/neuterDenied
14962015Help Pets, Empower PeopleFunded
16182006 Denied
16192007 Denied
17192017Saving LivesFunded
Describe your Organization:
Services Provided Organization Structure:











List your current board of directors:

NameTitlePhoneOccupation
Andrea Diffendalat Large Member941-756-5127Bank Branch Manager
Cookie Jordanat Large Member941-776-9019Publisher
Dave Smithat Large Member941-224-4891Entrepeneur
Kris EzellSecretary941-807-1101President
Lisa Barnottat Large Member941-757-1542Director of Marketing
Marsha ForrestPresident941-737-7079Business Owner
Michael DinsmoreTreasurer641-685-6809Senior Auditor
Rebecca NealGovernance Committee Chair941-713-1451Animal Advocate
Steve ZerisAt Large Member941-518-6450Realtor
Toby GuinnChair Development Committee941-351-9010Major Gift Campaign Mgr
Xtavia BaileyAt Large941-526-8080Entrepreneur

Applicant Qualifications
For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
531  cats and 726  dogs were admitted.
493   cats and  663   dogs were adopted.
16   cats and  10    dogs were euthanized.
3073   cats and  3278    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? 
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. 
The Humane Society of Manatee County has operated a Humane Alliance model Spay/Neuter Clinic since April 2009. Humane Society of Manatee County Veterinary Clinic is home to Manatee County’s only high volume/ low cost spay & neuter clinic. More than 6000 spay/neuter surgeries each year continues to help reduce the number of stray and homeless animals in our community and in shelters. Vaccine clinics are held several times each year offering free vaccines to those in our community facing financial hardships. Our Veterinary Clinic is open to the public and offers high quality medical care for dogs and cats at very reasonable costs. Our cat and dog wellness programs are expanding rapidly and the addition of a second veterinarian to the medical team took place in September 2016. Dental examinations and procedures are crucial to maintaining a healthy pet and our low cost services make dentals very affordable. The most recent lifesaving equipment added is an x-ray machine made possible by the support of generous donors. The mission of the Humane Society is heavily tied to prevention through spay/neuter. We are committed to promoting low-cost and free spay/neuter surgery and seek grants to offer programs for low-income residents. The Humane Society of Manatee County serves as the lead agency in animal welfare in our community due to our ability to offer much need programs and services because of our expanded state of the art Veterinary Clinic. Our spay/neuter programs are led by our Veterinary and Medical Director, Dr Julie Hollifield who has been on our staff for over 8 years. In addition, we hired another full-time Veterinarian, Dr. Erzsike PaPan to assist Dr. Hollifield with surgeries when needed because the demand for spay/neuter has increased dramatically in our community. Dr. Erzsike PaPan also performs all of our wellness programs.
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? 
We have a current program for low-cost sterilization of cats and dogs (puppies and kittens over two months and two pounds) available to the public. In addition, we have received numerous grants over the years to provide services to underserved residents and target breeds that contribute to over population at the County Shelter. Unfortunately, the Manatee County Low income grant provides limited funding which falls short of meeting the dramatic increase of spay/neuter surgeries in Manatee County. It is for this reason this grant is greatly needed.

Target Population
Geographical target area (name of city, county, zip codes, geographical Information service (GIS), etc.):
 5 Zip Codes in Bradenton and Palmetto Florida in Manatee County: 34203, 34205, 34207, 34208, 34221 
Total human population in target area: 178,871 
Percent of residents living below poverty in target area: 22 
Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3): 54204 
Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0): 44718 
Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0): 29812 
Number of cats admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 821 
Number of dogs admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 2170 
Number of cats euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 203 
Number of dogs euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) 282 
Please explain if you believe your target area animal population is significantly different than above.
The target area was used to provide the data above using the City Data.com site to identify demographics of blocks within the five zip codes that have the highest intake and euthanasia rates of animals in the County Shelter.
Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the target area:
 Unplanned litters and large animals picked up as stray that are never claimed and are not micro-chipped or wearing a tag.
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?
Three components impact meeting the needs of the communities we have targeted: 1) lack of transportation; 2) Lack of funds necessary to seek veterinary services and 3) Lack of awareness low income funding is available
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)?
We hope to accomplish a reduction in the intake of animals from the targeted area and a coinciding reduce euthanasia of animals from the targeted area. Our Community Outreach program has the tools and resources to effectively reach and motivate the targeted community residents to act on behalf of their animals welfare, but will not have enough funding for the required procedures. Our objective is to decrease in-take from the targeted area by 5%. We have received grants to assist in covering cost for spay/neuter surgeries however, we will need to augment that funding to meet the anticipated demand. We are seeking funding to perform an additional 230 surgeries when our low income funding traditionally runs out.
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the existing baseline?
The need in this community outpaces the available funding. We anticipate an increase in our baseline for surgery because of the increased identified need in the targeted zip codes. We do not anticipate any difficulties being able to perform the additional surgeries because we have the capacity in our new Veterinary clinic and the assistance two Veterinarians on staff.
Methods
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program? 
We will use the same criteria we use for the funding provided from the Manatee Low Income grant so it is easy for our staff and the residents. Being any form of government assistance or if their income is at or below the standard for poverty. They will need to have some form of ID to show that they live in the targeted area.
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target audience.
We will use local print media; social media; Radio and community outreach to advertise the need and will provide all messaging in English and in Spanish to overcome language barriers residing in the targeted zip codes
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation, illiteracy, and cultural hurdles? 
We will address the language and literacy barrier by increasing the number of staff who are bilingual.
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.
 No, but we do refer them to a local animal transport service.
Veterinary Services
 

What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries? 
The Humane Society of Manatee County has two full-time Veterinarians. In addition, we have 3 different additional contract Veterinarians we can bring in when needed.
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.
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: 
 The information given above is for our regular clients but for this specific funding if granted we will provide a Rabies vaccine and microchip at no cost if the client is not able to pay. The price listed spay/neuter surgery is the same amount that we receive for the Manatee County Low Income grant.  
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
Animal NetworkCanvass the community and provide education on the importance of spay/neuter
Manatee County Animal ServicesThis is our local County Animal Services and Shelter. They have agreed to help disseminate information through road officers and when people come in to redeem their pets. They are also the organization that will provide in-take and euthanasia data to chart the progress of the grant.

 
Other Information
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
 This program request will add needed funding to our multi-faceted approach to help stem the influx of animals entering the County Shelter from the targeted area by addressing the increasing needs of the people most likely to turn in their pets or have them picked up by Animal Services. The ability to provide increased funding for spay/neuter services to low-income, underserved neighborhoods that show 20% or greater of the population is at or below poverty and has a household income under $35,000 is critical. We have identified in the five zip codes the neighborhoods that are part of a strategic community effort to help people, help their pets and keep them for the life of the pet. Thank you for collecting funds for this important purpose and for the opportunity to apply.
Budget
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats: 52    Dogs:  150 
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000): $15,000.00 
Average cost/surgery projected: $65.00 
Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for (for example, vaccines, microchipping, ear notching, etc.):
We will provide free Rabies vaccines and microchip if the client is not able to pay for it. We will encourage Heartworm testing at $15 and low-cost Heartworm prevention.
 
Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
We Currently have a targeted Bully Breed grant with approximately $20,000 left which includes rabies and microchip. We are requesting funding to cover low income residents need for services and have identified other grant opportunities in which we will seek funding to meet the demand.
 
What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
30%
Timeline
All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding.
Projected start date: 08/27/17/     Projected end date: 08/27/18
 
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.
 The Board of Directors recently completed a three year strategic plan in which the number one priority is being able to meet the communities need of our spay/neuter program. A very detailed Development plan has mapped out varies opportunities and tactics to enable us to not only sustain but also meet the every increasing needs in our community.
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.
 The Board of Directors recently completed a three year strategic plan in which the number one priority is being able to meet the communities need of our spay/neuter program. A very detailed Development plan has mapped out varies opportunities and tactics to enable us to not only sustain but also meet the every increasing needs in our community.