Grant ID: 1702
Title of Proposal: Spay/Neuter Nassau
Agency Type: Non-Profit
Total Funding Requested: $11,587.38
Check Payable To: Nassau Humane Society
Application Information
Demographics
Name of Applicant Agency: Nassau Humane Society Website Address: nassauhumanesociety.org
Person Submitting Proposal: Marianna McIntyre Position: Director of Development and Community Outreach
Person Submitting Proposal Email Address: [email protected]
Agency Head: Beth Hughes, Board President Agency Head Email: [email protected]
Organization Business Address: 639 Airport Road City: Fernandina Beach
State: FL Zip: 32034
Phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx): 904-321-1647 Fax: 904-491-8411
Cell:    
 
Agency Details

Date of 501(c)(3) Incorporation: 10/01/1989
Dates of Last Fiscal Year: Begin: 10/01/15    End: 09/30/16
Organization Income in Last Fiscal Year: $547,467.03
Organization Expenses in Last Fiscal Year: $549,786.27
Number of Paid Employees: Full Time: 8  Part Time: 18
Number of Active Volunteers: 478
Total Volunteer Hours per Week: 392.00
How did you learn of the 2009  Florida Animal Friend grant competition? Previous Grant Funding and Advertisements
Year(s) of previous Florida Animal Friend grants (if applicable):
Previous Florida Animal Friend Applications: Years Funded: 2009, 2015 Year(s) denied/incomplete: 2001, 2013
Auto-Generated (Previous Applications):
Grant #Proposal YearProposal TitleStatus
1072009Nassau Humane Society Low-Cost Spay/Neuter OutreachDenied
2372011Spay/Neuter OutreachDenied
14932015Spay FernandinaFunded
16262006 Denied (not completed)
16272007 Funded
17022017Spay/Neuter NassauFunded
Describe your Organization:
Services Provided Organization Structure:











List your current board of directors:

NameTitlePhoneOccupation
Amanda PelletierVice President, Board of Trustees904-335-7458Ritz Carlton Amelia Island
Ann Marie WisemanTrustee904-335-7333Local Business Owner
Dr. Gerald KossTrustee904-261-1504Optometrist, Business Owner
Ed HardeeTrustee904-321-7991Retired, Journalist
Elizabeth HughesPresident, Board of Trustees703-283-0016Attorney, Retired
John LandreganSecretary, Board of Trustees904-254-8790Retired, Corporate Finance
Norman LedwinTreasurer, Board of Trustees904-583-7893Retired
Pat SmithTrustee904-557-6375N/A

Applicant Qualifications
For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
531  cats and 491  dogs were admitted.
510   cats and  386   dogs were adopted.
26   cats and  20    dogs were euthanized.
500   cats and  351    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. 
The Nassau Humane Society has a long established leadership role and relationship with many other groups in the community that work in close cooperation to provide the most complete and comprehensive services for animals in the community. NHS works directly with other shelters (both no-kill shelters, and shelters which must euthanize for various reasons) in the surrounding areas for the transfer and exchange of animals so that the more animals can be saved and placed in their forever homes. Our executive staff and the Animal Control manager have worked diligently with the Nassau County Animal Services, the county- operated shelter with jurisdiction outside the city of Fernandina Beach, for the transfer of animals from their shelter to our new and expanded shelter due to our increased capacity and incredible success with adoptions. In 2016, NHS recorded nearly 900 adoptions! This adoption number has steadily increased every year due to the excellent efforts and collaboration of NHS staff and volunteers, with other animal shelters and animal services organizations. With help from a collaboration that includes NHS, the Nassau County Animal Services is able to maintain a recently earned title of ‘no-kill’, since they have greatly reduced the need to euthanize for space. NHS has a history of managing a number of spay/neuter projects and grants. In 2009, and again in 2015, we successfully administered previous FAF spay/neuter grants in our low-income community, providing surgeries to over 100 pets each year of the grant funding. In 2012, NHS successfully completed an 18 month grant from PetSmart Foundation for a targeted spay/neuter program that resulted in a significant outcome in an area of the City of Fernandina Beach to counter the overpopulation of pit bulls and pit bull mix dogs. The reduction in unwanted animals from the targeted areas was a great success. As the contractual provider of Animal Control services in the City of Fernandina Beach the Nassau Humane Society’s affiliate corporate entity, Fernandina Beach Animal Rescue (FBAR) will be able to utilize our Animal Control Officers to help identify and reach those low-income families who cannot afford fees for such sterilization services. The Nassau Humane Society executive staff include the Director of Development and Community Outreach, the Director of Operations, and an Animal Control Manager. The Animal Control Manager is responsible for the shelter and animal control services, and is our longest-serving employee, with 11 years of dedicated service that encompasses all shelter responsibilties, including adoption programs, spay/neuter programs, community outreach, budget management, and grant management. Our Director of Development and Community Outreach has extensive experience in financial and budget management, operations, donor development, fundraising, and grant management with community non-profits. Our Director of Operations oversees all of our operations, including the shelter, all staff, the membership-only Dog Park, and our Second Chance store, and is an active member in the community. Our Board of Trustees is comprised of a diverse group of dedicated community members from many areas of expertise, including grant writing and management, corporate management, local business owners, news media, and others. Our volunteers provide a tremendous amount of support to the organization. Dog-walkers, Dog Park staff, and those working on our thrift store donate the bulk of the volunteer hours. The adoption volunteers are extremely active, and have provided such support that adoptions increase at an incredible rate every year. All of these volunteers can be depended on to support this project in many ways, such as distribution of materials, translation services, etc.
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? 
Area residents are fully and solely responsible for the spaying and neutering of their pets. A 2014 community-wide grant from PetSmart®, “Spay Nassau” administered by the Nassau County Animal Services (not NHS), has terminated. At this point, pet owners who cannot afford spay/neuter surgeries have no program to help them afford it. Currently, NHS does not have funds for a spay/neuter program to assist pet owners in the community who cannot afford it. Until early 2014, NHS administered a previous grant from PetSmart® that targeted pit bulls and pit bull mixes in a specific area of the City where owners could not afford the surgeries. That grant had ended, and we have seen a significant increase in the pet overpopulation in that particular area of the City. NHS does not have any unrestricted funds that can assist the public with the cost of spay/neuter. Cats' Angels, a local non-profit organization, sponsors a feral cat catch and release spay/neuter program. This is supported solely by donations. Dogs and owned pets are not included in that program. The proposed program for this grant will enable NHS to spay/neuter cats and dogs for which there are no other program services available. First Coast No More Homeless Pets, a non-profit pet clinic located approximately 30 miles away in the next county, is the only location for our residents to obtain low cost spay/neuter services, and transportation is a major issue that prevents our residents from utilizing this available service.

Target Population
Geographical target area (name of city, county, zip codes, geographical Information service (GIS), etc.):
 City of Fernandina Beach in the County of Nassau, Zip code 32034 
Total human population in target area: 12,153 
Percent of residents living below poverty in target area: 11.9% 
Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3): 3683 
Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0): 3039 
Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0): 2026 
Number of cats admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) N/A 
Number of dogs admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) N/A 
Number of cats euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) N/A 
Number of dogs euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year (if known) N/A 
Please explain if you believe your target area animal population is significantly different than above.
The City of Fernandina Beach is a part of the larger geographic area of Amelia Island. Amelia Island also includes a large area on the island that is not part of the incorporated City. While the vast majority of families living below poverty level on the island are contained within the city limits, there are portions of the incorporated area that contain rural areas where a significant number of families also live below poverty level. Since these areas adjoin each other, the pet overpopulation problem does not really follow the corporate division lines. it would be advantageous to the entire area to include some of those pet owners that live in nearby adjoining unincorporated areas of the county. As funds allow, NHS would like to consider including some of that population as well. NHS does not deny persons access to the pet Food Bank, just because the owner lives a block or two outside of the incorporated city, if the need is there.
Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the target area:
 The lack of available and affordable spay/neuter services for lower-income families is the major source of dog and cat overpopulation in the community. There are several areas in the City of Fernandina Beach where many owner/residents are financially unable to pay for spay and neuter services. In these areas especially, residents remain undereducated about the dangers and risks of dog and cat overpopulation. In certain areas of the community, particularly the more rural areas, many owners allow dogs and cats to roam freely, creating not only an overpopulation of unsterilized animals, but also increasing the danger of spreading disease. NHS has education material that helps dispel those myths and provides the positive information about spaying and neutering. This particular program will result in a renewed effort to provide this education, both through public service announcements and through printed material, since there will be services available to those pet-owners who cannot afford the surgeries.
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?
Area residents are fully and solely responsible for the spaying and neutering of their pets. Currently, NHS does not have funds for a spay/neuter program to assist pet owners in the community who cannot afford it. Until early 2014, NHS administered a previous grant from PetSmart that targeted pit bulls and pit bull mixes in a specific area of the City where owners could not afford the surgeries. That grant has ended, and we have seen a significant increase in the pet overpopulation in that particular area of the City. NHS does not have any unrestricted funds that can assist the public with the cost of spay/neuter at this time. Cats' Angels, a local non-profit organization, sponsors a feral cat catch and release spay/neuter program on an extremely limited basis. This is supported solely by donations. Dogs and owned pets are not included in that program. The proposed program for this grant will enable NHS to spay/neuter cats and dogs for which there are no other program services available. First Coast No More Homeless Pets, a non-profit pet clinic located approximately 30 miles away in the next county, is the only location for our residents to obtain low cost spay/neuter services, and transportation is a major issue that prevents our residents from utilizing this available service. This grant will enable NHS to provide not only the surgeries at this pet clinic, but also transportation for those owners who cannot afford or do not have access to transportation.
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?
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:
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? No
 
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)?
NHS will expand community outreach to educate the members of our community about the benefits of spay/neuter and dispels the myths. We believe that our education programs are accomplishing that step to a certain extent. The problem has been being able to provide assistance to pet owners who cannot afford the surgery. Only by taking both steps, can we seriously affect the overpopulation of cats and dogs in our community. Since most of our intakes come from the stray and nuisance animal population, particularly large dogs, pit bull and pit bull mix animals, and kittens, our goal is to complete sterilizations of at least 150 animals that would not otherwise be sterilized due to the inability of owners to pay. Research in the state and the county demonstrates that where there is an affordable, low-cost, sliding-scale or free sterilization program for pet owners, the stray and feral population has decreased by as much as 95% over just a few years. First Coast No More Homeless Pets in Jacksonville Florida, under Director Rick DuCharme, has performed more than 100,000 sterilizations since 2002, which has produced a 31% reduction in animal intakes and a 58% reduction in euthanizations in the adjoining Duval County. Clearly a community-based spay/neuter program that provides free or no-cost surgeries has a major impact.
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the existing baseline?
NHS has greatly increased the number of pets adopted from our shelter every year. Since no animal can be adopted from our shelter until it is spayed or neutered, this has had an impact on the number of sterilizations overall, and had an impact on the pet overpopulation. It has not, however, entirely eliminated the pet overpopulation in our community. In lower-income areas, the pet overpopulation continues to be the largest source of concern. This program will increase the opportunity for NHS to provide those services to this part of the population, and increase sterilizations above the normal rate in those areas.
Methods
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program? 
The ability or inability to pay for sterilization will be determined by the following: (1) recommendations and reports from the Animal Control Officer who has been at a city residence and observed the situation; (2) an interview with the person or family referred to determine their income level, ability to pay for the service, and their ability to afford proper care for their pet; (3) a pet owner who is receiving services from local social service agencies or other community organizations providing services to indigent persons and families. Currently, the NHS food bank program already requires that pet-owners must have their animals spayed or neutered to be eligible for pet food. Currently, some owners are unable to receive this free pet food since they have not spayed or neutered their animal. With funding from this program, if such an owner fits the criteria for low-income eligibility, but cannot afford the surgery for their pet, NHS will offer them participation in this program. NHS will also coordinate with social service agencies and organizations to encourage them to make referrals.
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target audience.
NHS has significant experience with community education and outreach concerning pet care and pet services. Since NHS affiliate FBAR (Fernandina Beach Animal Rescue) provides animal control services within the city of Fernandina Beach, animal control officers have contact on a daily basis with the community. In particular, the majority of animal control calls for service are in the low-income area of the city. NHS submits articles to the local community newspaper (The NewsLeader) which provides twice weekly opportunities to advertise about adoption services, and any other available services, including spay/neuter, education, and others. We also maintain a popular and very active Facebook page with more than 6,000 followers, which is an instant connection to the community. At the new shelter, NHS offers guidance to the public from animal welfare professionals. Local public and private schools often participate in field trips to the shelter. Our cadre of volunteers is one of our best methods of advertisement, and we rely on their excellent contacts within the community. NHS will advertise the program through a variety of methods: (1) distribution of informational/educational brochures, postcards, door-hangers, and flyers about the program; (2) display of posters at various businesses; (3) informing all local veterinary clinics and offices about the program so that they can refer clients who are unable to afford spaying/neutering; and (4) advertising in the local newspapers, at public events, on the website and on social media. Additional advertising and outreach methods to educate the public about this available program will be through direct-mail advertising in the targeted community areas. NHS has had success by advertising at local churches, local social service agencies such as Communities in Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Barnabas and Barnabas Community Food Bank, the local Florida Council on Aging, the Department of Children and Families, Micah’s Place (provides relief to indigent families and domestic violence victims), and the faith-based organization Interfaith Dinner Network which provides meals to the homeless and at-need community members.
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation, illiteracy, and cultural hurdles? 
NHS utilizes interpreters and volunteers to manage any cultural or language barriers. Volunteers at NHS are selected not only because of the aspect of caring for and fostering animals, but to also fill the need to bridge cultural, language and literacy gaps with the public. The NHS currently funds official vehicles for appropriate animal transport, including the pick-up of animals from families without transportation, and for pick-up and delivery at local veterinary clinics. NHS will assure that printed materials are provided in both English and Spanish, which will serve the vast majority of the community population.
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.
 Yes, if needed. NHS affiliate FBAR owns transport vehicles. If owners cannot provide their own transportation to and from the surgery site, these vehicles will be used to provide transportation of animals to and from the surgery sites. Vehicles are licensed and fully insured (up to $1,000,000). Only licensed drivers utilize this vehicle. All licensed operators are specifically named on the insurance policy. Volunteers and staff who handle animals have all received the appropriate training to safely handle animals.
Veterinary Services
 

What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries? 
NHS has obtained the commitment from First Coast No More Homeless Pets in Jacksonville, FL to provide the surgeries for this project at a reduced cost. First Coast No More Homeless Pets is one of the several partners of the County Animal Coalition in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Clay county. Several of the surgeries for the shelter animals at NHS are performed by First Coast No More Homeless Pets, so there is an established collaborative relationship. While several of our local vets can perform surgeries on a very limited basis, First Coast No More Homeless Pets is able to commit to the total number of anticipated surgeries since their pet clinic is exceptionally large.
Are they:  
 

Veterinary Practices
Practice NameAddressCityStateZipPhoneLead Practice
First Coast No More Homeless Pets pet clinic6817 Norwood Avenue JacksonvilleFL32208904-425-0005

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: 
 Some of the fees if a client chooses to accept the service will vary depending on the size of the animal and the type of service. However, all services are offered at First Coast No More Homeless Pets.  
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
Barnabas Inc.Barnabas serves the local community in need of financial assistance, housing assistance, and other such services. NHS currently works with Barnabas to assist homeless persons with pets to provide pet food and some minor animal services. Barnabas will work with NHS on this project to help identify those persons with pets who would qualify for this program.
Nassau County Animal ServicesNassau County Animal Services is the county animal shelter, serving those unincorporated areas outside of the limits of the City of Fernandina Beach. This organization works closely with NHS for the transfer of adoptable animals from their shelter to NHS to increase the likelihood of adoption. Nassau County Animal Services will notify NHS when they have knowledge of pet owners who would qualify for this project.

 
Other Information
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
 NHS has an excellent connection to the community, and as part of this project, NHS will greatly increase the community outreach to assure that all eligible persons have the opportunity to participate in this project.
Budget
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats: 75    Dogs:  100 
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000): $11,587.38 
Average cost/surgery projected: $67.00 
Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for (for example, vaccines, microchipping, ear notching, etc.):
A portion of the expenses for the printing, mailing and other distribution of materials will be provided in kind by NHS. If participating pet owners cannot afford the cost of the city license and the rabies vaccine, NHS will provide this in-kind. A portion of the transportation costs, including vehicle upkeep, will be provided in-kind by NHS.
 
Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
N/A
 
What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
95%
Timeline
All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding.
Projected start date: 10/01/17/     Projected end date: 09/30/18
 
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.
 NHS has a record of successful fundraising activities and will conduct additional activities to continue spaying and neutering animals in the county. Over the past 7 years, NHS has successfully applied for and been awarded several grant funding opportunities exclusively for spay/neuter services to low-income pet owners in our city. NHS consistently works with the City Commission to introduce legislation that will require the spaying and neutering of all animals in the city with only a few specific exceptions such as properly licensed breeders. NHS is also working closely with adjoining counties who may be able to provide additional low-cost clinic services (including spay and neuter). In nearby Jacksonville, First Coast No More Homeless Pets (associated with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah), has established a low-cost and sliding scale veterinary clinic which will include spay and neuter services. This organization has commitments from veterinarians in Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach and Nassau County to provide volunteer hours to the clinic. NHS has been working with this organization to establish a collaborative effort for Nassau County residents (who qualify) to utilize these services.
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.
 NHS supports the License Plate program, and promotes this program on the NHS website, on the City of Fernandina Beach website via the Animal Control link, and through the local newspaper. Each person/family that adopts an animal from the NHS shelter will be provided with information about the License Plate program as another way to support the efforts to reduce pet overpopulation. NHS will utilize the local newspaper to advertise and encourage participation in the License Plate program. NHS currently provides information about the License Plate program to the public during all local events, and encourages the public to support the License Plate program. Our volunteers are also encouraged to support this program, and they have responded by being extremely committed to purchasing the License Plates. In addition, brochures and educational materials distributed by NHS will publicize and link to the License Plate program.