Grant ID: 1726
Title of Proposal: Panama City Pet Cat Grant- Phase 2
Agency Type: Non-Profit
Total Funding Requested: $25,000.00
Check Payable To: Operation Spay Bay, inc
Application Information
Demographics
Name of Applicant Agency: Operation Spay Bay, inc Website Address: www.spaybay.com
Person Submitting Proposal: Alicia Bays, DVM Position: Medical Director
Person Submitting Proposal Email Address: [email protected]
Agency Head: Terry Cotter, treasurer/VP of board Agency Head Email: [email protected]
Organization Business Address: 1600 Bay Avenue City: Panama City
State: FL Zip: 32405
Phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx): 850-215-1022 Fax: 850-215-0605
Cell:    
 
Agency Details

Date of 501(c)(3) Incorporation: 07/25/2012
Dates of Last Fiscal Year: Begin: 01/01/16    End: 12/31/16
Organization Income in Last Fiscal Year: $326,631.18
Organization Expenses in Last Fiscal Year: $347,308.64
Number of Paid Employees: Full Time: 7  Part Time: 0
Number of Active Volunteers: 0
Total Volunteer Hours per Week: 0.00
How did you learn of the 2009  Florida Animal Friend grant competition? Local rescue organization, Castaway Cats informed us of the grant opportunity presented by the Florida Animal Friends.
Year(s) of previous Florida Animal Friend grants (if applicable):
Previous Florida Animal Friend Applications: Years Funded: 0 Year(s) denied/incomplete: 1
Auto-Generated (Previous Applications):
Grant #Proposal YearProposal TitleStatus
17262017Panama City Pet Cat Grant- Phase 2Funded
Describe your Organization:
Services Provided Organization Structure:











List your current board of directors:

NameTitlePhoneOccupation
Charles CromerDirector850-387-0224Law Enforcement
Erin JamesDirector850-774-9013Business Owner
Mary Marie ClemoPresident850-872-9141Business Owner
Shana DuncanSecretary850-832-3825Business Manager
Stacey CromerDirector850-387-0224Accountant
Terri DavidsonDirector850-890-1134Business Owner
Terry CotterTreasurer/Vice Pres850-532-0425Payroll Manager

Applicant Qualifications
For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
4038  cats and 2391  dogs were admitted.
0   cats and  0   dogs were adopted.
0   cats and  0    dogs were euthanized.
3965   cats and  2378    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? 
If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization after adoption:
 
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. 
Operation Spay Bay is the only low cost spay and neuter clinic in the area and our goal is to reduce pet overpopulation and achieve no kill status in our own and surrounding counties. Operation Spay Bay is directed by a board that is made up of leaders of all the local animal rescue organizations; Animal Rescue Center, Castaway Cats, Humane Society of Bay County, and Panama City Beach Paws and Claws. Currently, our local animal control euthanizes over three thousand animals every year. By providing low cost spay/neuter procedures and helping to reduce pet overpopulation, we will reduce companion animal suffering and euthanasia. Our current leadership is provided by the Board of Directors, our Executive Director, Amy Wetzel, and our Medical Director, Dr. Alicia Bays, D.V.M.. Each board member is affiliated with a local animal rescue organization and will aid in disseminating information about our program. Ms. Wetzel first worked with Operation Spay Bay as a Transport Manager and since then has taken on increasing managerial duties. Dr. Bays has been working since the start of the clinic to ensure medical protocols meet national standards set by the Humane Alliance located in North Carolina. We use paid trained staff in the clinic. We do not allow volunteers to handle animals but volunteers are welcomed with help with phone calls and cleaning assistance such as laundry. We have the ability to carry out this program through the dedication and skills of our team. We regularly perform 35 safe surgeries daily and have often surpassed our average numbers to meet demand for other grants up to 45-50 surgeries/day.
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 board puts together an annual fundraiser; the Masquerade Gala which combines a silent auction and admission fee. Several committed volunteers put together an annual concert SpayNeuter Rocks that raises money and generated support for Operation Spay Bay. Most of our funds are from client fees for our services. We also have a donation fund that covers additional medical care as needed for sick pets belonging to low-income clients. Occasionally, we'll have a private donor assist. For example, last year, a law firm donated money to subsidize one hundred surgeries. Additional resources are needed to meet the demand for services as we are located in a low-income area with a 19% poverty rate. Many clients that contact us for assistance say that they cannot afford our services without grant monies and promotions.

Target Population
Geographical target area (name of city, county, zip codes, geographical Information service (GIS), etc.):
 Panama City,Bay County, 32405 
Total human population in target area: 29,980 
Percent of residents living below poverty in target area: 16.3 
Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3): 9085 
Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0): 7495 
Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0): 4997 
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.
We believe our target area animal population is higher than the above calculation. Many residents are low-income and not educated on the importance of spay/neuter or aware of the resources available to do so. Additionally, we have a high transitory population with the local military bases and unfortunately pets are often left behind as they transferred.
Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the target area:
 One of the most substantial sources of dog and cat overpopulation in the area are all the residents with big hearts and small pockets. Many of our clients tell stories of taking in stray animals that they cannot stand to see suffer but then find that they can provide little more than some food for them. The low level of education is responsible for many misconceptions such as females should have at least one litter to enjoy the "joys of motherhood" before being spayed and that it is safer for the pet if they are at least one year old at the time of surgery, by which time they've probably already had a litter. Don't forget - brothers and sisters won't have a baby together!
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?
Currently, we are the only low cost spay neuter clinic within 75 miles. All of the other veterinary services are through private practice and thus their fees are significantly higher than what most Bay County residents can comfortably afford. The average cost for spay/neuter in Bay County is $240 while our average cost is $55.
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.
 
What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
 
Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
 
Estimated number of cats in the target colony area :  
Estimated number that are currently sterilized: 
Projected reduction after utilizing the grant:  
 
For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
 
Do current city/county ordinances address TNR or free-roaming cats?


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:
 
Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
 
Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
 
Will the cats be ear-tipped?
Will the cats be microchipped?
 
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how this program will operate to achieve its goals.
 
Objectives
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific and quantifiable)?
Operation Spay Bay (OSB) was formed as a coalition of four rescue groups in Bay County that recognized the need of a low-cost, high-quality spay and neuter clinic to reduce pet overpopulation. These four groups are Animal Rescue Center of Bay County, Castaway Cats, Humane Society of Bay County, and Paws and Claws. OSB started with a program in 2011 that provided vouchers enabling 3,400 pets to be fixed at a low cost through local veterinary clinics. In March, 2014 an OSB clinic was opened that provided high quality high volume spay and neuter services. To date, a total of 18,064 surgeries have been performed. Our services have helped in decreasing the euthanasia rate of dogs by 42% over three years. There has been a decrease in 12% of euthanasia numbers for cats. The disparity between dogs and cats is influenced by the prolificacy of felines, a large feral cat population, and the priorities of low income families that relegate animal care behind their own pressing needs. This grant will be targeting a specific zip code (32405) in Bay County that is responsible for a large proportion of cats entering Bay County Animal Services and thus comprising a large number of cats that are euthanized each year. The poverty rate for 32405 is 16.3%. Bay County compromises 758 square miles, while 32405 makes up 2.5% of Bay County with 19 square miles. From this 2.5% of Bay County comes 20% of the cats that enter Bay County Animal Services.In 2016 610 cats were picked up in 32405 and 73% of these cats were euthanized. We plan to perform 550 sterilization surgeries on cats in this zip code which is 50% of the estimated 1090 unaltered animals in this region. Our goal is decrease the number of cats entering Animal Services from this zip code by 30% over the course of a year. This grant would provide 550 free spays and neuters for the 32405 zip code from September 1 2017, through August 31, 2018.
How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the existing baseline?
Operation Spay Bay currently provides an average of 33 surgeries/day but additional cat numbers can be accommodated up to 40 animals per day.
Methods
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program? 
The only eligibility requirement for this grant is proof of identity and residence in 32405 in order to encourage as many people to get their pets fixed. Acceptable proof of identity include: - State issued driver’s license - State issued ID card - FL lease or mortgage agreement - FL Declaration of domicile - Copy of utility or bank statement with address in targeted area
How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target audience.
Our primary forms of advertisement will be though a billboard program ($800), and local radio and Facebook ads ($500). We will advertise at the beginning of our program in September and then again as needed midway through the grant period. We have found these advertising methods to be successful in the past to achieve grant goals. Our coalition rescue partners will also direct patients to us and spread news of the grant by word of mouth.
How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation, illiteracy, and cultural hurdles? 
We have a transport van available at the clinic to help transport animals for those with limited mobility. We estimate that we will provide 2-3 trips a week, approximately 30 miles/week. We have budgeted $750 to cover transportation costs. The clinic transportation van is driven only by technicians approved by our liability insurance. Animals are crated and the crates secured in the van. We provide currently 4-5 transports/ month and have not experienced any problems. Our receptionist is bilingual in English and Spanish. Our doctor is bilingual in English and French. During check-in we have someone walk through the paperwork with each client to help them with any questions and occasionally fill in or read paperwork to them.
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.
 The clinic transportation van (a 2015 GMC Savanna) is driven only by technicians approved by our liability insurance. Animals are crated and the crates secured within the van. We provide currently 4-5 transports/ month and have not experienced any problems.
Veterinary Services
 

What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries? 
We have a veterinarian in house who performs all the surgeries. Dr. Alicia Bays, DVM has performed over 17,000 surgeries meeting strict Humane Alliance standards of care.
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 heartworm test is included with the FeLV/FIV test.  
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 Rescue Center of Panama CityVery involved in the start of Operation Spay Bay. They bring in rescues to spay/neuter and refer people to use our services.
Bay County Animal ServicesBCAS has most of their animals fixed at Operation Spay Bay as well as referring people in need to our services. See attached letter.
Castaway CatsCastaway Cats works in the community primarily through TNR but will also assist people with strays. They are very involved with Operation Spay Bay; bringing in their own animals and providing community support for low income families to bring in found cats. See attached letter.
Heartland Animal RescueHeartland Animal Rescue has recently become involved with OSB in bringing and sponsoring feral and owned cats. See attached letter.
Humane Society of Bay CountyThe Humane Society of Bay County is very involved with Operation Spay Bay. See attached letter.
Paws and Claws of Panama CityPaws and Claws Rescue is very involved with Operation Spay Bay, especially with the large population of cats. See attached letter.

 
Other Information
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
 We require all animals over the age of 4 months to have a current rabies vaccination. If not current, a rabies vaccine will be given at the cost of $10 to the client. If a client is unable to afford the vaccine, funds can be used from our “Spay it Forwards” donation fund. Clients can make appointments online or by phone. We accept walk-ins for cats on a limited basis. We provide free rechecks for all patients to ensure that all animals are doing well post-operatively.
Budget
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats: 570    Dogs:  0 
Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000): $25,000.00 
Average cost/surgery projected: $44.00 
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 require all animals over the age of 4 months to have a current rabies vaccination. If not current, a rabies vaccine will be given at the cost of $10 to the client. If a client is unable to afford the vaccine, funds can be used from our “Spay it Forwards” donation fund. We provide additional optional vaccines and testing that clients can pay for if wanted.
 
Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
No additional funding for this particular targeted zip code at this time.
 
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: 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.
 We currently operate four days a week with an average of 33 surgeries/ day. Approximately 1/3 of these surgeries are from rescue organizations with the rest coming from public clients. We apply for grants from organizations for specific target populations we feel contribute to the euthanasia numbers in our county (i.e. primarily cats from low income areas). We also have an annual gala and silent auction to support the cause as well as other smaller events. Our next step is to find a larger building so we can accommodate a larger number of patients as well as start to hold weekly wellness clinics to provide low cost vaccination and preventative services to our low-income clientele.
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 plan on advertising through local radio and media as well as billboards. We plan to promote the license plate program by thanking Florida Animal Friend in all advertisements and promoting the logo in all printed materials. Florida Animal Friends already has ready made graphics that are easy to incorporate into our website and social media pages.