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Grant ID:
1813
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Community Centers-Targeted Spay/Neuter to Reduce Shelter Intakes |
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Non-Profit |
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$25,000.00 |
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Be The Solution, Inc. |
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Application Information |
Demographics
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Be The Solution, Inc.
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www.bethesolution.us
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Sonya White
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Office Coordinator
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[email protected]
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Ms. Gerry Phipps
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[email protected]
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1400 Village Square Blvd. #3-306
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Tallahassee
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FL
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32312
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850-545-2043
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850-545-2043
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Agency Details
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02/17/2007
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Begin:
06/01/16
End:
05/31/17
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$293,316.00
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$293,731.00
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Full Time:
2
Part Time:
1
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8
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30.00
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Prior Grant Recipient
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| Years Funded: 2014/15-approved Year(s) denied/incomplete:
2016/17- applied, denied
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| Grant # | Proposal Year | Proposal Title | Status |
| 211 | 2011 | Spay and Neuter Student Pets Today! | Denied |
| 1415 | 2014 | Community Outreach | Funded |
| 1472 | 2015 | Community Outreach Project | Denied |
| 1671 | 2016 | Caring for Cats | Denied |
| 1813 | 2018 | Community Centers-Targeted Spay/Neuter to Reduce Shelter Intakes | Funded |
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Describe your Organization:
Applicant Qualifications
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For your organization, in the last complete fiscal year:
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0
cats and
0
dogs were admitted.
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0
cats and 0
dogs were adopted. |
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0
cats and 0
dogs were euthanized. |
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2421
cats and 1408
dogs were sterilized. |
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Briefly describe your animal programs:
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If your program performs adoptions, are all animals sterilized before adoption?
Yes
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If not all, what percentage of animals are not currently sterilized before adoption?
N/A
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If not all, how are animals selected for sterilization before adoption?
N/A
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If not all, describe your sterilization policies and procedures for assuring sterilization
after adoption:
N/A
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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.
Since 2007, Be The Solution (BTS) has been progressive and highly-motivated in distributing spay/neuter vouchers throughout our community; creating educational programs for children & adults to promote the importance of saving lives via spay/neuter; and building strong, vital partnerships with our local animal welfare community- City of Tallahassee’s Animal Services Center (ASC), City of Tallahassee’s Animal Control (CAC), Leon County Animal Control (LCAC), 16 Local Veterinary Clinics including South Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic (SGSN), Animal Shelter Foundation (ASF), Leon County Humane Society (LCHS), It’s Meow or Never (IMON- TNR organization), Voices of Chance Animal League (VOCAL- getting backyard dogs off chains); and neighboring organizations- Wakulla Animal Control (WCAC), Gadsden County Humane Society (GCHS), and Jefferson County Humane Society (JCHS). We believe that building strong collaborations are a win-win situation in saving lives and reducing the number of homeless and abandoned animals euthanized at our local and neighboring shelters.
BTS staff to coordinate this grant program are: 1) Gerry Phipps, Founder and Director of BTS with more than ten years experience in building and operating a non-profit animal welfare organization and 2) Sonya White, past Executive Director of Jacksonville Humane Society and Leon County Humane Society with more than thirty years experience in animal welfare organizations.
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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?
Initially in 2007, BTS provided discounted spay/neuter vouchers to pet owners in Leon County and gradually year-to-year increased distribution of vouchers to residents in Crawfordville, Monticello, Havana and Quincy – towns that have shown to have a direct impact on the animal intake at the City of Tallahassee’s Animal Services Center. BTS vouchers are distributed to individuals at our office in Tallahassee at our thrift shop “The Fix” and also at community events throughout the year. Additionally, with our strong local collaborations, BTS provides vouchers to Animal Control Officers at ASC, CAC, LCAC, WCAC to distribute in the field when dealing with animal welfare issues. Local animal non-profits also receive BTS vouchers that support their work in TNR, rescue and animal welfare efforts. Partnering groups include IMON, LCHS, GCHS, JCHS, and VOCAL. By gradually expanding our voucher distribution each year to local animal groups and ACOs, BTS is directly affecting the decrease in animals being relinquished at the local Animal Services Center.
BTS has negotiated fixed rates with more than sixteen local veterinarian clinics, to reimburse these clinics for the spay/neuter surgeries. Individuals complete the voucher application at the BTS office or community event. If they can provide “proof of need” i.e. unemployment, food stamps, disability etc. or a single income of $25,000 or less or a joint income of $40,000 or less, then their voucher co-pay is only $5.00. Otherwise a dog voucher co-pay is $30.00 and a cat voucher co-pay is $20.00. The pet owner is responsible for scheduling the appointment with one of BTS’ partner veterinarian clinics and the pet must be current on rabies vaccination at the time of surgery. When the sterilization surgery is completed the pet owner pays the co-pay directly to the clinic in addition to paying for pain meds, fluids and any additional expense they’ve agreed to. The clinic then sends a bill to BTS and BTS pays the clinic the negotiated rate per animal that is sterilized.
Throughout 2017, BTS helped complete 3,829 spay/neuter surgeries. The budgeted monies of $172,124.00 to pay for these surgeries were raised via proceeds from our successful thrift shop “The Fix” (established 4 years ago) bequests, sponsorships and individual donations.
Additional grant resources for spay/neuter surgeries will allow us to connect with the harder-to-reach population in targeted low-income neighborhoods, complete more surgeries from these areas and further our progress in keeping animals from entering the shelter. The grant funding will also help Leon County residents comply with the new “Anti-Tether” Ordinance (Chpt 4, section 4-37). BTS will partner with VOCAL and designate available spaces on the monthly transport. These spaces will be reserved for VOCAL dogs to be sterilized in order to complete organizational requirements so VOCAL volunteers can install fences which will allow the animals to be unleashed in their backyards.
Through active fundraising and partnerships, additional components of this grant program will be funded to assist with transportation needs, rabies vaccinations, microchips, advertising materials, pain meds & fluids and program coordination.
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Target Population |
Geographical target area (name of city, county, zip codes, geographical Information service (GIS), etc.):
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South of I-10, West of Monroe Street, Leon County FL. |
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Total human population in target area:
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96,000 |
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Percent of residents living below poverty in target area:
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30% |
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Estimated number of pet cats in target area (human population divided by 3.3):
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29091 |
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Estimated number of pet dogs in target area (human population divided by 4.0):
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24000 |
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Estimated number of feral cats in target area (human population divided by 6.0):
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16000 |
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Number of cats admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
1251 |
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Number of dogs admitted to animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
1518 |
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Number of cats euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
288 |
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Number of dogs euthanized in animal control shelters in the target area last year
(if known) |
349 |
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Please explain if you believe your target area animal population is significantly
different than above.
Considering the poverty level in the target neighborhoods, the estimated numbers of pet cats & feral cats listed above are probably lower than the actual numbers. |
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Please explain what you believe are the most substantial sources of dog and cat
overpopulation in the target area:
In 2015 it was estimated 4,100 animals were received at ASC from the targeted area; in 2016 that number was reduced to just over 2,500; and last year in 2017 the number reported is 2,769. While these numbers show progress is being made in the targeted areas, there is still work to be done in our community in reaching the “more difficult” neighborhoods, where obstacles exist that are preventing spay/neuter of animals. These obstacles include- individuals without transportation, or with work schedules not permitting time in bringing an animal to a vet, or annual incomes that cannot afford sterilization costs, and colonies of free-roaming cats, etc.
The FAF Community Spay/Neuter Grant program that ASF established in 2017 has shown successful efforts, factual numbers, and positive results. The partnership includes six active and dedicated community partners – ASF, ASC, BTS, LCAC, IMON, SGSN. BTS believes that the program will continue to make great strides in reducing shelter intake by transporting and sterilizing animals in targeted Community Centers. By uniquely expanding the grant program to incorporate sterilization of VOCAL dogs, the program will also help compliance with county ordinances.
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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?
Be The Solution offers low-cost vouchers to residents in these areas. Animal Shelter Foundation provides a number of free vouchers each month to ASC to distribute to individuals. However, individuals have to go to the BTS and ASC offices (during office hours) to obtain the vouchers. BTS and ASF provide limited vouchers to both City and County Animal Control Officers to give to families in-need or those that may otherwise have animals that would be relinquished to the shelter. We believe that by bringing spay/neuter transport services directly to the targeted neighborhoods, it will continue to provide a necessary service that more pet owners will take advantage of thus reducing animal intake at ASC. Additionally the grant program allows the partnering organizations to spend time in the neighborhoods and work closer with animal control in dealing with pet related issues and populations of unaltered animals in the targeted area. |
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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:
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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
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What is the criteria used for determining the target area(s) and/or eligibility for this program?
N/a
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Describe whether the targeted area is rural, suburban, or urban. Is it commercial, residential, agricultural, or a designated special land use?
N/a
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Estimated number of cats in the target colony area
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0
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Estimated number that are currently sterilized: 0
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Projected reduction after utilizing the grant: 0
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For TNR program, describe the ability to maintain lifelong care for remaining cats, commitment level of volunteers/organizations, etc.
N/A
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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.) |
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For TNR program, list any groups or government agencies who support this TNR effort:
N/a
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Describe any effort to lessen the negative impact on local wildlife.
N/a
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Describe efforts that will be made to mitigate current or potential nuisance issues.
N/A
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Will the cats be ear-tipped?
Yes
Will the cats be microchipped?
Yes
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Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection
committee understand how this program will operate to achieve its goals.
N/A
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Objectives |
What do you hope to accomplish with these funds (objectives should be specific
and quantifiable)?
The target area for the grant was chosen to decrease the number of intakes at Animal Services Center (ASC). In 2017, approximately 2,769 animals at ASC were recorded from this area. This target area represent 53% of the total animal intake at ASC. By targeting spay/neuter efforts we hope to reduce intakes from that area by 20% or 554 animals. |
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How does this program increase the number of sterilization surgeries above the
existing baseline?
With funding of this grant program and the continued initiatives that the collaborative partners are putting forth for this targeted area, BTS’ goal is to provide an additional 425 spay/neuter surgeries. BTS will also focus more voucher distribution in the targeted area - in order to reach more animals that would otherwise not be sterilized. |
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Methods |
What criteria will you use to determine eligibility for your program?
One of three criteria will have to be met: (1) Eligibility will be geographic, where residents must live in Leon County, south of I-10 and west of Monroe Street or (2) Identified by Animal Control in an area where transportation along with a voucher will make it possible for the spay/neuter to occur and/or (3) a client of VOCAL who is also a Leon County Resident, who currently has a dog tethered in their backyard and must comply with the new Leon County ordinance (Chpt 4, section 4-37). Once the dog is sterilized, VOCAL will install a backyard fence, which will result in removing the tether and complying with the ordinance. |
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How will you advertise the program? Explain how the advertising will reach the target
audience.
Once a community center or local library is selected in the target area for a “spay/neuter transportation day”, two-sided yard signs are put up throughout the neighborhoods, a few weeks before the event. These signs advertise Free Spay/Neuter, website, phone number, date & location the transport will occur and the participating partner organizations. Additional promotional materials will include posters, flyers, and postings on website and facebook to reach the broadest portion of the targeted areas letting them know the program is occurring.
People then call the phone number on the yard signs and the Program Coordinator explains the program, and lists them & their pet on the RSVP list for the upcoming transport. ASF has done a wonderful job creating the necessary forms, files, spreadsheets and materials to fully track and efficiently coordinate these transports and surgeries. ASF has graciously offered to share these established materials with BTS for a smooth transition of the program. A Program Coordinator (funded thru a separate grant) returns calls,answers questions, sends confirmation emails, arranges for program paperwork to be signed, provides animal carriers the day of transport, and follows-up with all participating organizations and pet owners to make sure each transport is handled effectively and handles any situations that may arise before, during and after the transport.
Additionally, the six program partners hold grass-roots events at local community centers in the targeted area to provide additional information and share resources available to pet owners i.e. monthly rabies vaccination clinics at ASC, medical care & low-cost vaccinations, pet food banks, TNR initiatives etc.
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How will you address barriers to full use of the program such as transportation,
illiteracy, and cultural hurdles?
Providing transportation of the animals for spay/neuter surgeries has been one major key-element for its success. One of the program partners - the South Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic has been invaluable in providing these services and they are excited about continuing the program if the grant is funded. (see attached confirmation letter)
Additionally, we work towards building community trust and addressing some of the illiteracy and cultural hurdles through the events held at the community centers and through Animal Control efforts.
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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 South Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic will use their transport van for the monthly transports. The vehicle is a state-of-the-art van, equipped for transport of animals. The van and SGSN staff and volunteers are insured.
The Program Coordinator for the current ASF Community Spay Neuter program has agreed to continue working on the program if the grant is funded. The funding to pay for this position is provided through a separate grant and continuation of this specific funding has been approved for 2018 & 2019 (if the FAF spay/neuter grant is funded). The Program Coordinator and ASF volunteers have established an organized system for the monthly transports: pre, during, and post responsibilities and program materials including liability releases. The animals are required to be in a kennel which is strapped-in for transport.
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Veterinary Services |
What arrangements have you made with veterinarians to perform the surgeries?
The majority of the transport grant spay/neuter surgeries will be done at the South Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic. Additional program surgeries will be done with local veterinary clinics that are established partners with BTS .
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Veterinary Practices
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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.
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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.
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If necessary, please explain the procedures and fees described above:
BTS agrees to incur the expense of pain medications and fluids- when needed. Microchips will be supplied & donated by ASC, and the cost of rabies vaccinations will be donated by ASF.
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Is this a voucher program?
Yes
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If so, how will you assure compliance with the program?
Compliance for the BTS voucher program is established by existing forms, spreadsheets & reports- forms that will also be used for the grant program. We review these materials throughout the month and have immediate access to the Program Coordinator, Clinics and Clients if information is needed.
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For your voucher program, how have you determined the capacity of the veterinarians listed above to handle the projected capacity?
It is estimated that each monthly transport will have 32 animals to be sterilized. The majority of the program surgeries will be done by South Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic and they have agreed to continue to provide the same level of care & quantity of services. Any additional program surgeries will be done by the other BTS partner veterinary clinics.
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Will you have the ability to report the number of vouchers issued and the percentage that result in S/N surgeries?
Yes – BTS has an existing database that tracks our spay/neuter voucher program including voucher #, dates, clinic used, dog/cat, male/female, co-pays, voucher paid. We will add an additional page to track the grant program vouchers for accurate results and redemption rates.
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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?
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Please list them and detail their level of involvement with the proposed effort.
| Animal Shelter Foundation | Assistance in promoting the transport program and providing established program materials and information in order to facilitate a smooth transition of the grant program to continue. ASF has also graciously agreed to cover the expense for rabies vaccinations for the transport animals. |
| City of Tallahassee's Animal Services Center | Assistance in promoting the transport program, providing some carriers used in the transports, statistical information regarding animal intakes, and identifying areas/individuals in need of the program’s services. ASC has also graciously agreed to donate microchips for the transport animals. |
| Leon County Animal Control | Assistance in promoting the transport program, Coordinating Community Center events & outreach, providing ACO’s as needed for loading/unloading for transports, and identifying areas/individuals in need of the program’s services. |
| Voices of Chance Animal League | Assistance in promoting the transport program and designating a specific number of VOCAL dogs for the monthly transport. |
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Other Information |
Provide any additional information that will help the grant selection committee
understand how the program will operate to achieve its goals.
BTS works closely with Tallahassee Animal Services Center, Leon County Animal Control, Animal Shelter Foundation, South Georgia Spay Neuter Clinic, It’s Meow or Never and Voices of Chance Animal League. We will continue to work well together to ensure this program is a success for our community and the animals. |
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Budget |
Total number of sterilization surgeries projected:
Cats:
200
Dogs: 225
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Total budget requested (Budget should not exceed $25,000):
$25,000.00
Average cost/surgery projected:
$59.00
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Describe any expenses that are not included in the grant and how they will be paid for (for example, vaccines, microchipping, ear notching, etc.):
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Describe any other funding sources for this program, i.e. other grants, targeted fundraising efforts, budget allocation, etc.
BTS will create a fundraising project in our community to bring awareness of how the grant program and partnerships are helping local animals. This fundraising effort will help off-set grant program expenses.
The Phipps Family Foundation has agreed to cover the cost for the part-time Program Coordinator for 2018-2019 if the grant is funded.
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What percent of the total cost of the program would this projected grant cover?
44%
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Timeline |
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All projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding. |
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Projected start date:
08/15/18/
Projected end date:
07/31/19 |
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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. |
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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.
Be The Solution is committed to continue increasing fundraising and grant efforts in order to provide discounted spay/neuter vouchers in the Tallahassee area. We are proud that our program has been extremely successful throughout the past 10 years and has helped reduce the number of animal intakes and euthanasia at the City's Animal Services Center. Our strategy is to continue building/maintaining strong partnerships with the veterinary community, local businesses and animal welfare organizations so we we can continue accomplishing our mission - where every pet will one-day be a wanted and loved pet! |
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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.
BTS will promote the Florida Animal Friend license plate through our website, social media, billboards, newsletter, flyers and the vouchers themselves. We also have the FAF brochures available at our thrift shop "The Fix"! |
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