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FOCUS ON: Spay & Neuter
February 2024
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February Co-Founder's Note:
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Focus On: Spay & Neuter
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We’ve just finished celebrating spay/neuter awareness month, but for most shelters and rescues spay/neuter awareness is an everyday challenge. While often the hurdle is funding, the bigger hurdle is too often access. Even as the pandemic recedes, its impact has continued to leave us all hustling to catch up.
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Puppy production was ramped up to meet the demand and while the demand for pandemic puppies has waned, the supply continues to flow (that’s the thing about multiplication…). Increasing access, availability, and affordability is critical. I wrote about a few novel ideas for funding and access in a recent post.
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We are living in challenging times, and they call for new solutions. The fact that dog euthanizations surpassed cat euthanizations for the first time in recorded history speaks to the success of TNR and community cat programs. While we can’t TNR dogs, we can try new ways of saving them. Spay and neuter is a critical piece of the puzzle, but we can’t keep doing what we’ve been doing and hope for the best. Too many animals are dying while we do.
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I hope this issue presents new ideas that help, but more than anything, I hope it continues a conversation that we all need to be a part of—how do we create a system that saves every saveable dog?
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Until Each One Has A Home,
Cara Achterberg
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The Most Resourceful Shelter Director I Know
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I’m pretty sure Maureen, the director of Anson County Animal Shelter in Polkton, North Carolina (about an hour east of Charlotte) is the most resourceful shelter director I know. Between applying for grants, appealing to local businesses, picking up the unused donuts at Krispy Kreme (for dog treats), and flat-out scavenging, she will find a way to get the resources …
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Social Media Content Creators Needed!
Who Will Let The Dogs Out? is on the lookout for dedicated individuals to join our team as Volunteer Social Media Content Creators. As a crucial part of our mission to raise awareness and resources, you'll play a vital role in engaging our audience and fostering growth. Responsibilities include:
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- Producing high-quality, original content across various platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
- Collaborating with photographers and videographers, staying informed about social media trends, and optimizing content performance are key aspects of the role.
We are seeking individuals with a creative mindset, strong communication skills, proficiency in social media platforms, and a commitment to supporting our mission.
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If you're interested in contributing your skills to make a positive impact as part of our team, please click the "Get Involved" link below.
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Virtual Volunteer Shelter Liaison Opportunity
Would you like to help raise awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who champion their cause? As a Shelter Liaison you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Shelter Liaisons play a crucial role in virtually supporting our shelter partners. As a Shelter Liaison, you will be monitoring our shelter partners' posts on social media and sharing their news, ideas, and needs.
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If you're ready to be part of our team, click the “Get Involved” link below or visit our website to take the first step!
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From the Resource Guide
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Shelters Can Raise Awareness Through Community Education
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Spaying and neutering are the best ways to prevent pet overpopulation and relieve the pressure on overcrowded shelters and rescues. Education plays a big role in getting this done. A great first step is to understand why local pet owners don’t want to have their pets fixed. For example, the Animal Harbor Animal Shelter, TN posted a Q&A on social media to get honest feedback from the public. Shelters can address any myths surrounding spaying and neutering in follow-up posts.
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Along with educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering, shelters can provide a valuable service by providing a list of veterinary clinics or organizations offering reduced-fee spay/neuter services in the community.
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Tips for Shelter Partners
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Upcoming Grant Opportunities:
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LAST DAY to Register for the Maddie's Fund
Open Arms Challenge
The Open Arms Challenge is an opportunity for organizations to pilot a new practice or expand upon a current program that has already been started.
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The goal of this Challenge is to increase inclusivity and provide a welcoming environment for all staff (paid and unpaid) and community members; and keeping pets with people and animals in their communities when possible.
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The PEDIGREE Foundation Annual Grant Cycle Open March 1
We're so proud that we've awarded over $12 million in grant funding since our founding in 2008 - and in 2024, we plan to provide $1 million more!
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Applications for the 2024 grant cycle will open on March 1 and continue through April 14.
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CLICK HERE find more information about the grant process on our website, including guidelines for each grant category and information on past grant recipients.
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