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Budget and Planning
Building and Equipment
Staff and the Board of Directors
Community Relations
Standard Operating Procedure and Medical Protocol
Transport
NSNRT Training Program
Application Process
Question: What do I need to do to open a high volume, low cost spay/neuter clinic?
Answer: The first step is to complete the NSNRT application.
Q: How long is it going to take to open?
A: The average start up time has been 8 months.
Q: Do we have to be a 501(c)3?
A: Yes.
Q: Do we need to provide you with our latest financials?
A: Yes, this is part of the application process.
Q: Can we visit?
A: You are welcome to visit the clinic. Please understand that we have many visitors and a tight schedule, therefore, an appointment will be necessary. We also prefer to have you visit after you have completed your application, so that we can have a more thorough conversation about your next steps.
Q: Can we have a copy of your video?
A: Videos are available for a donation of $25.00. Please contact marianneluft@yahoo.com for more information.
Q: Do you assist groups that already have a spay/neuter clinic?
A: Yes. Consultation services are available to pre existing spay/neuter clinics.
Q: How do you select groups to work with?
A: They need to be an established group with a successful history of accomplishing their goals as well as the existence of, or capability of forming, a coalition with other animal welfare groups in their area. They should also have a supportive board of directors and a strong leader.
Q: Is it ok if I call first to talk?
A: You should complete the application first to determine if this model suits your region.
Q: Are there other models available?
A: Yes, there are many models available. Please go to Spay USA and Imagine Humane for more information.
Budget and Planning
Q: How much money do we have to start?
A: You will need approximately $120,000 to open a clinic.
Q: How did you raise the money to start your clinic?
A: We had an angel. Other options include: Grant writing and fundraising. You can find additional information on securing funding here.
Q: How much money do you have to raise per year? Where does it come from?
A: Approximately 4-5% of the budget has to be raised per year and you can primarily do this through grants. Fundraising is very beneficial, and very successful.
Q: Can we receive a copy of your budget?
A: You can find a sample budget here.
Q: How many surgeries do we have to perform?
A: A minimum of 25 surgeries per day, 5 days per week, 48 weeks per year.
Q: How many surgeries per day should a spay/neuter veterinarian be able to perform?
A: A spay/neuter veterinarian should be able to comfortably perform 35 surgeries per day.
Q: Do our surgical fees need to be the same as yours?
A: No, but your budget will be based on your fees.
Building and Equipment
Q: What type of building do we need, or should we build?
A: We recommend you use what is available.
Q: How many square feet do we need in our building?
A: A minimum of 1,500 square feet.
Q: Can you evaluate the space we have available?
A: If you meet the qualifications to duplicate the model, we will offer to design your floorplan for you.
Q: What equipment do we need?
A: You can find a list of equipment and supplies here. This equipment has been selected to best serve your budget, and the NSNRT has secured very good prices on many of the items. If you are selected as a duplicate clinic site, the NSNRT will offer to place your entire equipment order for you.
Q: Can we order equipment other than what is identified on your list?
A: Yes, but please understand that due to time constraints, the NSNRT will order either the entire equipment list or you will need to order the entire list on your own.
Q: How many cages do we need?
A: Specifics of setup are provided after you are accepted into the program.
Staff and the Board of Directors
Q: How many staff members do we need to begin?
A: To start, you will need two assistants, one veterinarian, one director and one office assistant. We recommend cross training all of your employees.
Q: Do I have to hire my staff in advance?
A: You need to secure your veterinarian and executive director one month prior to your opening date. You need to secure the rest of your staff at least one week prior to your opening so that they can attend the week of training in Asheville.
Q: Where do we find a vet?
A: Begin your search with your local animal welfare organizations. They are the best source for identifying veterinarians in your region that are sympathetic to the mission. Listings may also be placed in JAVMA, Shelter Vet, HSUS, ASPCA, AHA, and state medical associations and regional associations.
Q: Do we have to have our own veterinarian?
A: You will want to employ a full time veterinarian for your program.
Q: Is it premature to advertise for a veterinarian before we have a building, money or equipment?
A: No, sometimes this is the limiting factor. Starting early is the best way to secure a veterinarian in the proper amount of time.
Q: How many hours per day do the veterinarians work?
A: The veterinarians typically work 8 hours.
Q: Do you pay market rate veterinarian wages?
A: We pay a comparable wage for an associate veterinarian in our area.
Q: Who owns the practice?
A: You must contact your state veterinary board to determine if your state requires that the veterinary practice be owned by a veterinarian.
Q: Will you hire the staff for us?
A: We will participate in the interview process if you prefer.
Q: Will you manage the clinic for us?
A: No.
Q: What role does the Board of Directors play?
A: Your Board of Directors needs to assist in fundraising and setting policies for the organization. Board members should not micro-manage the clinic.
Community Relations
Q: Should we tell the pivate practice veterinarians in our community that we are opening a clinic?
A: Yes, very early on in the planning stages to avoid rumors.
Q: Should we provide a wellness program?
A: No. Part of the reason this model has been successful is because we have good relationships with community veterinarians. We have met with many local veterinary associations: their biggest concern is that we will eventually include a wellness program in our clinic.
Q: Why don’t we provide a wellness program?
A: Screening, ethics, and fair competition. We have developed good relationships with the veterinarians in our community, primarily because our sole mission is spay/neuter. They do not feel as threatened because we are not including regular vaccines, heartworm preventative, flea control, etc. The private veterinarians are integral to the ongoing health care of our patients. In addition we require the assistance of a full service veterinary hospital in providing such services as radiology, laboratory, extended hospitalization, etc.
Q: Can clients come back to the clinic for boosters?
A: Our program is designed to have the patient visit us one time only.
Q: Why don’t you screen your clients for low income?
A: We do target the areas with the largest stray intake numbers. We do not screen because the surveys we perform in each location consistently show that we reach the individuals most in need.
Q: Do we have to work with all the groups in our community?
A: No, but you do have to invite them to participate.
Q: How do I build a coalition?
A: There are many resources you can find at www.imageinehumane.org
Standard Operating Procedure and Medical Protocol
Q: Can we receive a copy of your training manual/SOP?
A: The Humane Alliance Training and Operations Manual can be downloaded here.
Q: Could you please send us a copy of your admission forms?
A: Copies of our admission forms are included in the Manual. After you are accepted into the NSNRT program, we will also provide you with editable versions of all of our forms.
Q: Do you practice early age spay/neuter?
A: Yes, pediatric spay/neuter is a key element to achieving high volume and reducing shelter intake.
Q: Do you train veterinarians in early age spay/neuter not associated with duplicating the model?
A: Yes - a training fee is involved.
Q: Why do you keep your patients overnight?
A: Due to the way our transport program is organized, an overnight stay is required to maximize our patients’ health and safety. The majority of our public clients have a tendency to allow their animals to run at large. An overnight stay assures us that the healing process begins properly.
Transport
Q: Do we have to transport? Do we need a van to start?
A: If you have a population of 250,000 or greater within your immediate community, you may not need to transport at all, or you may decide to transport only to specific neighborhoods in need. Some groups have had great success with an urban transport program. If you have a combined population of 250,000 only within a 90-mile radius of the proposed clinic site, you will need to transport.
Q: How does the transport system work?
A: Please visit the Imagine Humane website for details about our transport system at: Imagine Humane.
NSNRT Training Program
Q: Who pays for the NSNRT training team’s salaries?
A: For a limited time, Humane Alliance has secured funding to cover the cost of the training team.
Q: What else are we responsible for paying for?
A: Please check out the first page of the NSNRT application for full details of your responsibilities.
Q: Is the training done at your facility, or ours?
A: The first week of training will occur at the Humane Alliance clinic. The second and third week of training will occur at your facility upon opening.
Q: Does our veterinarian have to have an NC license for training at your facility?
A: Yes. Please ask your veterinarian to visit the NC Veterinary Board website for information on obtaining a temporary license.
Q: When can we schedule our training?
A: Please contact us to schedule your training after your equipment order has been placed. This requires you to have your facility ready, and is typically about eight weeks prior to your opening date.