SHELTER SPOTLIGHT

Thinking Big in North Carolina

The Humane Alliance proves attitude is everything

By Julie Morris

How's this for a success story? In less than 10 years of operation, the Humane Alliance of Western North Carolina Spay/Neuter clinic has spayed or neutered nearly 100,000 companion animals. That is a bite out of the pet overpopulation problem anyone familiar with the crisis can appreciate. Not surprisingly, this local effort has become a national model. And now that the clinic has partnered with more than 30 organizations in an 18-county region of western North Carolina, its work has greater impact than ever.

A Lofty Goal

The Humane Alliance follows one simple, but essential credo: “Fundamental to all preventive work is sterilization. Neutering is the best defense against all sources of shelter overpopulation.” Their goal is to help implement widespread spay/neuter programs across the United States. “If we can strategically place high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics across the country,” says HA executive director Quita Mazzina, “we can solve the pet overpopulation problem.”

In 2000, financial burdens almost closed the clinic's doors. High volume-plus extreme dedication-was the solution. HA administrators analyzed their costs and the number of surgeries needed to cover them. Ninety-two percent of the clinic's clients cite cost as a factor in the decision to neuter their pets. The HA knew how much there area clientele could reasonably afford, and respected that limit. The clinic charges $42.50 per spay/neuter surgery; a staff of 12, including three veterinarians, performs an average of 65 sterilizations each day. The HA has proved that maximizing the number of surgeries performed can effectively meet the financial needs of both clinic and client.

Teamwork

Medical director Dr. Karla Brestle credits the clinic's success to its staff and partner organizations. The staff is “beyond compare,” she enthuses, “their dedication and skills are outstanding.” She adds that the clinic's ability to extend services to hard-to-reach people is “entirely because of our partner organizations.”

Seventy percent of the pets spayed or neutered at the clinic are delivered through a free transport system called the Regional Response Team. Volunteer transport coordinators schedule surgical appointments up to one month ahead of time. Carol Nelson, of an organization called Save the Animals, coordinates pickups from Winston-Salem, the farthest transport site from the clinic. Up to 100 animals are picked up at a time and brought back to the HA, in Asheville, where they are examined, prepped for surgery, spayed/neutered and kept overnight for recovery. An average week receives 250 animals from eight to 10 transport groups. In addition, the HA keeps an average of 20 public appointments daily.

Community Coordination

The HA, says Mazzina, is “privileged to work with supportive local veterinarians who recognize the value of the service we provide,” and says that their participation in a free post-operative exam program is invaluable to the clinic. The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association also lauds the efforts of the HA.

These relationships took time to develop-the HA had to assure the veterinary community that they weren't there to compete. Eighty-five percent of their clients have never taken their pets to a veterinarian, and 30 percent of their mature female patients are pregnant. Now, 10 percent of the HA's clients are local veterinary referrals.

The Asheville Humane Society has decreased its stray intake by 50 percent since the HA opened, and additional decreases have been seen throughout the entire region of western North Carolina.

Not satisfied to rest on their laurels, the HA hosted a national conference, “How to Open a High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic,” in September 2003. In the future, the group will also offer a comprehensive training program for other organizations.

Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best-and those who dare to state a lofty goal aloud may just have the best shot at achieving it. We congratulate the HA, and wish them continued success.