The Cat Network (CN) -- How to Start a Voucher Program
The Cat Network, Inc. (CN) is a 501(c)3, Florida not-for-profit corporation dedicated to reducing cat overpopulation by educating the public about the need to sterilize their pets and strays; providing access to low-cost spay/neuter services for stray, homeless and abandoned cats; and helping members in their efforts to place adoptable cats in loving homes.
CN’s low-cost spay/neuter program is made possible by the generosity of local veterinarians who agree to accept our certificates in exchange for sterilizing, ear tipping and giving a rabies vaccination. CN provides the rabies vaccine to ensure each animal receives a 3-year formula. The clinic then submits the certificates to CN for payment. Currently Cat Network pays $25 for each certificate, plus an additional $20 if the animal was pregnant.
CN screens potential participants to ensure the animals are stray, feral or abandoned; our program may not be used for owned pets. To participate in our program, individuals must join Cat Network (membership fees begin at $10) and agree to abide by our requirements. Members purchase certificates for a flat fee, currently $25 each, with CN offering additional free certificates as finances permit. We have granted a third certificate for free with each two purchased for the past several years. All cats and kittens must have their ear tipped unless the member guarantees they will be fostered indoors until a permanent indoor home may be found.
The CN spay/neuter program began with one vet clinic in 1995, and has grown to over 40 participating clinics. As the veterinary community has become familiar with our organization, additional clinics have agreed to accept our certificates. Members talk with their veterinarians about their involvement with Cat Network, and ask the vet to consider joining our program. CN then sends a letter explaining the program and formally inviting the vet to join (see sample letter, ear tip information and confirmation of participation form).
Veterinarians who participate in the CN spay/neuter program frequently increase their business due to referrals from CN adoptions, as well as relationships developed with CN rescuers. Many of our vets work closely with our members, and occasionally offer their services at a discount or free of charge, but our members are requested to never ask for discounts. CN uses every opportunity to acknowledge and thank our participating veterinarians, and strives to maintain a positive working relationship with the entire veterinary community, not just our participating clinics.
If you are considering creating a voucher program in your area, gather information on current low-cost spay/neuter services that are available (if any). Talk with the veterinarians with whom you have an existing relationship, and ask these vets if they would be willing to consider performing a limited number of surgeries at a similar cost for stray, feral and abandoned animals. Explain what you are trying to accomplish (humanely reducing the population of unwanted animals through sterilization), and assure them you will not compete with them for private clients. Consider excluding owned pets; this has been a critical component of our success.
If you intend to promote trap-neuter-return, offer to provide information and training on handling feral cats. Explain that working with cats in traps is extremely safe, and that feral animals typically never need to be handled unless they are unconscious. Consider providing trap isolators (available at www.livetrap.com) to make it easier to sedate animals while they are in the trap.
Don’t be upset if veterinarians decline to join your program at first. Always behave professionally, and strive to always maintain a positive relationship with the vets in your community; your program will grow over time.
Organization letterhead
Date
Dr.
Clinic
Address
City, State zip
Dear Dr.:
“Organization name” is a 501(c)3, “State” not-for-profit corporation dedicated to reducing cat overpopulation by educating the public about the need to sterilize their pets; spaying and neutering stray, homeless and abandoned cats; and placing adoptable cats in loving homes.
In order to accomplish our objective of humanely reducing the stray cat population, we rely on the generous support of our veterinary community. Participating veterinarians accept certificates to sterilize, ear tip and if the animal is 16 weeks or older to give a 3-year rabies vaccination to stray, feral and abandoned cats. “Organization name” will provide the rabies vaccine to the clinics. Upon submitting these certificates to “Organization name”, the veterinarian is reimbursed $25 for the surgery. If a cat is pregnant, we will reimburse the clinic an additional $20.
All cats that will be released to an outside location must also have the “tip” of the left ear marked for identification purposes. Enclosed is a drawing of an "ear tipping." Unless otherwise stated when the animal is dropped off, please tip the ear of all “Organization name” surgeries. Dissolvable sutures should be used for all “Organization name” surgeries since many of these animals are wild and cannot be brought back for suture removal.
To receive reimbursement, we ask the clinic to indicate the clinic name (and “pregnant” if applicable) on each certificate, and mail it to “Organization name”. Any additional requested services and charges are the individual responsibility of the “Organization name” member who brings in the animal.
Dr. Name Page 2
“Organization name” will screen program participants and exclude personal, owned pets. We will provide/sell certificates to be used for qualified stray, feral and abandoned animals, and instruct members to schedule appointments in advance, informing the office they will be using a “Organization name” certificate. Members should indicate whether the animal’s ear should be tipped because it will be returned to live outdoors. If the animal will be fostered for future adoption, the member will inform the clinic that the ear should not be tipped.
Joint efforts to contain the number of homeless cats have already shown major successes in other cities. The Feral Cat Coalition in San Diego, California has had tremendous success in controlling the stray cat population and reducing the number of animals that are euthanized.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss our program, please don’t hesitate to call me at xxx/xxx-xxxx.
Enclosed is a Confirmation of Participation form. If you would like to participate in our program, please complete the form and fax or mail it back as indicated on the top of the form. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Name
Title
Organization
Enclosures: Ear Tipping Form
Confirmation of Participation
*We are a not-for-profit organization - donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law*
Organization letterhead
EAR TIPPING VETERINARIAN INFORMATION:
Unless the “Organization Name” member is fostering a rescued cat and will guarantee the animal will be kept inside for the remainder of its life, ear tipping is mandatory when using a “organization name” certificate. To identify and protect sterilized animals, the left ear of feral/stray cats will be slightly “tipped” at the time of surgery while the cat is anesthetized. The procedure doesn’t cause any pain to the cat and is a helpful tool to prevent recapture, transportation, anesthetization and potential surgery on previously sterilized cats. This form of identification is used all over the United States. In South Florida, some local trappers refuse to take cats with tipped ears and Animal Control will question euthanizing these animals.
The ear tip is completed while the animal is under anesthesia for sterilization. Approximately 1/8” – 1/4" of the left ear is removed. There are many different techniques for accomplishing this procedure, but we have had tremendous success (clean ear tips, minimal bleeding and minimal disfigurement) using the following procedure:
· Place a hemostat at the tip of the ear, leaving the tissue to be removed exposed.
· Trim this tissue using a scalpel or scissors, and seal the edge using a silver nitrate stick or similar product.
· Leave the hemostat in place for 1-2 minutes to allow the blood to coagulate and prevent excessive pressure on the freshly sealed incision.
· Remove the hemostat and verify bleeding has stopped. Retouch any bleeding areas with silver nitrate.