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Here is my point re allocation of resources; there are long term payoffs and short term.
Assuming ANY of Boks numbers are accurate, adoptions increased 2,600 since prior to when he started. That is significant. Fosters are up 800, that is significant. Died in shelter is up 600; that is significant.
These are short term gains/losses.
But what about TNR?
LAAS has had active spay/neuter programs for several years now with some mild reduction in impounds. However, we also speculate that Boks is refusing some animals and not taking ferals in at all. This could account for all the animals not taken in rather than spay/neuter.
Therefore if you put another $500,000 into TNR or spay/neuter to rescue groups, how many fewer will be impounded and how many fewer will die?
If you put $500,000 into spay neuter programs, how much will that drop impounds?
We'll never know how much impound numbers are corrupted by policies that refuse animals.
Everyone agrees TNR and spay/neuter are where its at, but this is just speculation. Studies of TNR are inconclusive. The effect of spay/neuter certifcates and those done in the shelter also are not knowable.
So long term we don't know what will reduce impounds and eithanasia.
Long term we do not know the impact of mandatory spay/neuter either.
Short term, we do: adoptions; fosters.
I am just saying money spent short term may have a big effect two years from now, but we don't know. Money given to rescues may have a big impact two years from now.
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If you measure the success of a program in the short term rather than the long, thinks like storefront adoption centers, better advertsing and PR will probably have the biggest impact.
4 comments:
When San Bernardino County installed a spay/neuter program for county residents, within the first four years the number of impounded dogs went down over 40% with cats remaining about the same before the program. Considering the County was experiencing a rapid growth rate during this time, the figures are even more amazing. Social Services played a role in the program by distributing spay/neuter info with the welfare checks and at the food stamps office. This hit a targeted population that can't afford spay/neuter as a rule. Also this program was part of an overall umbrella that covered the Inland Empire and gave people one phone number to call for any and all programs on spay/neuter in their area. Volunteers from the coalition POPCO screened callers and referred them to the correct agency for help. This program won a national award and has been copied by other cities and Riverside County. Just in San Bernardino 76 vets participated in accepting the county vouchers for spay/neuter. Just to give you an idea of how effective a good program can be.
Wow (to the previous comment)! San Bernardino County sure has it going on! Let's get a competent GM and model ourselves after their successful program. I know Boks' ego is too big to take advice from anyone else, but maybe he'll do it and act like it was his idea. Either way, let's get it done!
www.SpayDayLA.com
Spay and neuter programs are essential for a reduction in intakes and euthanasia. We've found that charging no more than $20 is essential and offering it free results in an overwhelming number of participants. Community outreach, easy to participate in s/n programs and free or very low cost (even for those who CAN afford it) are all needed for a successful program. This event is only one event, but it is privately funded and will reach thousands and thousands of people and will prevent even more unwanted births.
To explain further, POPCO (Pet Overpopulation Coalition) in the Inland Empire is a large organization comprised of almost all muncipal and nonprofit agencies in the IE. Also individuals participate as members of POPCO. POPCO provides volunteers to man phones thus taking away the labor intensive work from animal control of talking to people about spay/neuter, etc. When someone calls animal control with questions, etc. about spay/neuter, vets, etc., they are referred to POPCO. It has been a win win situation for all involved. Rescues that may not have room to take the animals from the shelters can contribute in this manner and help keep the animals from coming into the shelters.
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