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Volunteer Spotlight
Nikki Gillis
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Nikki volunteered at set-up, trapped cats all the way out in Micanopy, and stayed to the very end on clinic day!
On behalf of Operation Catnip,
Thank you, Nikki!
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Trapper of the Month |
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Lizzie Parsley
 On behalf of Operation Catnip caregivers,Thank you, Lizzie! |
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Lonely Feral Seeks
Cozy Barn/Front Porch in exchange for mouse hunting services:
Several Operation Catnip Graduates that have been displaced are in need of new colonies.
Please let us know if you have room for one more. |
| 352-380-0940 |
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Support OC!
Wear an OC T-shirt!
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Sizes Sm-XXL
Only $20!
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Can't volunteer on Catnip Sundays?
How about trapping?
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Every month we are forced to turn away caregivers and their strays because they are unable to transport their cats to the clinic. We always need volunteers who can set traps and transport cats.
If you are available on Friday and/or Saturday evening before a clinic and have transportation, this is the job for you!
352-380-0940 |
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Operation Catnip's Wish List |
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Dish Detergent
Super Glue
AA Batteries
4mil Plastic drop cloth
Masking Tape
Scissors
Pens and Sharpies
Paper
Office Supplies
Laundry Detergent
Isopropyl alchohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Medical Supplies
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Dear Friends of Feral Cats,
At our monthly clinic for feral cats on Sunday, September 13th, our ambitious volunteers spayed, neutered, and vaccinated 258 of Alachua County's homeless cats in 5 hours!
Here are some stats from the clinic:
Volunteers
13 Veterinarians: Dr. Julie Levy-OC Medical Director, Dr. Karen Schaedel, Dr. Cynda Crawford, Dr. Sarah Kirk, Dr. Elizabeth Jolin, Dr. Fred Schirmer, Dr. Deborah Cottrell, Dr. Jack Gaskin, Dr. Laura Andersen, Dr. Ann Osborne, Dr. Meriam Molstad, and Drs. Nirit Tzipory and Brain DiGangi (student surgeon supervisors).
Vet students: 49
Other volunteers: 39
Total: 88 volunteers!
We had lots of new volunteers this month, thanks to the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2013.
A special thanks to Alexandra Tilton and Bob Blanchard for the pizza; Judy Angly, our food coordinator; and all the anonymous donors who brought food to feed our feral fixing friends.
Operation Catnip would not be possible without its dedicated volunteers!
Cats
258 cats total were spayed or neutered, vaccinated against Rabies, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Feline Leukemia Virus, and received Revolution to prevent fleas, ear mites, intestinal parasites, and heart worms.
141 Females (84 adults, 57 kittems 3-5 months old)
117 Males (71 adults, 46 kittens)
Thats 1.2 females for every male!
18 cats received annual booster vaccines to help keep them healthy and happy. Caregivers may bring Operation Catnip "Graduates" in for free annual boosters.
Operation Catnip thanks all of you that contributed in some way to the September clinic!
Sincerely,
Shaye Olmstead, BA Operation Catnip Manager
No More Homeless Pets, Inc.
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Operation Catnip Changes |
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Effective at October 11th 2009 clinic:
ALL cats sterilized at Operation Catnip must be trapped and released within Alachua County. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Each cat must be accompanied by an Operation Catnip release form signed by the cat caregiver or the property owner or resident of the site where the cat was trapped. If you are transporting for someone else, you cannot sign for them.
All traps must be returned to the trap depot within a week after the clinic and checked out again later for the next clinic. Trappers will not be allowed to hold traps over from month to month.
There will be a new mandatory fee of $10 per cat presented for sterilization payable at the time of admission to the clinic.
Whenever possible, the actual cost of care ($30/cat) should be contributed. Trappers and caregivers are encouraged to gather contributions or to hold fund-raisers for the cats they bring to Catnip.
Why is Operation Catnip Making these changes?
1. The goal of Operation Catnip is to reduce the euthanasia of stray and feral cats at Alachua County Animal Services, and to reduce the population of stray and feral cats in Alachua County. We are happy to help other counties establish their own Trap-Neuter-Return programs, but we are diluting our effectiveness and making it harder to reach our goal when out-of-county cats take the place of the project's intended targets.
2. A signature from the caregiver, property owner, or resident is the best way for us to assure that they understand the requirements and risks of the program and that we do not accidently trap someone's pets.
3. Traps are costly, and every time we have to replace a trap lost in the field, we reduce our resources to provide more spays and neuters.
4. Due to the down economy, many of our funders have been forced to reduce their grants and support to Operation Catnip. Even with our wonderful volunteer vets, techs and support crew, each cat sterilized costs our program $30 in supplies, medications, equipment, insurance and other overhead. In order to continue the project and sustain our lifesaving efforts, we need caregivers to chip in. Asking caregivers to contribute 1/3 of the cost of caring for the cats will allow us to keep on helping Alachua County's forgotten felines.
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| No More Homeless Pets Coalition Update |
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We are pleased to announce that NMHP's long-awaited low-cost spay/neuter clinic is open in its temporary home, the Big Fix Rig! Pet owners and feral cat caregivers throughout the region may bring their animals directly to the Big Fix Rig for low-cost sterilization regardless of county afiliation.
To schedule an appointment for low-cost sterilization of a dog, pet cat or a feral cat call Operation PetSnip at 352-376-6647.
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Thanks to All Our Great Volunteers! |
| Operation Catnip could not run smoothly without our dedicated volunteers. We appreciate all the hard work before, during, and after the clinics. Many dedicated volunteers work all month long to make sure that the big day is perfect.
There are many volunteer postions available for people with all skill sets from all walks of life. Please contribute your skills to the cause today.
If you interested in volunteering for the October 11th clinic, or during the month, please email operationcatnip@nmhp.net or call 352-380-0940 to apply.
We hope to see you in October!
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September OC Trivia Question |
Question: Who developed the first vaccine for Rabies?
Answer: Look for it in our next newsletter!
Our September Tivia Question is in honor of World Rabies Day, September 28th 2009.
For a hint or to learn more, please visit:
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