The SPOT program in Brown County, Indiana successfully decreased shelter intake by 38% over 3 years through a low-cost spay/neuter assistance program. The program sterilized over 3000 publicly-owned pets, provided free pet supplies to build trust, and offered trap-neuter-return assistance. Through field runs and delivering supplies, the program established relationships with pet owners in the community. Financially, the program cost $76,265 over 3 years but generated $129,755 in new revenue and $110,982 in shelter savings, becoming self-sustaining.

1. Successful Spay/Neuter Programs in Rural Communities
Jane Weatherford, Brown County Humane Society, Nashville, IN
Contact info: Jane@bchumane.org 812-320-2829
SPOT – Serving Pets Outreach Team
• Low cost spay/neuter assistance
• Free pet supplies – helps build trust with clients
o Food
o Dog houses and enclosures
o Straw
• Training advice
• Trap-Neuter-Return Assistance
Three year results – Wow! It worked – fewer pets & more $$
• Decrease in shelter intake by 38% in 3 years
• Over 3000 public owned pets sterilized
• Provide access to spay/neuter twice a month
• Field runs into the community to deliver supplies
• Program paid for itself!
Fiscal Impact
Shelter Intake Data
1600
SPOT
2010
1400
SPOT
$76,265
Program Cost
1200
1000
Cats
Dogs
800
Shelter
Savings
600
$57,492
(252 fewer
cats & 81
fewer dogs)
2011
2012
$72,008
$49,553
$59,184
(279 fewer cats
& 45 fewer
dogs)
$86,940
(340 fewer cats
& 203 fewer
dogs)
400
New Revenue $129,755
$145,042
$49,665
200
Benefit
$110,982
$132,218
$87,052
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
38 % decrease in Shelter intake 2009:2012.
Prior to SPOT
• 4X more pets coming into the shelter than the national average
• Great “Out Alive” rate – 95%
• Shelter was overcrowded
• Not financially feasible to continue
SPOT – getting started
• Supported by local philanthropist – matching funds challenge
• Solid business plan (reference Peter Marsh book: Replacing Myth with Math)
• Establish relationship with pet owners taking the shelter to them
(reference – Sue Sternberg’s Training Wheels program)

2. Spay/Neuter promotion strategy
• Time sensitive and limited
• Aim at highest population of pets (Pitbulls, Hounds, Feral Cats)
• Once someone calls – negotiate – do NOT lose them
Spay/Neuter advertising
• Flyers throughout the county where low income people frequent
• Word of mouth
• Local paper
• Postcard to every resident
• Website, Facebook, emails
Postcard to All Residents
Cost = $2350
No. Mailed = 10,500
Response = 206 surgeries
Spay/Neuter process
• Dedicated phone line, attended by part time staff
• Schedules surgeries and field runs
• Partner with spay/neuter clinic about 20 miles away
• Clients bring pets to shelter and clinic transports pets to surgery
• Work with local veterinarian
Keys to success
• Build trusting relationships with community
• Advertise in areas appropriate to clientele
• Dedicated project manager
• Great volunteers
• Data