We have two scheduled spay/neuter clinics for stray/feral cats here--one is one the second Sunday of each month at PACCA, the second is two weeks later at the SPCA. Today was our PACCA clinic day, and we spayed/neutered 77 cats. The vet at the SPCA has told us he wants to do at least 100 (last time we did 110). Previously our average was 50-60 cats per clinic. In addition to spay/neuter we also offer other services such as immunizations, fostering and, at the SPCA, FIV/FELV testing.
We've got a good solid group of volunteers including vets, vet techs, and laypeople with varying degrees of knowledge. We operate under sometimes difficult and cramped conditions, but all of us recognize that the welfare of the cats comes first no matter what. Yep, we're all in it for the pussy.
This doesn't mean things won't go wrong. That's to be expected when dealing with medical care, especially for stray and feral animals. We lost two cats today. One was an older cat who recovered normally but died after being taken home--as we do not do autopsies we'll never know why it died. The other was a five-day-old kitten that was too weak to be fed and was already half-dead--still heartbreaking. But at every clinic I do see the same people; they suck it up and cowboy on. I'm approaching my own anniversary in October at a recovery worker and expect to be cross-trained as an OR assistant.
I've seen a steady improvement in our capabilities, and in my own as well. Our recovery area has gone from blankets on the floor to tables with heating pads. I, with no medical background, have learned to observe for complications and administer injections and fluids. And I've had the opportunity to teach the same to other volunteers.
TNR is taking off in Philadelphia, and our clinics are helping it do so. I'm beat, I've been on my feet since 9 this morning, and I'm gonna make this an early night. I'll report on the next clinic....
We've got a good solid group of volunteers including vets, vet techs, and laypeople with varying degrees of knowledge. We operate under sometimes difficult and cramped conditions, but all of us recognize that the welfare of the cats comes first no matter what. Yep, we're all in it for the pussy.
This doesn't mean things won't go wrong. That's to be expected when dealing with medical care, especially for stray and feral animals. We lost two cats today. One was an older cat who recovered normally but died after being taken home--as we do not do autopsies we'll never know why it died. The other was a five-day-old kitten that was too weak to be fed and was already half-dead--still heartbreaking. But at every clinic I do see the same people; they suck it up and cowboy on. I'm approaching my own anniversary in October at a recovery worker and expect to be cross-trained as an OR assistant.
I've seen a steady improvement in our capabilities, and in my own as well. Our recovery area has gone from blankets on the floor to tables with heating pads. I, with no medical background, have learned to observe for complications and administer injections and fluids. And I've had the opportunity to teach the same to other volunteers.
TNR is taking off in Philadelphia, and our clinics are helping it do so. I'm beat, I've been on my feet since 9 this morning, and I'm gonna make this an early night. I'll report on the next clinic....