I spent most of today at a spay/neuter clinic hosted by Philly Ferals at the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association (PACCA). I came with two cats to be neutered--a female kitten we're fostering and an adult male stray I'd captured last night--fully expecting to drop them off and pick them up when their surgery was complete. Instead I was rather gently pulled into assisting with the clinic's activities and stayed almost the entire day. I LOVED IT!!!
I got to see the entire process, from the registration and FIV/FELV testing of the cats to their admission to surgery, surgical prep, vaccination/eartipping and recovery. Had I wanted to, I could literally have observed the surgical procedures. I watched and learned how professionals handle scared and recalcitrant ferals and gained new contacts (as well as actually meeting previous online contacts) within the Philadelphia feral cat management community.
Needless to say, as of today I'm a volunteer, and at the next clinic I will observe some of the surgeries. One of the difficulties in setting up clinics is a shortage of technical personnel (veterinary students are often used but the demands of their schooling limits their participation); I'm considering some distance-learning programs for veterinary assistant, and this will be a great hands-on supplement....
I got to see the entire process, from the registration and FIV/FELV testing of the cats to their admission to surgery, surgical prep, vaccination/eartipping and recovery. Had I wanted to, I could literally have observed the surgical procedures. I watched and learned how professionals handle scared and recalcitrant ferals and gained new contacts (as well as actually meeting previous online contacts) within the Philadelphia feral cat management community.
Needless to say, as of today I'm a volunteer, and at the next clinic I will observe some of the surgeries. One of the difficulties in setting up clinics is a shortage of technical personnel (veterinary students are often used but the demands of their schooling limits their participation); I'm considering some distance-learning programs for veterinary assistant, and this will be a great hands-on supplement....