The problem of pet overpopulation is
one that reaches almost every community. Despite the work
of devoted animal care workers and volunteers, many healthy
animals are euthanized as their numbers outpace adoption
rates. Communities with limited facilities, funds, medical
and educational resources are in greatest need of assistance
to deal with this ever-expanding crisis.
Remote Area Medical (RAM) was founded in 1985 by Stan
Brock. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization devoted
to providing free medical, dental and veterinary care
to humans and animals in areas of need throughout the
United States and internationally. To date, RAM has provided
over 19 million dollars in free medical care and has treated
over 60,000 animals. The focus of RAM's Veterinary division
is to improve animal health and welfare and to support
the people who care for and depend upon animals for their
livelihood. Their work involves companion animals as well
as livestock, and is accomplished with the support of
hundreds of people including veterinarians, veterinary
technicians and assistants, and countless other volunteers
devoted to animal welfare.
The vision of RAM Veterinary Director, Bruce Langlois
DVM, is a concept to help lower the euthanasia rate of
healthy, adoptable animals throughout the nation. With
the help of Dr. Brenda Kennedy, he has developed this
manual to provide instruction on implementing an intensive
spay/neuter clinic. A goal has been set to spay or neuter
100,000 animals through a series of these clinics hosted
throughout the U.S. and other areas in need worldwide.
This program will achieve the desired goal of reducing
pet overpopulation, and will have far-reaching impacts
on many other aspects of animal welfare within the community.
These effects include adoption of altered pets, which
will in turn result in lower pregnancy rates and reduced
strain on limited resources, stronger volunteer and donor
bases, improved media relations, and the creation of alliances
with local veterinarians.
In this manual you will find information on how to implement
a successful RAM spay/neuter clinic. In addition to instruction
on organizing the surgery component of such a clinic,
it also contains information on fund-raising, media coverage,
volunteer recruitment, and adoption events. A key element
to organizing such an event is the involvement of the
local community. Collaboration with local veterinarians,
volunteers, shelter and rescue groups, philanthropic organizations
and local businesses is essential for a successful event,
and a subsequent sustainable adoption program.
RAM Vet is here to provide any assistance you may need.
If you have questions or concerns about anything, you
are encouraged to contact Dr. Bruce Langlois directly.
He can be reached via e-mail at brucelangloisdvm@yahoo.com
or at his office at (616) 897-8484. Dr. Langlois can also
assist you in contacting your local veterinarians. A preparation
period of at least 3 months should be allotted to organize
the event.
It is estimated that 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter
shelters every year and 3 to 4 million of those are euthanized
annually. The goal of this manual is to empower one motivated
individual at each location with the resources he or she
needs to run an efficient and effective spay/neuter clinic
on an annual basis. With the help of RAM, we can wipe
out the unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals
in the United States (and then the world?) in our lifetimes.
The members of RAM are excited to have you as a part of
our team. We have no doubt that your participation will
leave you with a great sense of accomplishment.
The RAM Spay/Neuter Clinic Manual can be obtained by
contacting Dr. Bruce Langlois DVM. Please email him
at brucelangloisdvm@yahoo.com.
In your email, include the following information: Your
Name and contact information, along with the name and
contact information for your organization. Bruce looks
foward to hearing from you.
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