Rob interviewed Cindy Foster and Bo Pollard of the GA Animal Project.
What does the Georgia Animal Project do?
We are a non-profit spay and neuter facility. Our goal is to keep
dog and cat populations as well as euthanasia rates down. I went to a
conference a long time ago and we talked about how high the levels of
euthanasia are in Georgia. Twenty years later at the same conference we were
still talking about the same thing. This was an 'a-ha' moment for me. I had to
do something about this. There is a 65% euthanasia rate for cats going into
shelters in GA. Prevention and education are the keys to doing something about
this.
What would you like people to know about you?
Our goal is to make sure that we don't have a surplus of animals
in the community. We serve customers from all over and try to keep the barriers
to people wanting to come here limited. When we created the GAP we wanted it to
be a good feeling clinic with a warm atmosphere. Appointments are required. We
started in 2006 in a small warehouse room and saw 250 animals a year. Now in
our new facility we see 4500 animals a year. Our challenge is the need to
expand, given the overwhelming need for low cost spay and neuter.
How many volunteers do you have?
We use volunteers for special events but need trained staff for
our work. The Grey Project is part of our volunteer network.
Do you spay and neuter more
dogs or cats and about how many?
55% cats, 45% dogs. About 300-500 combined per month. Cats can
reproduce at an alarming rate.
How did the Georgia Animal
Project start?
We started in 2006 in a small warehouse. If anyone is interested in starting a spay and neuter clinic we can definitely provide help with a business model and advice.
Do you have a favorite
story to tell?
When we decided to start the GAP we just took the first step and
it just grew organically from there. We just took action. The Humane Alliance
of SC said we wouldn't make it on our business model but we went ahead and
proved them wrong. It worries us that people are discouraged listening to
advice like that. A small rural clinic does not need the business model of a
central city model. If you live in a rural area and have a little funding the
GAP will encourage and help you to just go for it! Organizational focus is
important. A spay and neuter facility must be just that - spay and neuter
exclusively.
What advice do you have for me, and how can I and the community help you?
Keep going. Spread the word. We always need donations for example: paper towels, unscented bleach, gallons of distilled water, unscented 13 and 30 gallon trash bags, Seventh Generation sanitizing wipes, notebooks, office supplies etc. More information can be found on our website: www.theanimalproject.org