Our Surgical Initiative

A Critical Partnership

In 2018, with the grant funding of the Kimmel Foundation, we launched a Pilot Surgical Program initiative to reduce surgery costs, in partnership with VCA Animal Hospitals.

VCA Westborough generously provides the surgical space, anesthesia machine, and other necessary materials. Our staff determines surgical needs, works with our vets and the VCA to schedule dates, and organizes volunteers to arrange transportation for up to 20 cats and dogs for each clinic. They also prepare pertinent documents, ready vaccines and other supplies, and assist our veterinarian and her staff before, during, and after surgery.

The clinics have led to our solid partnership with VCA Animal Hospitals and the development of documented best practices. We consistently fill four or six-hour surgical clinics in the most economical way possible.

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REAL IMPACT, MEASURABLE RESULTS

27

Clinics held

127

Dogs spayed and neutered

195

Cats spayed and neutered

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Long-term Impact

Over the course of these clinics, with hundreds of surgeries performed, we have:

  • Adjusted and improved protocols
  • Offered educational opportunities to those interested
  • Reduced the administrative time normally dedicated to spay and neuter surgeries
  • Freed up resources that can be used to meet other shelter needs

The impact on the cats and dogs is clear – the clinics are far less stressful for them than going to a third-party veterinarian. And no longer having to wait for an available spay/neuter appointment means they get to their forever homes faster. It’s been exciting to watch this initiative build to become an effective business practice for us that is positive in every way. We are incredibly grateful to VCA Animal Hospitals for making all of this possible.

Pilot Program Success Stories

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Cali

Cali arrived at the shelter – fatefully – on a Saturday afternoon in need of an emergency c-section. We were able to immediately divert her to one of our clinics happening that very day. She arrived at the clinic almost unresponsive. Our vet partner jumped right into action quite literally saving her life. She then went on to recover in a foster home. After gaining strength – and weight – she found a wonderful forever home.

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Quinn

We performed the program’s first dental procedure on a senior Yorkie named Quinn. This shy senior came to us via a local animal control with severe dental disease. Thanks to the clinic we were able to quickly get him the care he needed. We then got him into a wonderful foster home with some other canine companions to bring him out of his shell… and that family ultimately adopted him!

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Pirate

Pirate arrived at Baypath as a stray. It was immediately clear this kitty had suffered an excruciating eye injury. Thanks to the clinic we were able to remove his eye, immediately relieving his pain. We also were able to tend to his teeth and neuter him. Pirate recovered well with his foster family and once he was healthy returned to the shelter. However, he shut down for a short time, and only opened up when he befriended a young kitten. The two, who soon became inseparable, were adopted together.

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