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Neighborhood Report

Reducing stray animal population is clinic's mission

By ELIZABETH MILLER
Published April 28, 2006

ODESSA - When Blackie came poking around Linda Hamilton's yard, she knew the wild feline was in need of more than just food.

Blackie had kittens and looked unhealthy. But being a feral cat that had never known human contact, she wouldn't let Hamilton near her.

Hamilton, who already had cats of her own, called some animal shelters but realized that Blackie's fate, along with most of the cats brought to these groups, would be grim.

The number of strays or unwanted pets brought to Hillsborough County Animal Services far outweighs the number of people looking to adopt a pet. County policy dictates that Animal Services must take in any animal that is brought in. Last year, the agency received 33,000 unwanted dogs and cats, said Hamilton. There's just not enough room or finances to keep or take care of these animals.

As a result, "92 percent of cats and 83 percent of dogs brought to animal services are euthanized," said Hamilton.

Hamilton, 56, of Odessa recently helped open the ACT (Animal Coalition of Tampa) Spay/Neuter Clinic on Lemon Street in Tampa. In an effort to reduce the number of euthanized cats and dogs in Hillsborough County, the clinic offers low-cost spay and neutering.

"We've got to cut the problem off at the level it's happening," said Hamilton. "That is, we have to keep the animals from reproducing."

The problem stems not just from homeless animals like Blackie, but from pet owners who let their pets outdoors without having them spayed or neutered.

For unwanted or abandoned pets, there are dozens of animal rescue groups in Hillsborough County - groups like the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort or the French Bulldog Rescue Group. They range from greyhound lovers to feline fans. All have the same goal in mind - to help save animals.

Some groups hope to rescue and adopt pets to good homes. But that's not cheap. The animals have to be spayed or neutered and get vaccinated before they can be adopted. And, there are never enough homes.

With all these good intentions, Hamilton quickly realized adoption efforts weren't enough. None of these groups alone could make a dent in the euthanasia rate as long as animals kept reproducing. Something had to be done. Efforts had to be organized and centralized.

In 2001, Hamilton co-founded ACT, in which 35 rescue groups came together to figure out a solution to pet overpopulation.

This group led to the formation of the local chapter of the national organization of No More Homeless Pets. The goal of this group is to end euthanasia as the primary means of animal population control.

ACT sponsored programs like adopt-a-thons and Project Spay Day, a monthly effort to get free-roaming cats spayed and neutered.

"One out of 12 households feeds free-roaming cats," said Hamilton. "People want to do the right thing (by sterilizing them), but have a hard time with the cost."

For $25, a stray or feral cat could get sterilized and get a rabies shot by volunteer veterinarians at a mobile surgical center. ACT is able to sterilize 100 cats a month through Project Spay Day. But Project Spay Day is only for free-roaming cats and didn't help pet owners who couldn't afford to take their animals to vets.

According to the Humane Society, in seven years one female cat and her offspring could theoretically produce 420,000 cats. That's seven cats born to every one human that's born, said Hamilton.

The clinic can offer lower prices than a veterinarian by specializing in high-volume spaying and neutering only. The price does not include vaccinations or any wellness visits or re-checks.

The goal of ACT is to perform about 7,600 surgeries a year to make a difference in pet overpopulation and, consequently, the euthanasia rate in Hillsborough.

For Hamilton, getting trained and finding a location and funding was a labor of love. Along with the support of many people and local organizations, Hamilton got help from her husband, Frank, who teaches business at Eckerd College. Donations from Petco and PetSmart helped buy surgical equipment.

Hamilton's efforts finally came to fruition in March.

"We got 180 phone calls the first day the clinic opened," she said.

The clinic performs 25 to 30 surgeries a day. It spayed and neutered more than 300 animals in its first 3½ weeks. With only one full-time veterinarian on staff, the need for more help, and even another clinic, is evident.

This year, Hamilton finally had to step down from her role as president of ACT to work full-time at the clinic.

"My goal is to get a salary competitive enough to bring in a full-time director so I can open another clinic," said Hamilton.

Hamilton moved to Odessa from Countryway in 2003. She still feeds Blackie, who has since been spayed and received her vaccinations, along with two other outdoor cats. Hamilton also saw to it that Blackie's kittens were spayed and neutered. She said kittens and puppies can be spayed or neutered as young as two months.

ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic

1719 WLemon St.Tampa, FL 33606www.actampa.org

Specializing in low-cost spay or neuter surgery

Cats: $40

Dogs under 50 pounds: $75

Dogs over 50 pounds: $95

Prices do not include vaccinations.

Call or e-mail to schedule an appointment:813 250-3900; whiteturtlecat@hotmail.com

Project Spay Day

Spay or neuter free-roaming cats only

Cost: $25

Second Sunday of each month

Call (813) 818-9381

[Last modified April 27, 2006, 13:38:13]