May Spay/Neuter Clinic was a HUGE success!

Just about a month ago, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue held our first spay/neuter clinic of the season. We were fortunate to have a great mix of ‘veteran’ volunteers and some first timers as well. Mother Nature cooperated and sent us beautiful sunny days.

Within an hour of opening each day, all our surgery slots were filled. Dr. Lisa and her MNSNAP team were outstanding. All-in-all they performed extra spay neuter surgeries for a grand total of 112 animals spayed or neutered (41 female dogs, 22 male dogs, 25 female cats, and 24 male cats).

WOW, WOW, WOW Here is why these numbers are phenomenal:

· 1 female dog and her offspring could produce 67,000 puppies in 7 years. We spayed 41 female dogs, thus preventing approximately 2,747,000 puppies!

· 1 female cat and her offspring could produce 420,000 kittens in 7 years. We spayed 25 female cats, thus preventing up to 10,500,000 kitties!

Spay and neuter clinics are working to improve companion animal lives on the Red Lake Reservation by decreasing the overpopulation of cats and dogs. We promise to keep running Spay/Neuter clinics as long as we can to assist all companion animals and their owners on the Red Lake Reservation.

Not only did we have a record number of spay/neuter surgeries. Our wellness vet, Dr. Katie was inundated with wellness and medical visits too. Dr Katie was constantly on the move for the entire 2 ½ day clinic. Dr. Katie saw 79 animals (64 dogs and 15 cats) for wellness and vaccination visits. Dr Katie also saw 15 animals with medical conditions/injuries. By the end of our clinic, Dr. Katie had administered 63 PRC (distemper vaccination for cats). PRC helps prevent the spread of feline leukemia and 2 other viral illnesses. 127 DHPP vaccinations (for dogs). DHPP helps prevent distemper and parvovirus, along with other illnesses. Dr. Katie also gave total of 176 rabies vaccinations.

Often, people assume grooming is an optional or vanity process for dogs. This however, could not be further from the truth. We were so fortunate to have 2 outstanding young groomers from the Twin Cities at our clinic. They were also assisted for part of a day by a local groomer. After all the hair settled, these young women groomed a total of 28 dogs! Several of whom were so matted, they could hardly move. When an animal’s hair becomes matted, it becomes quite painful, as the mats start pulling and pinching. Additionally, the mats are a great hiding place for fleas and ticks. In addition to grooming, surgeries, and vaccinations we distributed bottles of diatomaceous earth to pet owners to help control flea and ticks on their pets.

Jackie, one of our volunteers, frequently and regularly updated our Facebook page during the clinic. She shared information about surgery openings, grooming openings, and our hours of operation. With the additional frequent updates on Facebook, we saw our ‘touches’ reach an all-time high of 17,000 touches! We also saw younger residents bringing in their pets for surgery or vaccinations! Well done Jackie!!! Frequent FaceBook posts was a huge part of our success this year, in addition to the great marketing created and posted in the local newspaper by board members Carol and Jo.

Last, but not least, we also take in surrender animals at our clinics. May was definitely dominated by cat and kitten surrenders. We had a total of 18 cats and kittens surrendered (which included several littersof kittens). 2 dogs were surrendered, and 1 rabbit. All 21 animals were transported to various Humane Societies within the state or to foster based rescue groups in the Twin Cities.

May 2017 RLRR Spay/Neuter Clinic is record setting on all fronts. Thank you to the tireless volunteers who made the clinic so successful. I want to also thank the Nancy K, Nancy H, Desirae and Kay our local volunteers who help Karen start setting things up before the Twin Cities volunteers arrive. It makes set-up so much easier! Thanks all around to everyone who had a hand in making this clinic the best ever! The biggest bonus…no major traumas, no parvo, and no euthanasias! Well done everyone, well done.

Kim
RLRR Board of Directors