Working With Public Health Departments!

By Esther Mechler, Director, SPAYUSA

Public health officials are trained to think in terms of preventing problems -- a perfect match for those of us who promote spay/neuter in order to prevent unwanted litters. They are also trained to work in creative, collaborative ways with traditional and new partners to improve environmental health.

The problem of domestic animal overpopulation exists in nearly every community. In the past, however, people concerned with the well-being of cats/dogs have too often either ignored - or even been in an antagonistic relationship with - their local public health officials. Developing a relationship and communicating in a positive, solution-oriented manner will help to create a healthy private/public partnership amongst citizens, nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies.

We need to educate public health agencies on how we can assist them in solving the companion animal overpopulation issue on a local level. For instance, they may not be aware that documentation exists that demonstrates a direct correlation between aggressive (high volume) spay/neuter programs and a decline in the surplus of cats and dogs. Health Departments receive complaints about strays, must field these complaints and concerns, deal with the threat of rabies and other zoonotic diseases, and find effective strategy to address these problems.

Beginning with a pilot program in SPAY/USA's own back yard, we have established a very positive and mutually beneficial relationship with our own local public health officials. Having experienced the support of our public health department and the wonderful help they have given to help solve the problem, I offer the following tips for others who may be interested:
  • Select one professional person to be the liaison with public health -the department is busy, gets many calls, and fields many problems daily - they do not need a flood of calls or representatives.
  • Keep in mind that your public health officials may have had bad experiences with cat problems - hoarders and collectors. This is your opportunity to educate them about your goals and overall mission, which is to greatly reduce the number of stray and feral animals and ultimately end overpopulation. If you are working with felines, you check for illness, remove and socialize feral kittens and homeless, friendly cats, then re-home them, and reduce the numbers of felines in the community, all of which contributes to the solution.
  • Find out about the issues at your local health department - what are its other issues (other than animals) that need attention? Currently some of these issues include bioterrorism threats, anthrax, poisoning of water systems, AIDS and local response to weapons of mass destruction. We need that perspective to understand their time and budget constraints. Since rabies is one of their concerns, inform your health department that your spay/neuter program includes rabies vaccinations, if this is the case. This is an excellent tie-in with their objectives.
  • Is there anyone in the department who knows/cares about companion animals? Maybe it is best to begin by talking with them and providing them with information - if they are well-regarded in the department.
  • Gather local statistics and statistics from comparable areas that have successfully dealt with dog/cat over population. Prepare a folder of data. Public Health Departments rely on hard data.
  • Go in with a positive and open attitude when you get your first appointment. First impressions are important; a nonprofessional appearance or a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude can reduce the likelihood that the department will want to work with you/your group.
  • Know what you would like to achieve (your goals) and how you can reasonably expect the department could work with you (strategies) keeping in mind their budget, time, and staff constraints. You may receive a few thousand dollars toward a spay/neuter program, the endorsement of public officials, a better program, and a far swifter achievement of your goals than you ever could have managed alone.
  • Contact Alley Cat Allies for background information on working with agencies. They have a short video designed to inform city officials, veterinarians and others about the benefits of TNR (The Humane Solution); such fact sheets such as "Community Benefits of Feral Cats," "Do's and Don't of Relocation," "Taming Feral Kittens" and "Facts about Rabies"; books such as The Stray Cat Handbook and an informative newsletter. Fax your inquiries to 202-667-3640 or e-mail the director at brobinson@alleycat.org.

In the words of Ron Cash, Director of the Health Department in Atlantic City, New Jersey, "TrapNeuterRelease is congruent with my responsibility to prevent injuries to humans, protect humans from public health and safety risks, and promote a healthy human population."

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