I am the new coordinator of our shelters SNAP (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program), and am looking for some ideas to revamp/improve things. Currently the program is quite lenient as to ones financial need, essentially if they request help, we trust that they need it. We accept persons on state/federal aid, workers comp, and also students and folks who are simply unemployed. We do require proof of current vaccines, and have a limit of 4 pets altered per household. Once they are approved, we send them a certificate from a participating clinic, and they bring them the certificate and pay a small fee (cat spay 15 dollars, cat neuter 10).
The program seems to work well, but I have no way of knowing if people are abusing it or taking advantage of it, as most people who would are smart enough to "tip-toe" around the paperwork and make it look good. Some people are nice enough to send along proof of need, but most do not and we do not require it. I did have one the other day that irritated me though, I sent out an application to them, only to recieve a voice mail from them saying "oh, and we plan on getting another cat, will we need another application?" I almost flipped, thinking how nice that you need help to alter one, how do you figure you can afford to get another? Ideas? Suggestions??? I think it is a great thing to offer, but surely if it is too abused, it will come to an end. Thanks in advance!!
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