Could the key to solving New York City's animal overpopulation crisis be more accessible than we think?

Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unravel the transformative journey of Will Zweigart, the driving force behind Flatbush Cats and Flatbush Vet. Once an advertising executive, Will discovered that adoption and rescue efforts alone were insufficient to address the city's crowded shelters. Through our conversation, you'll uncover how his nonprofit veterinary clinic, established in 2023, aims to systematically “turn off the sink” of animal overpopulation by making spay-neuter services more affordable and accessible. We tackle the tough questions about why past initiatives fell short and how new approaches can create sustainable solutions for animal welfare.

The discussion takes a serious look at the resource challenges facing animal welfare organizations, particularly the dire need for increased funding and support for spay-neuter clinics. With an estimated demand of 200,000 affordable appointments annually, our current resources are woefully inadequate. We explore the crucial roles that large organizations and municipal funding must play in addressing this shortfall, while also highlighting recent progress, such as a city council oversight hearing that marks a promising step forward.

As we chart a path toward building sustainable veterinary solutions, the conversation emphasizes collaboration, a clear mission, and the transition from focusing solely on procedures to offering comprehensive care. This shift helps prevent animal surrenders and also ensures the long-term welfare of pets and their families.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Will Zweigart’s transformation from advertising executive to animal welfare advocate
• Urgent need for affordable spay-neuter services to combat animal overpopulation in NYC
• Resource challenges in providing spay-neuter services, including funding and clinic capacity issues
• Role of municipal funding and large organizations in addressing animal welfare crises
• Sustainable solutions for pet care beyond immediate procedures, focusing on long-term welfare
• The broader impact of accessible veterinary care in preventing animal surrenders
• Building a successful, replicable model for veterinary clinics and community engagement

Resources from this Episode

United Spay Alliance: unitedspayalliance.org

Feline Fix by Five: felinefixbyfive.org

Flatbush Cats: flatbushcats.org

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

On this episode of United We Spay, Lisa Milot, a distinguished professor of Canine Welfare Law at the University of Georgia, shares her transformative journey from an animal rescue volunteer to a nonprofit founder focused on strategic spay-neuter programs. Her passion for systemic change in animal welfare underscores the episode as she recounts her “aha moment” that shifted her focus toward addressing the root causes of pet overpopulation. Stacy and Lisa explore how collaboration with animal control and community engagement can significantly enhance spay-neuter efforts, dramatically increasing altered animals and reducing the surplus of pets without homes.

Their conversation takes a deep dive into the innovative strategies being deployed to make spay-neuter services more accessible and effective. From pop-up vet care clinics to data-driven approaches, Lisa discusses how these initiatives build community trust and showcase the power of familiar, private practice veterinarians. Furthermore, we delve into the importance of collaboration across veterinary practices, supported by the United Spay Alliance, to improve surgical techniques and offer affordable services. Lisa's insights reveal the necessity of continuous education for veterinarians and the role of incremental care in addressing community-specific needs.

Stacy and Lisa also tackle the broader legal and systemic challenges in animal welfare, such as evolving perspectives on pets in divorce agreements and the pressing crisis of pet overproduction in Georgia. Lisa highlights how local reforms can inspire broader changes, illustrating this with successful community efforts in Athens. This engaging discussion encourages listeners to contribute to systemic change and collaborate across fields to create a compassionate world for animals.

Whether you're an animal welfare advocate or new to the cause, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to support a brighter future for our furry friends.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Lisa Milot's journey from animal rescue volunteer to nonprofit founder focused on strategic spay-neuter programs
• Importance of collaboration with animal control and community engagement to enhance spay-neuter efforts
• Innovative strategies like pop-up vet care clinics and data-driven approaches for accessible and effective services
• Role of United Spay Alliance in supporting continuing education and advanced surgical techniques for veterinarians
• Legal and systemic challenges in animal welfare, including perspectives on pets in divorce agreements and pet overproduction in Georgia
• Successful community efforts in Athens as a model for broader changes in animal welfare
• Emphasis on collaboration across fields to create a compassionate world for animals

Resources from this Episode

United Spay Alliance: unitedspayalliance.org

Feline Fix by Five: felinefixbyfive.org

Lisa Milot, J.D.: www.law.uga.edu/profile/lisa-milot

Athenspets: www.athenspets.net

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Dawn Wilkinson, the dynamic executive director of the Humane Society in South Carolina, joins us on this episode of United We Spay to share her inspiring journey from accounting and healthcare to animal welfare advocacy. Her leadership has been pivotal in transforming the organization by reducing costs and expanding programs to perform thousands of spay-neuter surgeries annually. Dawn's passion for ending animal cruelty and overpopulation shines as she discusses the importance of making these services accessible to more communities.

We explore the financial strategies that are driving nonprofits toward greater efficiency and sustainability. Organizations can fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities while expanding their reach by treating nonprofit budgets like a business. Learn insightful techniques, such as optimizing salary expenses and leveraging inventory management, that have been game-changers for the Humane Society. The episode highlights how platforms like VetCve, along with strategic negotiations with suppliers, are helping to reduce expenses and improve services.

Dawn also highlights the global impact of spay-neuter initiatives and their role in public health. With resources like UnitedSpayAlliance.org, we emphasize the importance of spreading awareness and education on this critical issue. As we continue to build a compassionate world for animals, we invite listeners to engage with our mission by sharing these insights, subscribing to future episodes, and reaching out for more information.

Join us in this ongoing conversation about making a difference one spay-neuter surgery at a time.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Dawn Wilkinson's transition from finance to leading the Humane Society in South Carolina
• Strategies for nonprofit efficiency, focusing on budget management and cost reduction.
• Spay-neuter initiatives in combating animal overpopulation and promoting public health
• Innovative financial strategies, including inventory management and supplier negotiations
• Utilization of technology to enhance communication and streamline operations within nonprofits
• Spreading awareness and education about accessible spay-neuter services
• Techniques for maximizing fundraising and sustaining nonprofit operations

Resources from this Episode

United Spay Alliance: unitedspayalliance.org

Feline Fix by Five: felinefixbyfive.org

Humane Society of South Carolina: www.humanesc.org

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.