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email storyAmerican Humane Grants $25,000 to Find Ways to Sterilize Pets Without Surgery
The Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs Will Use Funds to Advance Non-Surgical Approaches
The Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D) received a $25,000 grant from the American Humane Association this week. “We are delighted to count American Humane among our colleagues and supporters”, writes Joyce Briggs, President of ACC&D. “This generous gift is critical to helping us reach our goal of safe, effective, non-surgical methods for sterilizing cats and dogs.”
Four million cats and dogs die in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because they are homeless. “We know that sterilization programs reduce homeless pet populations, but the trick is reaching enough of the animals. There is only so far we can go when we are limited to a surgical procedure to stop reproduction”, Briggs reports.
“American Humane is committed to improving the welfare of cats and dogs and bringing an end to the homeless pet problem. Being able to sterilize pets with a simple injection will vastly improve animal protection organizations’ ability to save lives,” says Marie Belew Wheatley, President and CEO of American Humane.
The first of these products will be available in the U.S. in about a year. Neutersol®, a non-surgical sterilant for male dogs, will be introduced by Abbott Animal Health. ACC&D is advising Abbott about pet population control needs and is planning several pilot projects using the product. Additionally, ACC&D is looking at the potential of a three-year contraceptive for cats and is establishing a post-doctorate program to explore new technologies like small interfering RNA.
“We’re excited about the progress we’ve made, but there’s much work left to be done, and we can’t do it alone”, explains Briggs. Raising awareness and demonstrating demand for non-surgical sterilization are critical to ACC&D’s work. American Humane is helping on that front, too, as one of ACC&D’s Organizational Partners.
Briggs adds, “We’re so excited by what we can accomplish with American Humane’s support!”
For more information or to sign the petition for non-surgical sterilization visit http://www.acc-d.org.
