Practicum

Spring 2024: Operation Catnip

I chose to do my Practicum at Operation Catnip of Gainesville (OC). Operation Catnip is a TNR (trap-neuter-return) clinic who's mission is to provide programs and services for community cats and their caregivers through sterilization, collaboration, and education.

Operation Catnip

Operation Catnip of Gainesville was founded in 1998, and has helped over 85,000 community cats. OC offers multiple programs including TNR, KSD, Working Cats, CCMC, and deployment. The TNR program allows for cats to be fixed, vaccinated, eartipped, and given a flea and worm prevention. The KSD program allows for kittens to receive medical care without overwhelming the shelter systems. The Working Cat Program allows for feral cats that end up in the shelter system a second chance at life. The CCMC teaches vet students the importance of caring for a treating community cats and offers them a chance at surgery. Deployments allow for community cats in low income/ under resourced areas to receive medical care. This spring I had the pleasure of assisting with multiple of these programs and seeing the true different Catnip makes in the community.

Social Issues Paper on Feline Welfare and TNR

Practicum Experience

During my time at Operation Catnip I performed daily and weekly tasks. Some daily tasks were communicating with Caregivers through phone, text, and email, checking-in and out animals for TNR services, approving KSD applications, inputing clinic records, trap loans, communicating any concerns with the medical team, and washing traps. On a weekly basis I communicated with KSD caregivers, I organized the trap room, and I sent out appointment reminders.

Deployment to St. Georges Island

In February 2024 I had the opportunity to travel to the Florida Panhandle with OC where we trapped, fixed, and released 150 cats in under serviced communities. I assisted with set-up, check-in, clinic records, discharge, transportation, and instrument cleaning.

Spring CCMC

In March 2024 the UF school of Veterinary Medicine hosted a CCMC (Community Cat Management Course) that ended with a large TNR clinic where we fixed 172 cats. I assisted in check-in, clinic records, recovery, and discharge.

KSD Coordinating

While Spring is typically the "off Season" for kittens I was still able to help assist with a few KSD applications. I reviewed applications, spoke with caregivers, scheduled and checked in multiple KSD litters. This Summer "kitten season" I have been reviewing and approving on average 20 KSD applications a week.