Our Mission & Motivation
The mission of Companion Animal Clinic Foundation (CACF) is to reduce the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in central NC by providing affordable and subsidized spay/neuter surgery for low-income pet owners, 501c3 animal welfare groups and for county animal control facilities.
We have a pet overpopulation crisis in North Carolina. We euthanize more companion animals than any other state aside from California and Texas. We can’t adopt our way out of this crisis. There are simply not enough adoption options to address the increasingly large numbers of animals surrendered to county animal control agencies or worse left to wander county roads.
The most effective and humane strategy for ending pet overpopulation is high-volume, high-quality sterilization surgery.
Affordable spay/neuter not only reduces companion animal overpopulation, but it also saves communities valuable tax dollars. In our footprint, counties spend two to three times the cost of a spay/neuter surgery to house and euthanize a companion animal.
Challenges
Many barriers prevent North Carolina pet owners from sterilizing their pets. CACF and SNVC work to overcome these barriers so our mission can be realized.
Affordability
CACF raises money to overcome financial barriers standing in the way of low-income pet owners sterilizing their dogs and cats. A survey of private veterinary clinics in our area shows that spay/neuter surgery may cost as much as $400-$500, a daunting amount for many families. Qualifying low-income families receive free surgery.
Language
The SNVC has added bilingual staff to overcome language barriers.
Geography
Many low-income pet owners are unable travel to the SNVC clinic in Moore County. In 2021, CACF purchased a mobile vet surgical clinic to access these families in rural areas. After two years of fundraising to outfit the clinic with surgical equipment and supplies, the mobile unit is on the road bringing affordable spay/neuter to counties in our footprint.
Cultural Beliefs
CACF partners with other local, non-profits to educate pet owners on the necessity of sterilization surgery to reduce pet overpopulation and to inform them of the health, and behavioral benefits to pets of spay/neuter. We stir the empathy of pet owners for the importance of basic pet health care.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
CACF remodeled the SNVC clinic to make it safe for staff, clients, and animals.
Nationwide Shortage of Vets and Vet Techs
SNVC hired new staff and retained employees in the face of widespread vet staff shortages and historically low unemployment. CACF and SNVC committed funds to improve staff salaries and benefits.
High inflation
We met the challenge of 50% cost inflation in key consumables (drugs and surgical supplies) in the last two years. With relentless fundraising and tight financial management, we have managed these challenges without raising fees for low-income pet owners.