Neuter Clinic

Neuter ClinicHow to Start a Low Cost Spay/Neuter ClinicAccording to the national organization Spay USA, the average low-cost spay/neuter clinic is able to accommodate between 30 and 50 surgeries per day. These low-cost clinics make spay/neuter services affordable and help prevent pet overpopulation in the community. Here are a few steps towards startinga low-cost spay/neuter clinic in your area. Assess Community Needs Are there quite a few low-cost spay/neuter programs in your area already? If so, the demand may not be there for an additional program (though by all means check to see if current programs are able to meet community needs). Checking with local animal shelters to find out current euthanasia rates is another good indicator of whether pet overpopulation is a problem in the area. Your clinic should be placed in a convenient area that is accessible to families who will be using the service. Decide On an Operational Model There are several different ways to operate a low-cost spay/neuter program. The first is the most obvious opening a stand-alone facility with its own staff. This can be a significant expense at the outset, though it is possible to finance through donations and grants.A second option is to use an established clinics facilities after hours or on weekendsif you can find a practice willing to share space.A third option is to run a spay/neuter subsidy program, where veterinarians willing to work with the program provide reduced cost surgeries while receiving a supplemental financial subsidy from the program (thus eliminating the programs need for a separate facility or staff). A fourth option is running a mobile service, operating out of a specially equipped van, though these vehicles can be very expensive to purchase, furnish, and insure. Some programs choose instead to offer a pet taxi service to bring animals to and from appointments at established low-cost spay/neuter clinics, either by having a dedicated van for this purpose or utilizing volunteers and their personal vehicles. Seek Funding Becoming approved for 501(c)(3) nonprofit position will allow your donors to write off their donations of funds, goods, and services. The process can be lengthy but is usually worth the effort in the long run. There are also a variety of grant programs that can provide financial support for spay/neuter clinics. PetSmart Charities is one organization that offers a variety of grants including those designed for targeted spay/neuter programs, free-roaming cat spay/neuter programs, and spay/neuter equipment programs. Donations from the community can also be found through corporate matching programs, sponsorships, and benefit events. Establish a Location andEquip the Facility If you are going to operate a stand-alone facility, you need to find a convenient location with enough room to accommodate the necessary surgical equipment and staff. Veterinarians may be willing to donate old equipment, so it always is a good i dea to ask vets in the area if they have anything they are no longer using. Necessary items include a surgery table, lighting, surgical instruments, autoclave, gowns and gloves, surgical drapes, anesthesia equipment, cages, drugs, and a refrigerator for drug storage. It is also possible to get group discounts by affiliating with a major national organization such as the National Spay Neuter Response Team (NSNRT), a part of the Humane Alliance. Hire Staff A clinic needs at least one vet, a few technicians, and someone to work the front office (checking in patients and making appointments). Another option is to hire multiple part-time vets who just work one or two days of the schedule each week. Volunteers from the community can also be utilized for support staff. Set Fees fruchtwein low-cost clinics try to offer their services at a rate of 50 to 60 percent below the cost charged by a commercial vet clinic. The low-cost clinic must factor in what it costs to break even with re gard to supplies, salaries, and other costs of doing business. A general range of $35 to $75, depending on the type of animal and its gender, would be typical. Create an Application Owners must demonstrate their eligibility for low-cost services by detailing their financial situation and number of pets on the application form. A payment plan should also be outlined with deadlines. Advertise Your Services It shouldnt take a whole lot of advertising to find potential clients for your spay/neuter clinic. Be sure to let local rescue groups and shelters know that you have established a new clinic in their area. Local publications, websites, and television stations may also be willing to provide coverage of your new program.

How Inspirational Quotes Can Help Your Career - The Muse

How Inspirational Quotes Can Help Your Career - The MuseHow Inspirational Quotes Can Help Your CareerInspirational quotes are great. Who doesnt feel more motivated after reading, If the wind doesnt serve, take to the oars, or Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it? But Ive elendiced one of two things happens after I read an inspirational quote Either I promptly forget about it, or I repeat it so often it loses all of its meaning. For example, whenever something bad happened, I used to tell myself, Its all okay in the end. If its bedrngnis okay, its not the end. When I first heard this, I found comfort in remembering all the times Id experienced total disasters that eventually worked out. However, after years of thinking, Its all okay in the end, it had become an automatic, rote response that didnt mean anything.Contrastingly, when I read Be the change you want to see in the world, I thought, Thats great Im going to be the change- and promptly forgot about it. I didn t do anything differently, and there welches no point.Then, I got an idea. Id pick one inspirational quote and live by that quote- for one week. After the seven days was up, Id choose a new quote. Focusing on one mantra at a time would give me focus, and Id switch often enough that theyd maintain their impact. For my first week, I went with the Latin proverb, Be a fountain, not a drain. Basically, Id enrich others lives by being happy or cheerful or helpful, rather than deplete them with pettiness, cruelty, or apathy. Mastering the balance between my selfish and selfless tendencies is always a challenge- but I found having this proverb constantly running through my mind made a difference. When a woman who works for an online professional profile site emailed me and asked if we could talk about my career path as a writer, I was tempted to say no. After all, the idea of giving up a half hour during an insanely busy time for no clear reward wasnt appealing. (Im not proud) Then I rememb ered I was supposed to be fountain-ing, so I said yes. To be completely transparent, something beneficial did come out of it The woman offered to feature me on the sites blog, which may help me score more writing gigs.The mantra worked for smaller things, too, like not complaining to my co-workers about the dirty dishes left in the sink or deciding to pick up flowers for someone I knew had been super stressed.Then, just as I was getting used to thinking about fountains versus drains, the week was up and it was time to pick a new quote. I decided to go with Wayne Gretzskys You miss 100% of the shots you dont take.This quote inspired me to do something Id been debating about for a while- ask for a raise from one of the publications to which I contribute. I definitely felt the pieces Id submitted had gotten much stronger over time and therefore merited higher compensation. However, I needed Gretzskys wisdom for that final motivation to ask. And- I didnt get the raise. Not because I did nt deserve more money, my editor said, but because there just wasnt room in the budget. However, he promised wed talk again in five or six weeks.In the spirit of taking more shots, I also applied to several internship positions that sounded amazing but that I wasnt fully qualified for and invited a professional to coffee. Ive gotten to the second rounds of the internships, and the coffee meetup was great. The woman works at a local company Im interested in, and our conversation helped me get a better feel for its values and vibe. If I decide to apply for a job there after graduation, that knowledge will definitely come in handy.Over the next weeks, I lived according to By failing to prepare, you prepare to fail (I tried to be hyper-organized), There is always room at the top, (I tried to focus on collaboration, not competition), and The most effective way to do it, is to do it (I tried to put the kibosh on procrastination). Each quote helped me zero in one specific facet of my work life- yet I noticed even after moving on from a philosophy, its effects would linger. When I have the opportunity to help someone, even though if wont help me, Im more likely to say yes because I was so happy Id helped that woman during my fountain week. I developed some great organization techniques from my preparing to fail week. Ive started responding to emails right after I read them, thanks to my just do it week.Its been a great exercise, and Im feeling plenty inspired. If you want to follow my lead, check out my most successful strategiesWrite the quote in your weekly planner, so you see it every time you look at your schedule.Stick a Post-it note of the quote on your desk or mirror, which is great for starting and ending the day with a reminder.Take a little extra time to pick quotes that really resonate with you and are broad enough to apply to various situations. These 50 career quotes are perfect for starting your challenge. Bonus Theyre pretty enough to use as your phone hintergrund (another great way to have a constant reminder of your mantra for the week).Please tweet at me if you decide to try the exercise. Id love to hear what quotes you use and the results you getPhoto of inspirational quote courtesy of Shutterstock.

7 questions to ask before quitting your job

7 questions to ask before quitting your job7 questions to ask before quitting your jobIt is half-past you-should-have-left-the-office-hours-ago - and your frustration level is near a boiling point. Maybe it isnt the extra hours of work (that ahem, you dont get paid overtime for), but an overbearing, passive-aggressive boss that doesnt appreciate you. Or the company culture doesnt match your personality or your working style. Perhaps it is simply that youve been at the saatkorn company for so many years, you feel lost in the trenches, feigning interest and finding yourself desperately bored.The desire to give a two-week leidice on a whim, hand over that pink slip or storm out of the office in an impressive, dramatic fit is tempting for nearly every professional at some point in their trajectory. Even if that grand exit seems more and more appealing these days, career experts suggest reigning in those impulses - and answering a few questions first.As career expert Joy Altimare explai ns, a questionable economy paired with unstable employee morale, treading lightly will protect your career and future success.Rattle through these inquiries - and if youre in the affirmative? Let us know when youre going away drinks are and well RSVPHave I tried to make everything work?Considering in your lifetime youll spend far more time with your cubicle mates than you will your significant other, you can sometimes apply the same mentality toward quitting as you do to a breakup. As Altimare recommends, you should try to make your gig work before you throw in the towel. From having a clear and articulate conversation with your direct manager to coming up with solutions that could improve your state of mind and outlook, taking proactive measures illustrates your commitment to your job. After youve aired your grievances, give it a few months to sink in before you decide next steps - into or out of the front door.If after that period youre still disenchanted? Altimare reminds profe ssionals it is important to make a graceful exit, with impeccable timing. Are you in the midst of the busiest season or working on a big project? It may be worthwhile to honor your commitments so that your team isnt left in a bind and youre able to leave on good term, she adds.Is the grass greener?You can take this in two directions emotional and quite practical. As career coach Cheryl Palmer notes, it is vital to prioritize your emotional state of happiness, but also helps to lay out a pro-and-con list that details what your life would actually look like, sans-current-LinkedIn-title.Look at how bad the situation is if it is damaging your health, that could trump any other consideration. But if that is not the case, then look at other factors that could influence your decision. Sometimes it makes sense to stay where you are for awhile if that is your best option, Palmer continues. Its worthwhile to take a hard look at your employment prospects. Is your skill set marketable so that y ou could land another comparable fleck in a relatively short period of time? If not, you could be worse off if you quit before increasing the marketability of your skills.On the other hand, if you feel prepared and confident to make a leap, and a sudden change, it might be time to push off the harbor and set sail.Is it them or is it you?Heres another time when relationship self-help books might be targeted to professional growth are you dissatisfied at work because your employer or company is less than stellar or are you to blame? Being self-critical is a difficult skill for nearly everyone, at every career level, but in terms of bidding adieu to a job, it is critical. Executive coach and author, Marion E. Brooks challenges employees to dig deep - and be honest - about what is actually happening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.A lot of people think its the organization or their boss when its really them, because they lack emotional intelligence, they dont have the right brand, connections, or theyre not putting in the effort thats required for the next level, he explains.Before you quit, Brooks says to answer this question What in your current situation has happened that has convinced you that youve hit an insurmountable obstacle? If the answer lies in your own actions, a new opportunity might not shake things up enough. But if it is your company - you know it is time to go.What do you like about the new job?Tempted by the title of another? Or, ahem, the paycheck? More recognition, higher status and extra zeros on that paycheck are what push most people to leave their current roles, but Brooks recommends a soul-searching session before jet-setting. How come? As you mature in your career, it becomes more and more important to identify what actually matters to you in the workplace.Thats why being clear on what your values are for the new opportunity - from every angle, not just the apparent ones. You really have to be clear on what your values are for any new opportun ity or job. Most people focus on one element versus looking at the situation holistically, he explains.And remember - if those dollar signs are what is lighting up your eyes? That doesnt necessarily mean youll be happier. You definitely need to look at it from a financial perspective, and whether you can sustain your current lifestyle - but money shouldnt be the only reason, Brooks adds.Can I afford this?For some wanderlust professionals who aspire to travel the world - or savor the freedom of being their own boss, a job offer isnt required for them to pack it up and go. If youre making the leap to freelance full-time, or branching out to start up your own gig, career expert Christopher Kingman suggests crunching your numbers, since leaving a job without a financial plan is extremely risky.In addition to your monthly expenses - rent, car payment, you personenname it - you also need to consider an emergency fund to cover everything from flat tires to hospital visits. To put your self in the best possible position, aim to save at least six months worth of expenses - and get to hustling from the second you leave.Why am I quitting?Apart from all of the practical and straightforward questions, Kingman also adds in one that may take you time to answer why are you quitting? Even if you can rattle off a laundry list of complaints after a particularly stressful day, it is important to actually consider the core of why you want to skedaddle. Things like priority changes or hitting the top of your potential are valid reasons you want to find out the underlying issues you are quitting for so you can be sure quitting is the only way to fix it, he explains.Which is where the final question becomes important will quitting solve the problem?If I quit, is my problem/concern solved?Kingman says once youve collected your talking points and youre prepared to present your case (whether to yourself in the mirror for a pep talk, or your actual manager) - make sure that saying sayonara to your job will actually have the impact youre hoping for. He says if you cant be certain youll feel different - or you simply dont know - you might consider waiting.The decision to leave a job is one that shouldnt be taken lightly. The questions you ask yourself are to ensure your current situation cant be improved and that quitting your job will only lead to greater opportunities, he adds.