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| The SpayJax Program Endorsed by the JVMS, Funded by the City of Jacksonville, Administered by FCNMHP Program Summary: This is a short summary of the SpayJax program and how it works. Reading over this will give the you an idea of the mechanics of the program, then after reading this, the answers to most of your questions can be found in the documents and reports listed below. Target Clients: This program is targeted at the pets of low income Duval County residents who earn less than 50% of the median income or who participate in one of seven government assistance programs (Medicaid, WIC, TANF, SSI, Food Stamps, AFDC or Section 8 Government Housing). Documentation of qualification is required, clients bring documentation to clinic either when making the appointment or at the time of surgery. Documentation along with completed certificate is presented with invoice to FCNMHP for reimbursement. We target market these clients by promoting the program through posters and brochures placed at government assistance offices and places where assistance dollars are spent, such as grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods.
We ask that no additional services be required as these clients are unlikely to be able to afford anything extra. These prices are set by our contract with the city and were arrived at through negotiations with a committee of Veterinarians established by the JVMS. These are the prices for the first two years of the program. It is unrealistic to believe that Veterinarians will continue to deliver the same service for the same price in subsequent years. Funding: Funding is provided through a contract with the City of Jacksonville. Initial contract started in October, 2002 with option for a one year renewal. The contract was renewed for one year starting October, 2003 with an additional $250,000 for the year, totaling $500,000 for the entire contract. Payment: No Charges are collected from Client. Clinic invoices FCNMHP at least once a month, sending documentation along with certificates and completed Monthly Surgery Report. FCNMHP inspects the certificates and attached documentation for completeness. Any certificates that are not accompanied by proper documentation are returned to clinic for completion. FCNMHP invoices the city for all surgeries in each two week period and upon receipt of funds from the city reimburses participating clinics. Checks are usually issued within 60 days. Clinic Surgery Summary: Our goal is to increase the number of pet sterilizations in our community. To ensure we are doing that we ask each of our participating clinics to provide us with statistics as to the number of surgeries performed at their hospitals under each of our programs, programs for other groups and for their regular clients. This information will be kept confidential and only reported as a total number for the community. The importance of this information can not be understated as we struggle to ensure we are effective in our efforts. In addition this information is used to compile data for a baseline for surgeries to chart our progress from year to year and to make our community eligible for grant funding from such sources as Maddie’s Fund and other large foundations. Qualification and Documentation: Clients who appear to qualify are given a list of participating clinics to make an appointment for their pet. Clinics are issued a supply of blank certificates; one certificate must be fully completed for each surgery. It is the responsibility of the clinic to ensure certificate is properly completed and copies of satisfactory documentation are attached to each certificate. We are not allowed to accept incomplete or improperly documented certificates for payment, they will be returned to clinic to properly complete or to obtain satisfactory documentation. Detailed instructions for proper documentation are enclosed. Participation Level: Clinics take calls and set appointments. Qualification can be done at time of surgery or before hand. Veterinarians may decide what level to participate by simply deciding when to schedule appointments. Clinics are also able to participate by enlisting only to work with their existing clients who may qualify as low-income and have unaltered pets. Limited Participation for Clinic Clients: We realize that some clinics have as many clients as they can handle and we are able to offer limited participation to these clinics. With limited participation clinics simply offer the program to their existing clients who may qualify. These clinics would not be on the list of participating clinics mailed to hot line callers. Promotion by FCNMHP: FCNMHP promotes the program heavily through our contacts with ClearChannel Communications, including advertising on their seven local radio stations and through extensive use of outdoor billboards. In addition we make information on the program available at local shelters and government assistance program offices. Appearances are made on local television and radio programs promoting SpayJax. We can supply you with posters and brochures for your office and road signs to place near your business. Joint Promotions with Clinics: A co-op promotional program has been established to encourage participating clinics to help promote the program. FCNMHP is willing to participate financially and otherwise in helping individual clinics to promote the program. We are currently working with several clinics to use television public service announcements to promote responsible pet ownership and sterilization and the SpayJax program in particular. This has been extremely successful in increasing sterilizations. Clinics sponsoring PSA’s are listed along with phone numbers urging needy citizens to call for more information on this program. Cost of promotions varies, however a very effective campaign can be undertaken for around $750 for each participating clinic. Financial participation in any of these promotional campaigns is completely optional to clinics. FCNMHP is willing to consider participating in any innovative ideas to help promote pet sterilization and the SpayJax program in particular. Hotline Calls: We feel that one of our best chances for completing effective sterilizations is to ensure that all contacts from the spay and neuter hotline have every opportunity to get their pets altered. In addition to our hot line personnel contacting all callers by telephone whenever possible each caller is mailed detailed program information. Additionally a list of callers to our spay and neuter hotline can be delivered by email to participating clinics on a regular basis. This list will include caller’s name, program they appeared to qualify for and their contact phone number. Clinic employees are welcome and encouraged to contact these prospects to offer assistance in getting their pets altered. Back to main index |
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