The American Humane Association recently awarded a $25,000 grant to the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D), a nonprofit organization focused on advancing methods of sterilizing cats and dogs without surgery.
The organization works with veterinarians, animal welfare professionals, scientists and pharmaceutical companies and will use the funds to advance non-surgical approaches, such as injections, to sterilize pets. Injections would limit the anesthesia, sterile surgical suites and the recovery time that’s required for spay and neuter surgeries.
“Being able to sterilize pets with a simple injection will vastly improve animal protection organizations’ ability to save lives,” said Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane.
ACC&D is planning several pilot projects using Neutersol, a chemical sterilization injection for male dogs by Abbott Animal Health of Abbott Park, Ill. In addition, the organization is looking at the potential of a three-year contraceptive for cats and is establishing a post-doctorate program to explore new technologies.
“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,” said Joyce Briggs, president of the organization. “Raising awareness and demonstrating demand for non-surgical sterilization are critical to ACC&D’s work.”
For details, visit the ACC&D’s website.