What is C-SNIP?
Community Spay/Neuter Initiative Partnership—C-SNIP—is a non-profit, 501(C) (3) organization whose mission is to significantly reduce the over-population of DOGS and CATS in West Michigan by providing low-cost spay/neuter services and by supporting all efforts that promote humane population control.

Why did C-SNIP start?
C-SNIP was formed in late 1998 by a small group of individuals who wanted to address the need for a reduced-fee dog and cat sterilization clinic open to the public. To make the service accessible to all, they decided on a mobile unit. Other local organizations were doing a fine job with sheltering and adoption programs, but were unable to devote much of their budget to prevention. Sadly, they were forced to euthanize thousands of dogs and cats each year because there were simply more animals than could be absorbed by the community.

How is C-SNIP funded?
The Dryer-Ives, Grand Rapids Community and Steelcase Foundations and PETsMART Charities provided the start-up funds. C-SNIP charges fees for spay/neuter surgery and, since that only covers about 1/3 of the expenses, they must be supplemented by donations, fundraising events and underwriting.

Who staffs C-SNIP?
C-SNIP has paid, professional veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and full and part-time office staff. C-SNIP also depends on numerous volunteers to support its efforts. The C-SNIP Board consists of volunteer members who have expertise in animal welfare, education, business, law and fundraising.

Why don't you use volunteer veterinarians?
We wanted to attract capable professionals, commit them to a regular schedule, and work toward expertise in high-volume spay/neuter surgery. This could best be achieved with paid, licensed full time veterinarians.

Who qualifies for C-SNIP's low-cost spay/neuter services?
Anyone caring for a dog or cat may use C-SNIP, but due to limited time, space and funding we give highest priority to financially challenged owners, and those caring for barn, feral, or stray cats.

Why doesn't C-SNIP have a means test? Do people who can afford a vet take advantage of you?
Yes and sometimes this happens. But our experience is that the preponderance of our clients would not have their pets sterilized if it were not for C-SNIP. Even those who can afford a private vet may not value their pets enough to invest in one. We do try to reserve our limited clinic space to those who have no option and encourage those who do to find an affordable veterinarian.

How does C-SNIP work?
The caretaker calls C-SNIP at (616)455-8220 and, if the call is not answered live, leaves a message. We return the call, interview the caretaker, explore options and schedule the animal if it is appropriate for our clinic. We explain the pre-surgical instructions and fee.

How are the fees determined?
Our fees are about 1/3 those at a private clinic. This brings them within the reach of many lower income pet owners. Some owners donate a bit more and some need assistance.

How is C-SNIP different from other animal welfare agencies?
C-SNIP offers no rescue, adoption, or sheltering service. Our sole purpose is to prevent the overpopulation of dogs and cats that need this attention from the existing agencies.

Does C-SNIP work with other animal welfare agencies?
Yes. C-SNIP works closely with the Kent County Animal Shelter, Kent County Humane Society, Vicky's Pet Connection, and many other rescue and shelter groups in West Michigan.

Is C-SNIP medically successful?
Yes. C-SNIP has preformed over 30,000 sterilizations since March 2001, with a negligible mortality rate. This is a remarkably excellent record considering the fact that most of the animals we see have had no previous veterinary care.

Has C-SNIP had an impact on animal over-population in Kent County ?
Every time one more cat or dog is neutered, the problem of over-population is eased. The 30,000 surgeries performed by C-SNIP have prevented 150,000 offspring born with little chance of survival, much less placement in a safe and caring home. It is difficult to measure C-SNIP's specific regional impact since our service is used by caretakers from at least 18 counties.

Why don't you sterilize ferrets, rabbits and other companion animals?
At the moment the overpopulation crisis involves only dogs and cats. These are the animals most often abandoned or relinquished to shelters where most are euthanized

Are there other C-SNIPs?
There are many other spay/neuter clinics throughout the United States and the rest of the world. We researched clinics in New Orleans , Tennessee , California and Texas and then created our own based on our community's needs.

How Can I volunteer?
Call (616)455-8220 and leave your name, the times you are available and any special skills you have. Volunteers help us in the office on the clinic and at special events. We are always looking for volunteers skilled in fundraising.

MEDICAL:

How old must my pet be before it is neutered?
We ask that your pet be at least 2 months and 2 healthy pounds.

Is my pet required to have vaccinations before it is neutered?
No, vaccinations are not necessary to perform spay/neuter surgery. Nevertheless C-SNIP encourages regular veterinary care for every pet so they have the best chance for a long and healthful life.

Why do I have to withhold food for 12 hours before surgery?
Food left in the stomach during surgery can be vomited up while the animal is under anesthesia. An unconscious animal can breathe this material into its lungs, causing a potentially fatal pneumonia. Also, improperly fasted animals have a much higher likelihood of vomiting after you get them home. It is therefore, safest for your animal and less messy for you, if the animal's stomach is empty prior to surgery.

How long will it take my pet to recover?
It depends upon the length of your pet's surgery and their individual metabolism. C-SNIP recommends a minimum of 7 days. Most pets are awake, but disoriented, within 20 minutes following surgery. The disorientation typically subsides before the pet is sent home, though sedation from the pain medication may last for up to 12 hours. Healing of the tissues is in "high-gear" for the next 10 to 14 days. Good nutrition, warmth and rest are especially important at this time. Excessive activity such as running and jumping will stress the sutures and could cause them to break.

How soon can I feed and water my pet after surgery?
Most animals are very excited to be back at home and may eat or drink excessively, causing them to vomit what they just ingested. Waiting 2-3 hours after retuning home allows them to settle down, and allows for residual anesthesia to wear off, which decreases the chance of vomiting.

Will I need to have the stitches removed?
All stitches dissolve internally, unless you are notified otherwise. No further check up is necessary.

Will I need to give my pet pain medication?
NO. Pain medication is administered by the veterinarian at the clinic and nothing further should be given to the pet.

Will there be any swelling at the incision site after surgery?
A small amount of swelling is normal as the implanted suture material dissolves. Some animals may react more than others to the suture and develop a firm lump at the incision, which goes away over time.

Will the incision bleed after surgery?
A small amount of blood seepage from skin blood vessels is normal. It can be cleaned away with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.

Should I bandage or put an antibiotic on the incision?
NO. An animal's first instinct is to lick or chew off anything that is put on them. It is best not to draw additional attention to the incision.

My Aftercare Instructions say to watch for listlessness. What does that mean?
It is normal for your pet to be quieter and have a smaller appetite for a few days after surgery. Not wanting to move around at all and not wanting to eat anything should be reported to the emergency technician.

Is my pet healthier after sterilization?
Yes, sterilizing your pet prevents infections, cancers and tumors related to both male and female sex organs. Sterilizing also prevents certain types of aggressiveness, territorial urine-marking and the urge to roam.

Does C-SNIP sterilize pregnant dogs and cats?
Yes, but there is added risk with the procedure. All animals that have obvious enlargement of the abdomen or mammary glands must by examined by the veterinarian to determine whether this is an acceptable risk to the pet and her owner.

Can you spay a dog while she is in heat?
Yes, but because of the increase in blood loss and probable longer recovery time, we prefer to wait 2-3 weeks until she is out of heat.

Do you spay cats that are in heat?
Yes. There is a high risk that she will become pregnant if we wait until she is out of heat.

How often do dogs and cats come into heat and how long does it last?
Most dogs experience a heat cycle every 6 months. The cycle lasts about 3 weeks. Cats experience the heat cycle an average of 3 times a year, although it can occur more frequently, particularly in the spring and summer. The cycle lasts 3 weeks. If cats are bred, they are almost assured of becoming pregnant.

Does C-SNIP give vaccinations or declaw cats?
No. Our focus is pet overpopulation so spay/neuter surgery is the only service we offer.

Will my cat stop spraying urine after being sterilized?
The longer the spraying behavior goes on, the less likely that sterilization alone will completely stop it. Additional behavior training and medications are sometimes necessary. However, eliminating the sex hormones through sterilization is the first step to eliminating undesirable behavior.

Will my pet calm down after being sterilized?
The drive to find a mate is eliminated and sterilization will help make your pet more trainable.