Info

Remote Area Medical (RAM) was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization devoted to providing free medical, dental and veterinary care to humans and animals in areas of need throughout the United States and internationally. To date, RAM has provided over 19 million dollars in free medical care and has treated over 60,000 animals. The focus of RAM's Veterinary division is to improve animal health and welfare and to support the people who care for and depend upon animals for their livelihood. Their work involves companion animals as well as livestock, and is accomplished with the support of hundreds of people including veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants, and countless other volunteers devoted to animal welfare. The vision of RAM Veterinary Director, Bruce Langlois DVM, is a concept to help lower the euthanasia rate of healthy, adoptable animals throughout the nation. With the help of Dr. Brenda Kennedy, he has developed this manual to provide instruction on implementing an intensive spay/neuter clinic. A goal has been set to spay or neuter 100,000 animals through a series of these clinics hosted throughout the U.S. and other areas in need worldwide. This program will achieve the desired goal of reducing pet overpopulation, and will have far-reaching impacts on many other aspects of animal welfare within the community. These effects include adoption of altered pets, which will in turn result in lower pregnancy rates and reduced strain on limited resources, stronger volunteer and donor bases, improved media relations, and the creation of alliances with local veterinarians. In this manual you will find information on how to implement a successful RAM spay/neuter clinic. In addition to instruction on organizing the surgery component of such a clinic, it also contains information on fund-raising, media coverage, volunteer recruitment, and adoption events. A key element to organizing such an event is the involvement of the local community. Collaboration with local veterinarians, volunteers, shelter and rescue groups, philanthropic organizations and local businesses is essential for a successful event, and a subsequent sustainable adoption program. RAM Vet is here to provide any assistance you may need. If you have questions or concerns about anything, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Bruce Langlois directly. He can be reached via e-mail at brucelangloisdvm@yahoo.com or at his office at (616) 897-8484. Dr. Langlois can also assist you in contacting your local veterinarians. A preparation period of at least 3 months should be allotted to organize the event. It is estimated that 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters every year and 3 to 4 million of those are euthanized annually. The goal of this manual is to empower one motivated individual at each location with the resources he or she needs to run an efficient and effective spay/neuter clinic on an annual basis. With the help of RAM, we can wipe out the unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in the United States (and then the world?) in our lifetimes. The members of RAM are excited to have you as a part of our team. We have no doubt that your participation will leave you with a great sense of accomplishment. The RAM Spay/Neuter Clinic Manual can be obtained by contacting Dr. Bruce Langlois DVM. Please email him at brucelangloisdvm@yahoo.com. In your email, include the following information: Your Name and contact information, along with the name and contact information for your organization. Bruce looks foward to hearing from you.