SPAY DAY 2003

 Led by the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF), Spay Day USA is America's premier national day of action to promote the spaying or neurtering of companion animals. There are three important reasons for having a Spay Day USA event each year:

·                     To raise the public's awareness of the severe companion animal overpopulation problem-particularly of cats and dogs-in the United States and throughout the world.

·                     To promote spay/neuter surgery as a primary means of addressing companion animal overpopulation. 

·                     To inspire each humane American to take personal responsibility for preventing the births of surplus litters by sponsoring the spaying or neutering of at least one companion animal or feral cat.

 On Spay Day 2003 staff volunteers at New Hope Animal Hospital spayed 10 dogs and 16 cats, and we neutered 6 dogs and 7 cats for low-income families. The word volunteer should be emphasized…our staff came in on their day off to work as a team and perform these surgeries! We are acutely aware of the massive overpopulation problem in the United States and deal with strays and unplanned pregnancies daily! This opportunity gives us a chance to benefit our community and our beloved friends, the animals.

The patients waited patiently for their turn. One client was able to trap 6 feral cats (wild) that had been populating and re-populating the neighborhood for years. We slowed that neighborhood down!

The staff was glad to be there! Receptionists checked clients in, nurses prepared the patients and cleaned surgical packs, and doctors preformed the surgeries. Pictured is Lynn Life, a senior veterinary student from Louisiana State University who was a preceptor at our hospital during the month of February.

The nurses and technicians gave administered preanesthetic drugs to the patients. Lynn is restraining this cat while Erin gives an IV injection. It is there to be spayed.

Dani is holding a cat for an IV injection. This medication allows the patient to be clipped and scrubbed for surgery. This cat was also there to be spayed.

As Dr. Hayden and Crystal hold the cat, Bethany is clipping the hair off the abdomen where the spay incision will be. After clipping a surgical scrub is used followed by alcohol and iodine.

Neatness counts!

A female boxer has an endotracheal tube inserted into her trachea. Oxygen and isoflurane gas is delivered through the tubes to the patient. This controls the depth of anesthesia. Our skilled nurses are trained to carefully monitor the patient while it is anesthetized. We have electronic monitors available as well. 

Crystal is happy things are going well for the Boxer!     

Bethany has her hand under the drape of this small patient so she can feel the heart and breathing. The surgeon is able to work more efficiently if a nurse monitors anesthesia.  

Dani is in charge of this big fella who came to get neutered. Neutering decreases dominance aggression, decreases roaming and prevents testicular or prostatic disease and cancer.

The patient is always draped with a sterile drape and sterile instruments are used, so that a sterile surgical site is maintained.

The surgical packs all have to be cleaned and sterilized. Angie is diligently preparing one for the next patient. We had nine packs and 25 surgeries on that morning so one of the important things that kept things flowing was keeping the packs autoclaved. Angie did a brilliant job coordinating their use.  

  back to top