VEM5342 - Community Cat Management

Course Description

This course will use a combination of self-paced online modules and hands-on clinical training to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to direct a veterinary program aimed at effectively and humanely managing populations of unowned, free-roaming, community cats. Students will explore evidence-based strategies for mitigating the negative impacts of the country’s large population of community cats, including legal, environmental, and public health issues. They will explore the veterinarian’s role in leading programs aimed at improving access to veterinary care and underserved community needs, including socio-economic, animal welfare, and veterinary medical considerations. Students will participate in a cat management field activity to learn about the business and operational aspects of this nonprofit model for cat management and its unique human-animal bond from the client’s perspective. During a daylong MASH-style spay/neuter clinic with Operation Catnip, the local trap-neuter-return program, students will work in all stages of patient care, including anesthesia, examination, preparation, and recovery with a focus on meeting veterinary standards of care in a high-volume setting. They will practice refining surgical technique and efficiency during sequential surgeries with a skilled coach. After completing the course, students will be able to make a compelling case for humane community cat management programs, develop productive collaborations with local organizations and cat caregivers, and organize a large-scale trap-neuter-return clinic.

Course Outline

Link to Course Syllabus

Module 1- Principles of Humane Community Cat Management: Impacts on Public Health, Environment, Animal Welfare

Module 2- Full Circle Cat Management Programs: The Right Outcome for Every Cat; Selecting Outcome Pathways of Adoption, Return to Home, Euthanasia; Saving Kittens; Behavior Assessment; Safety Equipment; Humane Trapping

Module 3- Veterinary Care for Community Cats: Low-Stress Handling; Preventive Healthcare; Anesthesia; Routine Spay/Neuter; Complications; Anomalies; CPR

Module 4- From Theory to Practice: Business Operations, Field Services, and HQHVSN Clinic

Module 4.1- Hands on Training. Physical Exam, Anesthesia, Surgical Techniques, CPR Dry Lab, Clinic Stations Review (UFCVM Clinical Skills Lab, VAB Surgery Suite)

Module 4.2- Hands on Training. Catios, Trap Depots, Kitten Shelter Diversion, Cat Trapping & Management, HQHVSN Clinic Operations, Caregiver Support, Caregiver Visit, Resource Allocation, Funding, Ethical Dilemmas,  meet a caregiver and his cats.

Module 4.3- Hands on Training. Optional Cat Trapping Excursion

Module 4.4- Hands on Training. HQHVSN Spay/Neuter Clinic

Module 4.5- Post-operative assessments, discharge to caregivers, clean facility

Learner Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe how populations of community cats impact public health, the environment, and cat welfare and options for humane community cat management.
2. Select the best outcome for community cats based on their environment, age, physical condition, socialization status, and community needs and resources.
3. Safely and humanely capture, transport, and temporarily house free-roaming cats, assess their suitability for TNR, and differentiate feral cats from reactive tame cats. 
4. Set-up and operate a MASH clinic capable of sterilizing up to 200 cats per day while maintaining safety for patients and staff, maintaining accurate medical records and controlled drug logs, and complying with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians guidelines for high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter programs.
5. Use safe and low-stress techniques to anesthetize feral cats, prepare cats for surgery, administer vaccinations and parasite control, and treat illnesses and injuries as appropriate.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in routine feline spay and neuter surgery and aseptic technique using procedures including ovarian pedicle tie, modified Miller’s knot, spermatic cord tie, and figure-8-knot. 
7. Describe the approach to pregnancy, pyometra, cryptorchidism, congenital anomalies, previous sterilization, and other common conditions encountered in community cats presented for sterilization. 
8. Know how to prevent and appropriately respond to complications, including hemorrhage, dehiscence, hypothermia, pain, hypoglycemia, ovarian remnant syndrome, and anesthetic emergencies, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Notes

Questions?

Please contact Logan Neser

Phone: 352-294-4757

Email: lneser@ufl.edu

Website: https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/

Website to Access Course After Enrolled:

https://elearning.ufl.edu/