016: Advancing Spay/Neuter: Inside United Spay Alliance's High-Quality, High-Volume Wet Labs with Brianna Lovell Myers

On this episode of United We Spay, Stacy welcomes Brianna Lovell Myers, the Administrative Director of the United Spay Alliance. Brianna shares her compelling journey and deep passion for promoting accessible spay-neuter services.

Growing up in a low-income household, Brianna witnessed firsthand the challenges of managing cat overpopulation without affordable spay-neuter options. These personal experiences have fueled her commitment to finding better solutions for animal welfare. We explore the various initiatives she leads, such as the Wet Lab Program, which provides crucial hands-on training for veterinarians in high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter techniques.

Stacy and Brianna explore the intricacies of the Wet Lab Program, a hands-on veterinary training initiative focused on enhancing spay-neuter skills. The program is designed to address the shortage of available appointments and skilled surgeons by providing veterinarians from diverse backgrounds, including those in private practices, with the opportunity to learn and perform surgeries in a supportive environment. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the confidence boost and skill enhancement it provides. The program is a collaborative effort, and we invite more veterinarians to get involved and enhance their surgical capabilities.

We also discuss the logistical and supportive aspects of running a successful high-volume spay-neuter clinic. Each element is vital, from coordinating with shelters and rescues to ensure a steady flow of animals to setting up clinic spaces and securing financial and organizational support. We underscore the importance of experienced veterinary technicians and the financial assistance available, such as continuing education credits. Furthermore, we explore the United Spay Alliance's mission to expand spay-neuter access and support across states, emphasizing collaborative efforts, a comprehensive directory of resources, and innovative programs like the vet shortage task force.

Join us as we highlight the vital importance of prevention in animal welfare and share upcoming events designed to engage and educate.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Brianna Lovell Myers’s journey and dedication to making spay-neuter services more accessible, particularly in low-income communities
• Overview of the Wet Lab Program, providing hands-on training for veterinarians to perform high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter surgeries
• Insights into the logistical challenges of running a high-volume spay-neuter clinic and the importance of strategic planning and support networks
• The collaborative efforts of the United Spay Alliance to expand spay-neuter services and address veterinary care shortages
• Positive feedback from veterinarians participating in the Wet Lab sessions and the confidence boost it provides
• The comprehensive directory and support programs like the Vet Shortage Task Force and Feline Fix by Five initiative
• Upcoming events, webinars, and online conferences aimed at engaging and empowering animal welfare advocates

Resources from this Episode

• United Spay Alliance: unitedspayalliance.org
• Feline Fix by Five: felinefixbyfive.org

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