Thank you, Melissa! I really appreciate your trust and support. Accuracy matters, and I’m always committed to getting it right for the animals and the advocates who fight for them.
Glad you separated Michelson out, they put up funding for a second CAMP clinic. We need 10 more. One more game changer that is doable with some political will..always in short supply…is a minimal, relatively painless requirement as part of a business license for vet clinics and/or vets. It would exclude non-profit clinics and solely owned clinics. It would apply to any business that has two or more clinics and/or the vets working in them. Many times vets are working as independent contractors in clinics and carry their own insurance and business licenses. The requirement of the mostly venture capital (VC) owned chains would require they perform XXX number of low cost, voucher surgeries. There are approximately 800 clinics and hospitals in LA and my gut tells me 50-60 percent are VC chains. If the requirement was only 10 per clinic per month it has a minimal impact on individual businesses, a significant impact on animals in the street. The VC backed chains: VCA/Banfield, Thrive, Blue Pearl, VNA, are groups at the heart of this problem because they have driven costs through the roof and that, of course, drives even the mom and pop shops to raise prices. Wall Street understands that people will spend money on their pets when they wouldn’t spend it on themselves. The Street understands that the highest spend per capita are, amazingly, 20 somethings. Why? They are not having kids. So what a beautiful demo they are because they have a 70 year life span in front of them. Long term consumers. If my horrible math serves me well that plan yields about 50,000 animals a year. No tax payer dollars, no donor dollars, just groups who are part of the problem transforming into part of the solution.
Great points, Kelly! The CAMP clinics are a huge step forward, but as you said, we need many more. Your idea for requiring VC-owned chains to contribute to low-cost spay/neuter is smart and entirely doable with the right political will—though that always seems to be the missing ingredient. If just a fraction of these corporate clinics stepped up, the impact would be massive. Turning part of the problem into part of the solution is exactly the kind of thinking we need!
That is great to hear that they are among the good guys. With so many unscrupulous things occurring, it is hard to know who to trust. It’s a shame they associate themselves with the likes of San Diego Humane, PetCo Love, Kristen Hassen, etc. Kind of like the good kid who gets the bad wrap just by hanging out with the rough crowd. Glad to hear also that they are transparent.
Thanks, Kelly! I hear you—it can be tough to know who’s truly committed to real change. That’s why it’s important to recognize those actually making a difference. Michelson Found Animals is investing in real solutions, and I’m glad to set the record straight. Appreciate your insight!
Good I was wondering about that, as they are funding non-invasive sterilization research. I believe the only way we will be able to sustain spay and neuter is thru this method & am excited to hear the result of ispay testing. You should interview Dr CheMyong Jay Ko, he wanted to find a better way to sterilize farm animals as well as cares about the overpopulation crisis. I do not believe he was supported by a Michelson grant, but they can’t find them all.
Thanks, Sharon! Yes, their support for non-invasive sterilization research is another important piece of the puzzle. If successful, it could be a game-changer for sustainable spay/neuter efforts. I’m excited to see where it leads too!
I was very happy to read the good news about Michelson Found Animals Foundation. I have only heard good things about them from animal welfare advocates I trust.
Thank you, M! I’m glad to hear you’ve had positive impressions of Michelson Found Animals as well. It’s always encouraging to see organizations truly investing in real solutions for shelter animals. Appreciate your support!
I appreciate the correction. That is why I trust your analysis
Thank you, Melissa! I really appreciate your trust and support. Accuracy matters, and I’m always committed to getting it right for the animals and the advocates who fight for them.
Glad you separated Michelson out, they put up funding for a second CAMP clinic. We need 10 more. One more game changer that is doable with some political will..always in short supply…is a minimal, relatively painless requirement as part of a business license for vet clinics and/or vets. It would exclude non-profit clinics and solely owned clinics. It would apply to any business that has two or more clinics and/or the vets working in them. Many times vets are working as independent contractors in clinics and carry their own insurance and business licenses. The requirement of the mostly venture capital (VC) owned chains would require they perform XXX number of low cost, voucher surgeries. There are approximately 800 clinics and hospitals in LA and my gut tells me 50-60 percent are VC chains. If the requirement was only 10 per clinic per month it has a minimal impact on individual businesses, a significant impact on animals in the street. The VC backed chains: VCA/Banfield, Thrive, Blue Pearl, VNA, are groups at the heart of this problem because they have driven costs through the roof and that, of course, drives even the mom and pop shops to raise prices. Wall Street understands that people will spend money on their pets when they wouldn’t spend it on themselves. The Street understands that the highest spend per capita are, amazingly, 20 somethings. Why? They are not having kids. So what a beautiful demo they are because they have a 70 year life span in front of them. Long term consumers. If my horrible math serves me well that plan yields about 50,000 animals a year. No tax payer dollars, no donor dollars, just groups who are part of the problem transforming into part of the solution.
Great points, Kelly! The CAMP clinics are a huge step forward, but as you said, we need many more. Your idea for requiring VC-owned chains to contribute to low-cost spay/neuter is smart and entirely doable with the right political will—though that always seems to be the missing ingredient. If just a fraction of these corporate clinics stepped up, the impact would be massive. Turning part of the problem into part of the solution is exactly the kind of thinking we need!
That is great to hear that they are among the good guys. With so many unscrupulous things occurring, it is hard to know who to trust. It’s a shame they associate themselves with the likes of San Diego Humane, PetCo Love, Kristen Hassen, etc. Kind of like the good kid who gets the bad wrap just by hanging out with the rough crowd. Glad to hear also that they are transparent.
Thanks, Kelly! I hear you—it can be tough to know who’s truly committed to real change. That’s why it’s important to recognize those actually making a difference. Michelson Found Animals is investing in real solutions, and I’m glad to set the record straight. Appreciate your insight!
Good I was wondering about that, as they are funding non-invasive sterilization research. I believe the only way we will be able to sustain spay and neuter is thru this method & am excited to hear the result of ispay testing. You should interview Dr CheMyong Jay Ko, he wanted to find a better way to sterilize farm animals as well as cares about the overpopulation crisis. I do not believe he was supported by a Michelson grant, but they can’t find them all.
Thanks, Sharon! Yes, their support for non-invasive sterilization research is another important piece of the puzzle. If successful, it could be a game-changer for sustainable spay/neuter efforts. I’m excited to see where it leads too!
I was very happy to read the good news about Michelson Found Animals Foundation. I have only heard good things about them from animal welfare advocates I trust.
Thank you, M! I’m glad to hear you’ve had positive impressions of Michelson Found Animals as well. It’s always encouraging to see organizations truly investing in real solutions for shelter animals. Appreciate your support!
Great news about MFA!