Big Sky CARES
Changing the ways we think and feel about living with and caring for animals
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
TNR (Trap Neuter Return)
TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) is the most effective method for controlling outdoor community cat populations. Cats are trapped humanely, transported to a veterinarian for spay/neuter and rabies vaccination, and then returned to the place they call home. Cats are hunters and can live long, healthy lives outdoors without human caretakers. Outdoor community cats are at very high risk for euthanasia. TNR allows the population of outdoor community cats to be managed by natural attrition rather than unnecessary euthanasia at municipal shelters.
Indigent Pet Program
We serve an area mired in generational poverty with a lack of education about the importance of basic veterinary care. We routinely receive requests for help because an owned pet has given birth to a litter the owners can't afford to keep. We are also known as a resource for good samaritans who find sick, injured or unattended animals and want to help them but have no means. We do what is needed to help indigent animals become loving, healthy, adoptable pets. We ensure proper medical care for animals strictly through CATNIP's fundraising efforts, which include events, social media appeals and competitive grants.
Neonatal Critical Care and Kitten Socialization Program
We often receive litters of kittens who were birthed by an owned pet whose owners can't afford to care for the entire litter for a lifetime. These unwanted births can be prevented through access to low-cost spay/neuter services. CATNIP's other programs address the lack of access to affordable vet care, but we have a great deal of work to do to make low-cost and no-cost services available to low-income families and impoverished communities across south Louisiana. Until access and education about spay/neuter are vastly improved, we are going to continue receiving litters of unwanted kittens. Those who come from feral cats and dire situations are likely to be sick, malnourished, or both. Our Neonatal Critical Care and Kitten Socialization Program turns kittens at high risk for euthanasia into healthy, socialized, adoptable pets.
Seniors for Seniors Pet Companion Program
Our Seniors for Seniors program celebrates and promotes the health benefits of pet ownership by making it easy for someone on a fixed income to adopt a cat. Adopters who are 65 and older can adopt an older cat (age 7 or older) at a reduced fee of $35. We provide annual health checks and end of life care for the cat.
Barn Cat/Working Cat Program
Some of the cats we rescue at CATNIP are a little wary of humans, and given their circumstances that’s completely understandable. They can still be a productive member of a family, however, by taking on the job of "Barn Cat." This program pairs suitable cats with families or farms that need a superstar mouser to live outdoors on their property. All Barn Cats are spayed/neutered and have received vaccinations and medical care appropriate to their age. Outdoor cats who are more feral in temperament are candidates for our “Working Cats” program, where they can help keep vermin at bay. In return for their work, these cats receive shelter, food and necessary care. Outdoor cats are at high risk for euthanasia in shelters, so our Barn Cat and Working Cat programs save lives.
Affiliate of Rescue Bank, a program from GreaterGood.org
CATNIP serves as the southeast Louisiana regional non-profit affiliate of Rescue Bank, an initiative of GreaterGood.org, which distributes pet food donated by manufacturers and retailers to pre-qualified animal welfare groups based on a national food bank model.
High Volume, Low Cost Spay/Neuter
We conduct weekly transports to the LASPCA in New Orleans where high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services are available. These transports may include anywhere from 40 to 75 cats, including both owned pets and community cats from TNR efforts of our volunteer network and other animal welfare organizations. We meet pet owners at established pick-up points along the interstate to make these low-cost services as accessible as possible. We also conduct regular monthly transports to Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine animal clinic in a similar fashion. Over time, we have cultivated multiple nearby vet partners who volunteer their time and clinic resources to make a limited number of low-cost spay/neuter appointments available locally. Even after achieving this aggressive expansion of accessibility to low-cost care, we have found that we are still inundated by requests for service. For that reason, CATNIP Foundation is set to open an expanded clinic in 2020.
Where we work
External reviews
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Big Sky CARES
Board of directorsas of 03/28/2022
Susan Reyes
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No