Inspiring Conversations with Laureen Bartfield DVM CVSMT CVA CERPV of Spay Neuter Assistance Program of NC, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laureen Bartfield DVM CVSMT CVA CERPV.

Hi Laureen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. I rescued and gave a home to just about any animal that graced our farm. But, I did not fulfill my veterinary school dream until going to school at the age of 36. Graduating at the age of 40, I knew that I wanted to do more than treat “Fifi” for a sneeze. I wanted to work in the trenches, helping animals that had no voice and no future without being given the chance. After 6 months in private practice, I moved to spay-neuter and shelter work. I have run the Spay Neuter Assistance Program of NC, a non-profit, low-cost spay neuter group, since 2000 and to date, we have safely sterilized 180,000 dogs and cats in Raleigh and the surrounding 12 counties. During that time, I did some rescue work on my own, but also participated in some large scale operations including dog fighting busts, puppy mill cases and disaster work. That work continues today.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. It is expensive to run a non-profit and fundraising is always challenging. It is always stressful to worry about making payroll and covering other expenses. Rescue work is likewise challenging. There can be a shortage of good, hardworking people, but those that are dedicated and passionate about the mission are worth their weight in gold. There too, finances are often a limiting factor. It is very rewarding however, though there are also some heartbreaking stories. But the good always outweighs the bad.

Those in rescue are often told that you can’t make a difference. That is simply not true. SNAP-NC has made a huge dent in the overpopulation issue in our State. Not only have our teams personally sterilized almost 200,000 pets, but we have mentored other groups around the State on how to set up and run their own spay-neuter practice. And, through our rescue work we have saved countless lives. There are two sayings that I live by. The first is that if you want to save 100 pets, then all you have to do is spay or neuter one! My second motto is that saving the life of one pet won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one pet.

As you know, we’re big fans of Spay Neuter Assistance Program of NC, Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Spay Neuter Assistance Program of NC, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves North Carolinians in need of assistance. Our mission is to address pet overpopulation by offering low-cost spay-neuter services. We do not turn anyone away, but we focus on those pet owners who cannot afford to access a traditional veterinary clinic. We only provide spay-neuter services and basic wellness (core vaccines) at that visit, but do not offer traditional wellness care outside of the surgical visit. This keeps us mission-focused. We have 2 mobile surgical clinics. They are state-or-the-art specially designed mobile surgical units that enable us to go directly into the neighborhoods that need us most. Our surveys show that 80% of the pets that visit us have never been to a veterinary clinic before – that means that they have never even had a rabies vaccine – something that is required by law! Aside from offering a regular low cost service, we also have a subsidy program for true low income pet owners called Prevent Another Litter Subsidy Program or PALS. This program allows us to offer a further reduced price to folks that need even more assistance. Our hospitals are staffed by fully licensed veterinarians, technicians and veterinary assistants. These folks are not volunteers – this is their career and they excel at it! We have long term employees who truly care about each and every pet. We may do 60 surgeries a day, but each pet is treated as if it were our own. I am so proud of my team and blessed to work with these folks. We recognize that pets are afraid when they visit a veterinary clinic and we do our very best to reassure not only the pet, but the pet parents as well. The staff at SNAP-NC, from the office personnel to those working on the mobile hospital, is what makes this company run smoothly, efficiently, and with the best customer service around!

What’s next?
Our plans are to “keep on truckin”! SNAP-NC is a time tested and proven model for addressing the pet-overpopulation problem in our State. There is no way to stop the endless euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats other than to stop them from being born. You cannot adopt or kill your way out of the problem – you have to cut it off at the tap! And by serving the low-income pet owner, we know that we can and are making a difference.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.snap-nc.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snapnc