OPERATION CATNIP: Idealism in Action

Spay Boards

Staffing:

4

Technicians

ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

ALWAYS VISUALLY VERIFY GENDER!

Check for a vulva or penis.

You will be shown the difference before starting at your station.

Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender.

* Neutered males and cryptorchids will not have visible testicles. *

The Spay Board Station is responsible for verify the gender of the cats; securing female cats and cryptorchid males on spay boards and delivering them to the Spay Prep Station. Also retrieving used spay boards from Recorder or Medications Station, and cleaning for reuse. The Ear Tip Technician will deliver cats to this station.

Technician Instructions

The Spay Board Technicians are responsible for securing female cats and cryptorchid males on the spay boards and verify the sex of each cat.

1) VERIFY the sex of each cat VISUALLY. Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender. CHECK FOR A VULVA OR PENIS. You will be shown the difference before starting at your station. Remember, neutered and cryptorchid males will not have or display testicles. Neutered males and spayed females should be brought to the attention of the Clinic Supervisor. NEVER ASSUME ANY CAT BROUGHT TO SPAY BOARDS IS A FEMALE.

2) MONITOR the cats carefully: respiration (>6/minute), heartbeat (>100/minute), and gum color (pink). If the cat is not breathing well or its gums are blue, pull firmly on the tongue, press a fingernail on the nose leather and NOTIFY THE CLINIC SUPERVISOR immediately.

3) CENTER a spay board across the table so the ropes are accessible under the board at each corner.

4) SECURE pregnant cats and cryptorchid males on their backs. Tie each leg to the spay board by sliding the slip knot in the rope over the elbow or hock joint of each leg, gently tightening the knot, then tying a half hitch (wrap the rope once around the lower leg) closer to the paw.

5) SECURE non-pregnant lactating cats on their sides for flank spays. Position them right side down. Tie the hind legs and front legs together to the board. Slide the slipknot over the elbow or hock joints of both legs, gently tightening the knot, then tying a half hitch (wrap the rope once around the lower legs) closer to the paws.

6) SECURE the rope to the top of the board through one of the slots and slide the rope locks down the rope to the board to hold the cat in place. Bind the cat tightly enough to prevent the cat from rolling to one side, but do not overstretch. If there is a large amount of rope, coil it neatly on the board between the cat’s legs.

7) DELIVER secured cats from the Spay Board Station to the Spay Prep Station in the order in which they are bound.

8) NOTIFY the Spay Prep staff if any cat is a cryptorchid male or flagged as contagious.

9) RETRIEVE each spay board from the Recorder’s Station.

10) CLEAN and disinfect each spay board, stacking them to be reused.

11) PREPARE all the cleaned boards for storage once the last cat has cleared the Recorder’s Station. Stretch the ropes over the board and loosely tie them together. Slide the black catches to the end of the rope (there is a stop knot) then hook the slipknot into the slots at the opposite end of the board. Tighten the slipknot by enlarging the loop to take up extra slack.

12) CLEAN-UP sweep/vacuum your area; wash tables; bag all trash and take to the dumpster; mop the area until no cat odor remains.

13) REPACK the station kit, inventory supplies (see Supply List in the kit). Return the kit, any extra items and the spay boards to the supply storage room.