about

 
About ACC&D
Our Roots
ACC&D was founded in 2000 by Dr.s Henry Baker, Stephen Boyle and Brenda Griffin. Since then ACC&D has held three international symposia to facilitate networking and information sharing in the field. During a strategic retreat in 2005, ACC&D created a plan for vastly increased impact. Subsequently, ACC&D hired its first staff members, expanded its Board of Directors, and incorporated as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization in 2006.

Our Mission
To expedite the successful introduction of methods to non-surgically sterilize dogs and cats and to support the distribution and promotion of these products to humanely control cat and dog populations worldwide.

Our Agenda for Advancement
1. Seek partnerships and take action to get zinc gluconate used in effective population control programs in the U.S. and worldwide to save the lives of dogs.
2. Lead efforts to advance most promising approaches for non-surgical sterilization or long-term (+/= 3 years) contraception for female dogs and cats.
3. Raise $10 million to advance both male and female technology projects.
4. Identify and build demand for non-surgical sterilants, primarily through outreach in strategic alliances.
Audiences: pet owners, animal welfare organizations, veterinarians.
5. Conduct consumer research to determine the market opportunity for these products, and for guidance on best messages to effectively market both the product concept and products to key audiences: pet owners, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations.
6. Engage key individuals in roles on the Board of Directors or as advisors to best move this work forward.

Our Priorities for Non-Surgical Products for Pet Population Control
• Approved by regulatory agencies as safe (for animals and for the humans administering) and effective.
•  Permanent, though there may be some opportunity for long-term (3+ years) products.
•  Deliverable in a single injection or treatment.
•  Products available for effective use in both male and female, dogs and cats.
•  Documented effects on behavior and health.
•  Can be provided at affordable rates for use in indigent or low-income client populations.

Our Nonprofit Status and Funding
ACC&D is incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS. We are funded entirely by charitable contributions from individuals and organizations. Please help us reach our goals by making a tax-deductible donation today.

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Directors, Advisors and Staff
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FAQ
2007 Annual Report

About Non-Surgical Pet Contraception
Sterilization has long been recognized as the most effective means of controlling pet populations. Yet with the enormous number of owned and unowned cats and dogs in the U.S., the sterilization programs currently available are not enough. Spay/neuter requires anesthesia, a sterile surgical suite, a licensed veterinarian, recovery time, incision site observation, and more. In the U.S. alone, approximately 4.5 million animals are killed in shelters each year simply because they have no place else to go. We are not reaching enough of the cats and dogs at greatest risk of contributing to those numbers.

The situation in many other parts of the world is much more desperate. In dozens of under-developed nations, poverty is endemic. Veterinary access and financial resources are simply not at the needed levels for population control via surgical sterilization to be a real possibility. Municipal animal care and control systems are primitive or non-existent and surplus pets are often killed by archaic methods such as drowning and electrocution. Rabies is widespread and rabies control programs in many countries offer an existing infrastructure for delivery of non-surgical contraceptives, once they are available.

These are the reasons ACC&D was formed, and we hope you’ll help us achieve our goal: safe, effective, accessible sterilization for cats and dogs everywhere!

Links
News
-Visit our News page for links to articles, press releases, and online forums and blogs.
ACC&D Symposium Report
-A brief report highlighting the progress and status of several non-surgical approaches in various stages of development, approval, and distribution.
Message from the President
-ACC&D president Joyce Briggs describes why we need non-surgical contraceptives
Get Involved
-Find out how you can help make this goal a reality
FAQ

Who's Involved
Because of the tremendous lifesaving potential of non-surgical pet sterilization, ACC&D has the support of animal welfare, veterinary, academic, foundation, and other organizations. With letters of support written by organizations ranging from the American Veterinary Medical Association to Best Friends Animal Society to the New York Centers for Animal Care and Control, ACC&D is able to demonstrate the urgency and demand for non-surgical sterilants to pharmaceutical companies and investors. By spreading the word about this important cause through their organization's media, our Organizational Partners help raise awareness, stimulate demand, and prepare markets for the introduction of these products. Please visit our Organizational Partners Program page to learn more about who's involved in this critical work, and to find out how you can join us!

About Current Approaches 
ACC&D’s Priorities for Non-Surgical Products for Pet Population Control:

• Approved by regulatory agencies as safe (for animals and for the humans administering) and effective.
• Permanent, though there may be some opportunity for long-term (3+ years) products.
• Deliverable in a single injection or treatment.
• Products available for effective use in both male and female, dogs and cats.
• Documented effects on behavior and health.
• Can be provided at affordable rates for use in indigent or low-income client populations.

Below we’ve included brief descriptions of some of the more promising approaches. For a more thorough review of recent research, please see the Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods of Pet Population Control.

Neutersol®
From: Abbott Laboratories
Status: Neutersol is approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. Neutersol is currently unavailable. However the patent holder is working with Abbott Animal Health, which will be manufacturing and distributing the product in the U.S. Release is anticipated in early 2009.
What It Is: Neutersol is an intratesticular injection of zinc gluconate neutralized by arginine. Neutersol is approved by the FDA for use in male dogs from 3 to 10 months of age, though it has been shown to be safe and effective for adult dogs through off-label use. 
ACC&D Perspective: Zinc gluconate (the active ingredient in Neutersol) is the only non-surgical pet sterilant approved as safe and effective for use in the U.S. Zinc gluconate is cheaper and easier to administer than surgical sterilization. A 10,000 dog study in Mexico has demonstrated both safety and efficacy in adult dogs and in large field programs. ACC&D believes that zinc gluconate is a promising international tool for population control. In addition to working with Abbott on the introduction of Neutersol in the U.S., ACC&D is exploring two opportunities for helping to bring a generic version of the product to Mexico in 2008.
For More Information: Read the proceedings from the Neutersol session at ACC&D's Third International Symposium.

Suprelorin®
From: Peptech Animal Health
Status: Approved and available for use in male dogs in Australia (6-month and 12-month doses) since December 2004 and New Zealand (6-month dose only) since September 2005. Received EU regulatory approval March 2007 and hopes to make the product available in the European Union in 2008. Peptech has announced plans to seek approval for future global use.
What It Is: A deslorin (GnRH agonist) implant for male dogs resulting in sterility for 6 or 12 months (both durations available).
ACC&D Perspective: Because Suprelorin is not permanent, it is not an ideal product for population control. However, we believe Suprelorin may have potential to fill a niche in certain cases, such as when dogs must be held after rescue from natural disasters, or as evidence in court cases.
For more information: Visit Peptech Animal Health’s web site and read ACC&D's interview with Peptech's Paul Schober. 

Gonazon®
From: Intervet/Schering-Plough
Status: Received regulatory approval in November 2006 in the European Union.
What It Is: The active ingredient, azagly-nafarelin, is a GnRH agonist. A silicone implant provides one-year reversible contraception for female dogs.
ACC&D Perspective: While this does not fit the profile of a permanent tool for population management programs, we believe there is lifesaving potential with this approach. Early studies of Gonazon use in cats show three years of contraception. ACC&D commissioned population modeling to look at the potential of using Gonazon to control feral cat populations in the U.S. After receiving quite promising results of that modeling, ACC&D is pursuing a strategic partnership with the makers of Gonazon to move to the next step of this exploratory process.
For More Information: Review materials from Dr. Marc-Antoine Driancourt’s presentation on Gonazon at the 2006 ACC&D Symposium.

GonaCon™
From: National Wildlife Research Center of the USDA
Status: Data is being submitted to the EPA initially for approval for use in deer and other cervids. Separate studies underway assess potential for use in dogs and feral cats.
What It Is: A GnRH vaccine developed and tested for use in several wildlife species, and the basis for a vaccine being assessed for use in cats.
ACC&D Perspective: GonaCon has been shown (in preliminary research) to be effective in approximately 75% of female cats for 2 and ½ years to date. Because GonaCon is assumed to not be permanent and is not effective in 100% of animals, it is not ideal. We look forward to receiving and reviewing additional data as work on this approach progresses.
For More Information: Review materials from Dr. Kathleen Fagerstone's and Dr. Gary Killian's presentations at the 2006 ACC&D Symposium.

Canine Gonadotropin Releasing Factor Immunotherapeutic
From: Pfizer Animal Health
Status: Has received conditional approval from the FDA. (Available now.)
What It Is: A GnRH vaccine developed and marketed for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common health problem in post-pubescent, intact male dogs. While not labeled for use as a contraceptive, a side effect of the treatment is contraception and a reduction or elimination of testosterone-related behaviors. Administered via subcutaneous injection. Repeated every six months.
ACC&D Perspective: While this treatment does not meet our priority of being permanent or long-term, we are excited to see the first GnRH vaccine approved for use in dogs in the U.S. We believe there may be some potential niche use for this product.
For More Information: Click here to read the product profile from Pfizer.

ChemSpay®
From: Senestech
Status: Early stage development (dose levels, formulation) in dogs. Preliminary work in cats.
What It Is: An industrial chemical that has been shown to deplete the ovarian follicles and cause sterility in rodents. Some preliminary data showing this effect is also seen in dogs.
ACC&D Perspective: This approach is in the very early stages of development. We are in contact with Senestech and look forward to receiving and reviewing additional information as their work progresses. 
For More Information: Review materials from Dr. Loretta Mayer’s presentation on ChemSpay at the 2006 ACC&D Symposium.

About this Web Site
ACC&D's web site (www.acc-d.org) is the only web site entirely devoted to the subject of non-surgical contraception of cats and dogs. Our goal is to offer you an excellent resource for all your questions about non-surgical cat and dog contraception.

Please use the menu bar at the top of the page to access ACC&D Symposium Proceedings, news and updates, and ways you can get involved. Through the portals on our home page, you can access information most appropriate for your interests. You can also use the links on the right to donate, join our free email update list, and sign the petition for non-surgical pet contraception. If you have questions or comments about our web site, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you!