about

 
About ACC&D
Roots
ACC&D was founded in 2000 by Drs. 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. A Scientific Advisory Board was added in 2008.

Vision
We envision a world where wide use of non-surgical sterilants effectively reduces the number of unwanted cats and dogs.

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.

Values
Leadership and Advocacy: We are a leader in advocating for research into and implementation of non-surgical sterilization.
Sound Science: We base this work in sound science.
Partnership: We leverage partnerships and networks for the good of the cause.
Integrity: We act with integrity in all processes and relationships.

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.

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. You can review our IRS Form 990 and/or make a donation by clicking here.

Links
Directors, Advisors and Staff
Contact Us
Donate
Financial Information
FAQ

About Non-Surgical Pet Contraception and Sterilization
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.
Get Involved
-Find out how you can help make this goal a reality
FAQ

About 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!

ACC&D is also proud to be working with our strategic partner, the Found Animals Foundation, which is offering a $25 million prize for the first entity to provide a single dose sterilant for male and female cats and dogs, as well as up to $50 million in grants to support research toward that end. For more information, read the prize press release and visit the Found Animals Foundation website.

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

Below we’ve included brief descriptions of some of the more promising approaches. Only sterilants and contraceptives lasting at least six months are included here. For a more thorough review of recent research, please click on the Resources and Symposia link to view symposia proceedings and other sources of information.

Neutersol®/Esterilsol™
From: Neutersol is not currently under production. Esterilsol is manufactured and distributed in Mexico by Ark Sciences.
Status: Neutersol was the first permanent injectable sterilant approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. Neutersol was introduced in 2003 but became unavailable in 2005 after the patent-holder and the marketing company parted ways. The same compound, marketed as Esterilsol in Mexico, became available in September 2008. Ark Sciences has announced plans to expand distribution throughout Latin America and beyond.
What It Is: Neutersol/Esterilsol 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.  Esterilsol is registered in Mexico.
ACC&D Perspective: Zinc gluconate (the active ingredient in Neutersol/Esterilsol) 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 field trial 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.
For More Information: Click here to access several resources related to EsterilSol and Neutersol, and visit the Ark Sciences web site.

Infertile®
From: Distributed by Rhobifarma in Brazil.
Status: Infertile is approved by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture. The product was launched in Brazil on March 3, 2009.
What It Is: Infertile is an injectable sterilant for male dogs administered via a single injection into each testicle. Studies show that the product provides permanent sterilization to 72% of dogs in one treatment. The product ingredients include zinc gluconate, arginine (as a neutralizing agent) and DMSO. Infertile is similar to EsterilSol and Neutersol but with important differences.
ACC&D Perspective: Our concerns about Infertile include the relatively small sample size included in the safety studies and the 72% effectiveness rate. With further study, and possible refinement of formulation, Infertile has potential to aid in advancing sterilization programs in Brazil.
For More Information: Read our preliminary statement in English or in Portuguese. You can also access the Infertile package insert  and the instructions for use (distributed with the product).

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 and now available in several EU countries, with plans to expand to more. Peptech has announced plans to seek approval for future global use.
What It Is: A deslorelin (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. Suprelorin may be able to be used in cats with longer efficacy than in dogs. ACC&D is working with Peptech to pursue this possibility further, as we believe even a long-term contraceptive (3 or more years) may be able to play a meaningful role in feral cat population management.
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. No current plans for introduction.
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. Unfortunately, the product is not currently being manufactured, so further study on the potential use in cats is on hold.
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: GonaCon has been approved by the EPA for use in deer and other cervids. Separate studies underway assess potential for use in dogs and 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.

Product Profile and Position Papers (PPPPs)
ACC&D is working to build a library of PPPP's on contraceptive and sterilant technologies which are currently available. Please note that for  most currently-available approaches do not meet our priorities of being demonstrated to be safe, effective, and permanent in one treatment. However, because these products are available, we often receive questions about them, and we hope the information in these documents will help those who are considering these products make the best decision for the animals in their care. Please visit again soon as we'll be adding products to this section routinely.

Megestrol Acetate (MA) Product Profile and Position Paper 

FeralStat™ Product Profile and Position Papers