Saving Animals in Shelters through Teaching (SAST) Program
Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Care and Education
Our Program
The Saving Animals in Shelters by Teaching (SAST) Program at Colorado State University’s Center for Companion Animal Studies is dedicated to saving the lives of shelter animals while providing exceptional surgical training to veterinary students, interns, and residents. Under the direction of Dr. Michael R. Lappin, ALL THE INITIALS AND CHAIR INFO, and Surgical Director Dr. Catriona M. MacPhail, ALL THE INITIALS, this program has become a vital part of CSU, recognized as the #2 vet school in the US by U.S. News & World Report.
The SAST program offers heavily discounted surgical procedures to animals in shelters or rescues, identified by local shelters as adoptable after costly surgery. With a 100% success rate, the program saves 40-50 shelter animals annually and trains 150 veterinary students and residents, providing them with hands-on experience above and beyond the typical curriculum. Our program thrives because of the work of dedicated educators and shelter animal advocate volunteers.
Founders, Supporters, and the Legacy of Naniboujou
The program was established by Dr. Miranda Spindel, the first shelter resident in the Center for Companion Animal Studies, with initial funding from PetSmart Charities. We are grateful to Purina PetCare, an ongoing sponsor dedicated to veterinary education and animal welfare. The key element of SAST’s funding is Naniboujou’s Legacy for Saving Animals in Shelters through Teaching. Naniboujou was a big dog with a big life. Abandoned as a puppy plagued by chronic health issues, her owners, inspired by the program's life-saving work, established this fund to subsidize the surgical costs, ensuring more shelter animals get the second chance they deserve.
Your Support Makes a Difference
Through its life-saving surgeries and educational mission, SAST ensures that many shelter animals receive the medical care they need to become healthy and find their forever homes. To continue and expand our mission, we need your support:
• $25,000 per year will allow us to provide all procedures at no cost to shelters/rescues.
• $60,000 per year will enable us to increase the number of surgeries and support dedicated staffing.
• A one-time donation of $1,500,000 will endow the program in perpetuity, saving an untold number of lives.
Join us in our mission to save lives and educate future veterinarians. Your generosity can give animals like Naniboujou another chance at a forever home. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our donors and sponsors, especially Purina PetCare, whose ongoing support helps us continue our vital work.