Mackenzie Gallegos, a 2018 DVM graduate of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, was one of 28 students to receive this year’s Veterinary Student Innovation Award. The award, presented by Merck Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, recognizes graduating seniors in good academic standing who demonstrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative, forward thinking. Gallegos won the award for her work with the College’s Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release program, deemed the Barn Cat Project. 

The Barn Cat Project aimed to improve the lives of Michigan barn cats and provide students with hands-on surgical experience. It was modeled after similar ventures at other institutions, most notably Operation Catnip, a nonprofit founded by the director of the shelter medicine program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Operation Catnip runs a targeted TNR program in Gainesville, Florida, carried out entirely by volunteers, including veterinary students. 

Following their model, staff, faculty, and students at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine work together a few times a year to spay and neuter Michigan barn cats, which tend to overpopulate farms and other rural areas. Using vaccines donated by Merial, a multinational animal health company, the cats are also vaccinated for rabies and standard feline viral diseases. After the cats have been through treatment, their left ears are tipped to indicate they have been through the program. Because Michigan’s cold winters can result in frost bite on cat’s ears, their skin also is tattooed with a small amount of green ink.

One challenge faced by those involved in the Barn Cat Project was trapping the cats. Barn cats can be difficult to handle, and the traps designed to catch them would often catch other animals, such as raccoons. But most of the challenges were logistical. “The faculty and staff donated their time and the students were always so excited to interact with them on a less formal level,” says Gallegos. “However, scheduling can be tricky.” She explains that the project was organized entirely by students and consistency with who ran the clinics was often difficult. 

Despite these challenges, the Barn Cat Project was successful. “The program helped a largely forgotten population of cats live healthier lives, and helped veterinary students feel like they were learning and making a difference,” says Gallegos.

Gallegos has a soft spot for homeless animals, and hopes her experience helping barn cats will remind her to keep them in mind as she continues to work with shelters throughout her veterinary medical career. She is currently participating in the Maddie’s Shelter Internship at Cornell University. After her internship, she plans to continue pursuing shelter medicine, with the goal of working in a shelter program run by an academic institution.

“It was an honor to be nominated by my classmates to receive this award,” says Gallegos. “It was a huge group effort, and so many people generously donated time, money, and energy, so I am truly honored to receive the award with all of them in mind.”