Purpose:

1. A Free Fix to the Problem of Unwanted Pets? By: Andrea Torre and Chelsea Parker Purpose: In 2000 No More Homeless Pets in Utah started a voucher program for free spay and neuter of dogs and cats for low income households. This was done to reach a goal of reducing the high euthanasia rates in Utah due to a surplus of unwanted animals. Using data from prior to the operation (1999) and last year (2009), we will test to see if there has been a significant reduction in euthanasia due to an increase of voucher redemption. We will also use data from 2009 and 2010 voucher redemption to show that voucher use has increased. Analysis: We use two sample hypothesis tests to determine if there is significant change from one group of data to the next. Euthanasia: Summary: (1999) mean- 3464.9 standev-1072.8 (2009) mean-2919 standev-835.4 Two sample F-test to determine if variances are equal. F-Stat: 1.649 P-Value: 0.420 Then a two sample T-test was performed. H0 : μ1 - μ2 = 0 HA : μ1 - μ2 > 0 T-Stat: 1.391 P-Value: 0.089 Voucher Use: Summary: (2009) mean-220.8 standev-65.1 (2010) mean-343.1 standev-74.7 Two sample F-test to determine if variances are equal F-Stat: .758 P-Value: .654 Then a two sample T-test was performed. H0 : μ1 - μ2 = 0 HA : μ1 - μ2 < 0 T-Stat: -4.004 P-Value: .0004 Data Collection: Detailed records of euthanasia rates and vouchers issued and used have been kept over the years. By obtaining statewide monthly euthanasia totals from 1999 and 2009, as well as monthly voucher redemption totals from 2009 and 2010 we can use them for a two sample hypothesis test. • Obstacles: • Originally we were doing: • A direct analysis on 2009 to 2010 euthanasia and vouchers used. Dropped because of lag time. • Euth. rate/Vouchers by county; dropped because monthly statistics made more sense and are more useful. • A time series. Techniques unavailable. Conclusion: At a 10% level there is sufficient evidence to support our claim that the rate of euthanasia in Utah has decreased since the introduction of the free fix vouchers, from almost 41,600 animals killed annually before the voucher program in 1999, to a drop of approximately 16% (approximately 7,000 animals a year) in 2009. Our data also shows an increase in voucher use every year. Though voucher redemption has increased this does not mean it is the cause of the drop in euthanasia. Correlation is not causation.