In a proactive effort to reduce shelter overcrowding and help pet families struggling to afford veterinary care, C.A.R.E.4Paws and Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) will host a large-scale spayathon and walk-in pet wellness clinic, Sunday, Aug. 17 at the SBCAS shelter in Santa Maria at 548 W. Foster Road.
The event, open to families in need in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, aims to curb unplanned litters, lower intake numbers at local shelters, and keep pets healthy and with the families who love them — a core mission for C.A.R.E.4Paws and SBCAS, the organizations said.
“Spaying/neutering not only reduces pet homelessness, but it decreases the risk for family pets to get life-threatening diseases and can help eliminate unwanted behaviors, like roaming, marking and reactivity to other animals,” said Isabelle Gullö, executive director/cofounder of C.A.R.E.4Paws.
“We’re proud to partner with SBCAS to increase access to care for those who need it most and help keep pets with their people for life,” she said.
At the Spayathon, four veterinary teams will perform dozens of dog and cat spay/neuter surgeries, an expansion in response to long wait lists caused by high community need and nationwide veterinary staff shortages.
Surgeries, to be performed in C.A.R.E.4Paws’ two mobile units and inside SBCAS shelter clinic, are offered for free or for a donation for low-income families (a small fee applies for post-op medication and e-collar).
The procedures are offered for free, thanks to two matching grant challenges from the John J. and Frank Sparacio Foundation and local nonprofit ResQcats. Donations toward surgeries are matched, dollar for dollar, through the donation match in an effort to engage community support for the spayathon.
From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., C.A.R.E.4Paws also offers low-cost vaccines, flea treatment, deworming medication, and nail trims for dogs and cats on a walk-in, first-come, first-serve basis. Microchips are free thanks to a sponsorship from SBCAS.
“We see more and more pet families struggling to access affordable care,” said Sarah Aguilar, SBCAS director. “Events like this reduce the number of animals entering our shelter system and ensure pets stay where they belong — at home.
“These collaborations empower us to create safety nets, improve health and honor the profound human-animal bond.”
C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a similar clinic Sept. 21 in Paso Robles at Pioneer Park, with support from SLO County Animal Services.
The goal is to provide bimonthly spayathons through 2025 and 2026.
For more about C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach, and to inquire about a spayathon appointment, visit care4paws.org/clinicservices.
Learn more about C.A.R.E.4Paws in general and find out how to contribute to the organization at care4paws.org.
To learn more about SBCAS and find adoptable pets, visit countyofsb.org/415/Animal-Services and countyofsb.org/1381/Adoptable-Animal-Search.