Riverside Animal Services Completes 539 Spay & Neuter Surgeries in One Week
April 29, 2025
199 Pets Received Free Services at Coachella Valley Animal Campus
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) completed 539 spay and neuter surgeries for shelter and community-owned pets last week, including a mass spay/neuter event at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. The event was held in collaboration with Animal Balance, a non-profit providing veterinary teams to perform high-volume spay/neuter procedures.
Spay and neuter services are part of several vital strategies to reducing animal intake and overcrowding in RivCo shelters. With an ongoing national veterinary shortage, innovative partnerships like these are critical to effectively addressing these challenges.
“We are committed to pursuing creative, community-centered solutions while we continue to recruit new veterinary professionals,” said RCDAS Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Amy Raines.
Nearly 3 of every 4 cats and dogs that enter animal shelters across the nation are unaltered and many pet families struggle to afford these services for pets acquired outside of shelters.
Charly, a four-month-old German Shepherd, was among the first dogs in line for his procedure, and his owner was grateful he made it to the event on Friday.
His owner Jesus Sepulveda said, “I felt at ease knowing my dog was getting treated by staff who are just as passionate about animals as I am. They’re super friendly and helpful, and Charly is doing amazing.”
"I’m committed to supporting more spay and neuter events in the future, and I’m pleased we are able to help the community responsibly care for pets" said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We need to work together to tackle the overcrowding in our shelters, and I’m passionate about increasing lifesaving and helping pets live their best lives.”
RCDAS operates two mobile veterinary clinics that travel throughout Riverside County providing spay and neuter services, vaccinations and wellness exams at low or no-cost to the public, funded by the Board of Supervisors, grants and donations. RCDAS veterinary staff performed 466 of the 539 surgeries last week at shelter clinics and in the community on spay/neuter mobile units.
“Feedback is important, and we will continue listening to community members and support new partnerships to take care of RivCo pets,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez.
If you are interested in spay and neuter events in your area, you can view more information at www.rcdas.org/mobile-wellness.
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Caption: Charly, a four-month-old German Shepherd and his owner, wait in line at the free spay and neuter event at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus on Friday, April 25th, 2025.
