WILLITS, CA., 1/13/25 — Starting this week, a mobile spay and neuter van operated by Mendocino County’s Animal Care Services department will once again be making rounds throughout the county.
After a successful trial run last month at the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County, where veterinary technicians set up the van in Redwood Valley and performed 34 surgeries, the van will now travel to other locations across the county to help animal-loving residents.
The mobile spay and neuter van was once fully operational, serving Mendocino County since 1999. However, due to low staffing, vehicle malfunctions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the van gradually stopped making its rounds throughout the county.
Thanks to an anonymous donation of about $100,000, the van will resume its animal care services, with its first event of the year set for Tuesday at JD Redhouse in Willits. There is also a spay and neuter fund, managed by the county, that accumulated $150,000 over the last 20 years from impound fees, and was also used to restore the spay and neuter program.
According to Sarah O’Rourke, a registered veterinarian technician who worked with the county to coordinate the van program, the new van that was purchased for the program cost $250,000. The veterinarians who will be treating animals are contracted and paid for by the county and are licensed specialists who often assist in the mobile van program on their days off. However, O’Rourke noted that it’s difficult to find a sufficient number of veterinarians to fill the high need.
“The veterinarian shortage is something that is happening nationwide, not just our rural area,” O’Rourke said in an interview. “The veterinarian industry is working on coming up with solutions but it’s going to be a long road before we see relief.”
Many of the veterinarians who volunteer with the spay and neuter program work full-time jobs, run their own practices or are retired and offering their expertise.
While spay and neuter surgeries are currently booked up for the event on Tuesday, there will be walk-in appointments available for vaccine services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program also provides microchips, heartworm testing, flea and tick services and deworming.
Vaccine services and surgeries range in cost from $58 to $217, depending on the breed and size of the animal. The SNAP program can provide subsidies for low-income residents who qualify for assistance with service fees. Eligibility criteria for the program can be found at ukiahsnap.org.
The Animal Care Services department is planning additional spay and neuter events in February, but the events have yet to be finalized. The possible dates and locations of those services can be found by visiting the county’s website. To contact their department, call 707-463-4427.
Yay! Finally! More veterinarians would probably hitch their fortunes to the County if the budget included paying them a living wage and not expecting them to put their time in on a volunteer basis.