PETA Gifts Southwest Virginia a Mobile Spay-and-Neuter Clinic That Will Help Animals for Years to Come

PETA’s mobile spay-and-neuter clinic rolled into rural southwest Virginia again, and this time, it’s there to stay!

During a celebratory unveiling, PETA handed over the keys to one of our fully equipped mobile clinics to the Twin County Humane Society, making it Southwest Virginia’s first-ever permanent mobile spay-and-neuter clinic. The game-changing gift will help bring affordable sterilization services directly to underserved communities and tackle the animal homelessness crisis at its source.

And because no ribbon-cutting ceremony would be complete without a little snip, PETA and the Twin County Humane Society marked the occasion by sterilizing, vaccinating, and microchipping 253 cats and dogs during a two-day spay/neuter event. That means that since 2023, our partnership has provided free sterilization surgeries for close to 1,000 animals in the area.

The Small Surgery That Solves a Big Problem

Spaying and neutering are the most critical ways to reduce companion animal homelessness and overpopulation. Every year, shelters take in more animals than they can place in homes, and in many rural communities, affordable veterinary care can be difficult to access.

“The overwhelming number of homeless and unwanted animals is one of our community’s most persistent struggles,” said Twin County Humane Society Vice President Stephanie Kordick. “Year-round access to affordable spay-and-neuter surgeries is how we start shrinking those numbers and give more animals a chance, and we’re grateful to PETA for making this possible.”

Sterilized animals also live longer, happier lives. Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine cancer and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer, while neutering prevents testicular cancer and lowers the risk of prostate disease.

Fieldworkers Also Brought Comfort, Care, and Second Chances

The overpopulation crisis wasn’t all that PETA sought to fix. Thanks to fieldworkers who canvassed the area as well as tips and pleas from the local humane society and animal control officers, dogs tethered outside also received upgraded doghouses, flea and tick medication, their first-ever toy, new collars, lightweight tie-outs to replace heavy chains, nail trims, matted fur removals, lots of affection, and more.

The cherry on top? Ten lucky dogs got the chance for a fresh start. After their guardians agreed to let PETA find them indoor homes, the dogs traded life at the end of a tether for comfy couches and compassionate care in PETA’s hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Many of them are experiencing life indoors for the first time as we work to place them with loving families.

Boopsie was tethered outside beside a small plastic doghouse when PETA fieldworkers stepped in. Now, she’s cozy indoors with a foster guardian as she waits for a permanent home.

PETA Has Sterilized 262,000 Animals and Counting!

PETA’s mobile clinics have sterilized more than 262,000 animals since the program launched in 2001, preventing the births of millions of unwanted puppies and kittens. Along the way, we’ve also improved the lives of countless more animals through hands-on fieldwork, providing necessities that make them safer, more comfortable, and healthier.

Every spay or neuter surgery helps curb the animal homelessness crisis.

When dogs and cats aren’t sterilized, more litters are born into communities already struggling to care for the animals who are here now. Many homeless dogs and cats struggle to survive, facing hunger, disease, harsh weather, getting hit by cars, abuse, and other dangers. Others end up in overwhelmed shelters with limited space and resources.

That’s exactly why PETA’s mobile clinics have been hitting the road for animals for 25 years. By bringing affordable spay-and-neuter services directly to underserved communities, PETA helps prevent suffering before it starts.

The Road Ahead Is Full of Snips!

The Twin County Humane Society hopes to begin taking appointments for the new mobile clinic by mid-November. Want to help keep the clinic rolling? Kind people like you can help cover operating costs, expand access to affordable spay-and-neuter services, and allow the clinic to reach even more cats and dogs.