County expands trap‑neuter‑return and partners with SPCA, Animal Balance and NHS for large free clinic
October 18, 2025 | Washoe County, Nevada
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Officials described two related strands of work: an ongoing trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) network managed with nonprofit partners and a three‑day, high‑volume free spay/neuter clinic run with SPCA of Northern Nevada and Animal Balance.
Cheyenne Shull and Tammy Jennings described the county's TNR arrangement: the county provides surgical capacity while nonprofit partners such as Community Cats trap, schedule and return community cats. Shull said the county limits appointments to about 20 cats a week so surgical staff can maintain consistent workflows. The county also provides rescue vouchers to partners and has been increasing coordination with more than 30 rescue partners.
Tracy Dean of Community Cats, speaking during public comment, said her group helped over 1,300 cats and kittens so far this year, with the organization currently averaging about 150 cats and kittens assisted per month.
SPCA of Northern Nevada executive director Jill Vakina Dobbs described a pro bono partnership with Animal Balance that used Washoe County’s clinic facility to run a three‑day high‑volume event. She said the clinic performed 203 spay/neuter surgeries (104 cats; 99 dogs), administered 283 vaccine doses (including 142 rabies vaccines) and microchipped 143 animals. “We fixed 203 pets for free over 3 days,” she told the board. Organizers said the event reduced future pressure on shelters by preventing thousands of potential offspring and highlighted collaborative logistics including use of county parking, sterilization equipment and volunteer teams.
Why it matters: TNR and high‑volume spay/neuter events are central to regional strategies to reduce shelter intake and prevent unwanted litters. The county emphasized ongoing reliance on nonprofit partners for trapping and foster care; SPCA and Animal Balance said they plan future clinics contingent on funding and facility availability.
Board members asked about program costs and capacity limits; county staff said expense and clinic staff time limit appointment volumes, and staff will return with cost estimates on request.
Cheyenne Shull and Tammy Jennings described the county's TNR arrangement: the county provides surgical capacity while nonprofit partners such as Community Cats trap, schedule and return community cats. Shull said the county limits appointments to about 20 cats a week so surgical staff can maintain consistent workflows. The county also provides rescue vouchers to partners and has been increasing coordination with more than 30 rescue partners.
Tracy Dean of Community Cats, speaking during public comment, said her group helped over 1,300 cats and kittens so far this year, with the organization currently averaging about 150 cats and kittens assisted per month.
SPCA of Northern Nevada executive director Jill Vakina Dobbs described a pro bono partnership with Animal Balance that used Washoe County’s clinic facility to run a three‑day high‑volume event. She said the clinic performed 203 spay/neuter surgeries (104 cats; 99 dogs), administered 283 vaccine doses (including 142 rabies vaccines) and microchipped 143 animals. “We fixed 203 pets for free over 3 days,” she told the board. Organizers said the event reduced future pressure on shelters by preventing thousands of potential offspring and highlighted collaborative logistics including use of county parking, sterilization equipment and volunteer teams.
Why it matters: TNR and high‑volume spay/neuter events are central to regional strategies to reduce shelter intake and prevent unwanted litters. The county emphasized ongoing reliance on nonprofit partners for trapping and foster care; SPCA and Animal Balance said they plan future clinics contingent on funding and facility availability.
Board members asked about program costs and capacity limits; county staff said expense and clinic staff time limit appointment volumes, and staff will return with cost estimates on request.
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