At the August 17 Spayathon, four veterinary teams will perform dozens of dog and cat spay/neuter surgeries, a critical expansion in response to long waitlists 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) 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 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 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,” says SBCAS’s director, Sarah Aguilar. “Events like this reduce the number of animals entering our shelter system and ensure pets stay where they belong—at home.” She adds, “These collaborations empower us to create safety nets, improve health and honor the profound human-animal bond.”

Following the August 17 event, C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a similar clinic in Paso Robles at Pioneer Park on September 21 with support from SLO County Animal Services. The organization’s goal is to provide bimonthly spayathons through 2025 and 2026.

For more information and to inquire about an appointment visit C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach. To learn more about C.A.R.E.4Paws in general and find out how to contribute to the organization, visit care4paws.org. To learn more about SBCAS and find adoptable pets, visit countyofsb.org/415/Animal-Services and countyofsb.org/1381/Adoptable-Animal-Search.

Harris said the idea for a dedicated facility came out of repeated challenges the nonprofit faced while operating its Safe Haven foster program, which connects pets with temporary homes during family crises. The foster model, while effective in many cases, often proves difficult to coordinate during nights and weekends or when multiple animals need shelter quickly.

“The way we usually describe it is it’s like Friday night at 10 p.m., and we get a call about two dogs that haven’t been socialized,” Harris said. “It’s hard to find placement on the spot. This refuge is the solution to that.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws says the refuge will also fill a growing need tied to local immigration enforcement. In recent months, the group has supported pet owners who were detained, deported, or forced to relocate unexpectedly.

“We’ve had recent immigration actions that left pets without owners or with owners who couldn’t support them,” Harris said. “This facility gives us a known place to house those animals safely.”

Safety remains a core priority for the program, particularly for survivors of domestic violence. For those individuals, the location of the refuge will remain confidential, even to the pet owners themselves.

“Once we take an animal into care, the owner doesn’t know where the pet is,” Harris said. “That’s critical for the safety of all involved.”

The organization is currently working to raise $150,000 to build the refuge. The bulk of that cost includes prefabricated, climate-controlled kennels and essential infrastructure such as fencing, plumbing, and electrical work. Harris said the group has raised about $30,000 so far and is in discussions with a donor who could contribute an additional $30,000 to $40,000.

C.A.R.E.4Paws says all donations will be carefully tracked and used in accordance with donors’ wishes, despite the sensitive nature of the project.

“Any donor-restricted fund that comes into an organization must be used for the purpose it was given,” Harris said. “That’s our obligation. Even though the location remains confidential, we still provide funding status updates and adhere to strict financial oversight.”

In the meantime, the nonprofit continues offering other services for low-income and vulnerable pet owners. On Aug. 17, C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a free large-scale spay and neuter event in Santa Maria in partnership with Santa Barbara County Animal Services. The group expects to perform up to 90 spay and neuter surgeries in a single morning and provide vaccinations and basic care for another 150 to 200 animals.

Libby Cabral, assistant manager for C.A.R.E.4Paws, said barriers to care often prevent people from seeking help, not because of their own needs, but because they fear being separated from their pets.

“If they don’t have a safe place for their animals to be, they are not going to seek that help for themselves,” Cabral said. “This program creates that safety net.”

Angela, a longtime local resident, knows firsthand how vital that connection can be. She experienced homelessness for over a year and credits her dog for getting her through it.

“She got me up and out every morning,” Angela said. “That was my whole purpose. Her.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws plans to open the refuge this fall and hopes the community will support its mission to keep families and their pets together through some of life’s most difficult challenges.

To learn more or donate, visit care4paws.org/petrefuge/.

“When people go through these incredibly difficult times, the last thing they should have to worry about is what will happen to their beloved pets,” says C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Cofounder and Executive Director Isabelle Gullö. “This refuge will ensure that no one has to surrender their pet or leave a four-legged companion behind to seek safety or stability.”

Located at a confidential location to protect both animals and their families, the refuge will feature a prefabricated structure with 10 large indoor/outdoor dog kennels and a 40,000-square-foot exercise yard. Cats will be housed in a separate building in homelike rooms. During their stay, pets will have plenty of one-on-one time with staff and volunteers as well as access to veterinary care through C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach program. Grooming and dog training will also be available.

The refuge aims to fill a critical gap: temporary as well as long-term foster homes and boarding placements, especially for larger dogs and multiple family pets, remain scarce, and local shelters remain at capacity. It also provides a significant and necessary safety net, especially for domestic violence survivors. Reports show that 70% of women exiting abusive relationships have pets, and that as many as 48% of women stay in the violent relationship because of fear for their pet’s safety. Given that domestic violence survivors typically need to leave a dangerous environment immediately, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ ability to respond quickly is essential, which is made possible with 24/7 access to the Pet Refuge.

“Providing peace of mind for families and housing their beloved pets in a safe, nurturing environment makes a profound difference,” says Gullö, adding that the goal is to reunite people with their animals as they pursue a new life of safety and security. “We know what happens when people don’t have support for their animals during tough times, and we hope the community will get behind our vital project, as it takes a village to keep pet families together.”

This is true for the Vega family, in the featured photo, whose dog, Maya, was cared for in a loving foster home through C.A.R.E.4Paws while they navigated a housing transition. That lifeline allowed them to welcome Maya back when the time was right and avoid the heartbreak of surrender.

The budget for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ innovative and compassionate initiative is $150,000, and community members are invited to support the project through monetary donations and sponsorships, including naming opportunities for kennels and the play yard. In that regard, C.A.R.E.4Paws extends sincere gratitude for generous contributions from supporters such as Creekside Pet Boarding and private donor Kathleen Curtis.

Donations of the following are also appreciated: veterinary care, food, supplies, dog training and grooming. Additionally, C.A.R.E.4Paws seeks in-kind donations for fencing and construction for the exercise yard.