Board approves $1.25 million in donations and grant to create Ventura County mobile spay–neuter program

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on April 29 approved a grant agreement and donations to create a Ventura County community mobile spay–neuter program intended to reduce shelter intake and improve access to veterinary care.

The action authorizes the County to accept a donated mobile surgical trailer valued at approximately $250,000 and a donor contribution of $1,000,700 to support program operations and four full‑time equivalent fixed‑term positions. The donation and grant will be administered through Ventura County Animal Services in partnership with the Ventura County Animal Services Foundation, which led fundraising.

Animal Services Director Esteban Rodriguez and Foundation President Christie Haddock told the board the mobile clinic will serve the entire county with a priority on communities that contribute the most shelter intake. Rodriguez said the program will reduce overpopulation, lower shelter intake over time and provide access to veterinary care for underserved families. A visual mock-up of the trailer and program branding was shown to the board.

The board voted unanimously to accept the trailer and funding, create four fixed-term positions, and authorize the director to execute the grant and donation documents. The board also delegated authority to the Animal Services director to make minor, nonmaterial changes to the grant agreement.

Why it matters: Mobile spay–neuter capacity is a common tool for reducing stray and surrendered animals and can reduce shelter intake and long-term costs. The foundation’s gift is intended to seed sustained community-level services and expand outreach into neighborhoods where travel or cost are barriers to surgical sterilization.

Board action: Approved acceptance of in-kind and monetary donations and a grant agreement; created four fixed-term positions to staff the program.