Spay Taos, a nonprofit veterinary clinic serving Northern New Mexico, announced it has received a total of $17,276 in grant funding to expand its free spay‑neuter and preventive care program. The funding includes a $10,000 contribution from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation’s Big Bet for Pets Boost program and a $7,276 grant from the LOR Foundation.
New equipment to increase surgical capacity
The LOR Foundation grant will fund a second anesthesia machine, creating an additional preparation station and allowing pets to move more efficiently into the clinic’s two surgical stations. Executive Director Donna Karr said the investment is “relatively small but critically important” and will directly increase the number of animals the clinic can sterilize on high‑volume days.
Leadership and experience
Dr. Claire Hovenga, who joined Spay Taos this fall as medical director, brings six years of high‑volume shelter spay‑neuter experience from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in Pueblo, Colorado. Her expertise is expected to help the clinic handle the growing demand as services expand into remote communities.
Impact on families and shelters
Since its inception, Spay Taos has performed more than 7,000 free spay‑neuter surgeries, each accompanied by core vaccinations and a microchip. The clinic works with partners such as SAFE Pet Partners and Stray Hearts Animal Shelter to reach areas with high pet populations. In August, the organizations helped a local resident sterilize 12 of 14 large dogs in a single day, preventing further litters.
Community support and future goals
The Duffield Foundation’s grant will also support operational costs, ensuring the clinic can continue offering free services to families who might otherwise struggle to afford veterinary care. Karr emphasized that access to affordable pet care keeps families together and reduces shelter intake.
Spay Taos aims to keep expanding its reach, providing essential veterinary services that protect both pets and the families who love them.
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
