Animal Samaritans Expands Free Spay & Neuter Program to Unincorporated Coachella Valley Residents in August

Thousand Palms, CA – [7/21/25] – Animal Samaritans continues its lifesaving mission to reduce pet overpopulation in the Coachella Valley with its Free Spay and Neuter Program, now entering its third month. 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 in Thousand Palms has allocated $100,000 toward FREE spay or neuter surgeries to qualified Coachella Valley residents - helping to lower euthanasia rates in high-risk shelters and giving pets healthier, happier lives.

In June, the program launched with a focus on Cathedral City residents. In July, the effort expanded to Desert Hot Springs where all available vouchers were quickly claimed by local pet owners. Now, in August, Animal Samaritans is focusing on helping residents of the Unincorporated Cities of the Coachella Valley.

“Every pet we spay or neuter means fewer unwanted litters and fewer animals entering overcrowded shelters,” said Tom Snyder, CEO of Animal Samaritans. “This program directly supports families who otherwise might not be able to afford these vital surgeries.”

August Program Details
🐾 Who Qualifies: Residents of unincorporated cities in the Coachella Valley. Proof of residency and valid ID required. These areas include: Bermuda Dunes, Desert Edge, Indio Hills, Mecca, North Palm Springs, North Shore, Oasis, Sky Valley, Thermal and Thousand Palms.
🐾 What’s Included: Free spay or neuter surgery, post-surgical pain medication, and a pet e-collar.
🐾 How to Participate: Limited vouchers are available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For Mecca, North Shore, Oasis, Thermal vouchers will be distributed at the Family Resource Center, located at 91-275 66th Ave, Suite 600, Mecca, Mon-Fri, 8a-5p. For Bermuda Dunes, Sky Valley, Thousand Palms vouchers will be distributed at Animal Samaritans Admin Office, located at 72120 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, Mon-Fri, 8a-4p.
🐾 Where: Surgeries will be performed at Animal Samaritans Veterinary Clinic in Thousand Palms.

Why Spay and Neuter Matters
Spaying and neutering prevents unwanted litters and reduces stray populations. It also lowers the risk of certain cancers in pets and can improve behavior by reducing roaming and aggression. Founded in 1978 as the valley’s first nonprofit spay and neuter clinic, Animal Samaritans now provides full-service veterinary care at two locations in Indio and Thousand Palms, including urgent care, oncology, cardiology, and internal medicine. The organization also operates a No Kill shelter in Thousand Palms and has been voted Best Veterinary Clinic in the Desert two years running.

Stay Tuned for What’s Next
This program is an ongoing effort. Each month, Animal Samaritans will focus on a different Coachella Valley city or area. Follow Animal Samaritans on social media or visit www.animalsamaritans.org to see where we’ll be helping pet families next.