Otero County, a rural community three hours southeast of Denver, faces a unique challenge. With no centralized, government-funded shelter, animal welfare is left to local officers, who pick up stray dogs abandoned in industrial areas or along highways. Cats are allowed to remain homeless. Rescue groups shoulder the burden to save the dogs in the police kennels and they are the only safety net. But with a strong, accessible spay and neuter program, the future of Otero County can look very different.

In 2024, the Caravita Foundation launched its first spay and neuter program for Otero County. We continue to partner with the Bergen Spay & Neuter Alliance and SLV Spay & Neuter Alliance to bring high-volume, low-cost mobile clinics to the community. Between mobile clinics, our local partner, Dr. Jayne Aldrich, provides spay and neuter services at her clinic in Rocky Ford. This program is one of only two Caravita initiatives that uses an application process, ensuring every applicant is personally connected with the clinic’s administrative team to schedule an appointment.

For many families, affordable veterinary care has been out of reach. Now, with Caravita Foundation, there is a trusted place to turn for spay and neuter services. Our mission is simple: to make spay and neuter care accessible, prevent unwanted litters, and give every pet in Otero County the chance to live a healthy, happy life.

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