The Rio Grande Valley, located in southern Texas, is facing one of the most severe homeless animal crises in the U.S. An estimated one million homeless dogs and cats roam the streets and take shelter in abandoned buildings and industrial parks. Along the Valley’s main highway, it is tragically common to see unwanted pets dumped, left vulnerable to injury, starvation, or death.  Unlike many regions, this crisis is driven by a perfect storm of challenges: widespread poverty, limited access to affordable veterinary care, and a lack of public education about animal welfare. 

This community urgently deserves a sustainable solution. With access to low-cost, high-quality sterilization clinics, the cycle of overpopulation can be broken, easing the strain on local shelters and rescues so they can focus on saving the abandoned animal populations. 

To address this crisis, the Caravita Foundation has partnered with Yaqui Animal Rescue, the leading animal welfare organization in the Valley, to design a permanent high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter (HQHVSN) clinic. Initial plans are underway. For now, Yaqui hosts pop-up sterilization clinics in partnership with their local high school. But with hundreds on the waitlist and funding available only once per quarter, demand far outpaces what these temporary efforts can provide.

A permanent clinic will change everything. It will bring year-round, sustainable care to thousands of families and animals in need, finally offering hope against an overwhelming crisis. Together with Yaqui Animal Rescue, we are working towards a plan with the goal of opening doors in 2026. With compassion, collaboration, and investment, this vision can become a reality and transform an entire region.