Power of Prevention: Helping to fund up to 246 surgery days in 2026
by Wendi Piscia | February 5th, 2026 | 7:31 am
Prevention Works Before Crisis Begins
In animal welfare, prevention is often quieter than crisis. It does not make the same headlines as overcrowded shelters or emergency rescues, but it is where the greatest and most lasting impact happens.
At Napa Humane, prevention is the foundation of our work. Most people love their pets and want to do right by them, but cost, access, language, or life circumstances can make even basic care difficult. Through spay and neuter, vaccinations, preventive care, dog training, humane education, and targeted support for community members facing barriers to care, we work every day to help pets stay healthy and in their homes.
We call this effort Power of Prevention; a community-wide commitment to funding lifesaving services before problems become crises, with the goal of supporting up to 246 days of spay and neuter surgeries in 2026.
Why Spay and Neuter Matters Most
The heart of prevention is spay and neuter. This procedure is not just a routine surgery. It is the single most effective tool we have to reduce unintended litters, decrease shelter intake, and improve the health and behavior of pets. When fewer animals are born without a home, fewer end up in already overcrowded shelters. It is also one of the most cost-effective solutions in animal welfare. Caring for an animal in a shelter for just one week costs more than a spay or neuter surgery that can prevent generations of animals from entering the system.
A Growing Need, Locally and Nationwide
This matters now more than ever. Shelters across the country are full, and Napa County is no exception. Nearly six million dogs and cats entered shelters nationwide last year, and many shelters are struggling to keep up. Puppies and kittens continue to arrive in large numbers, a clear sign that access to affordable spay and neuter has not kept pace with the need.
Closer to home, staff at the Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center have shared how overcrowding leads to stress, illness, and heartbreaking decisions. In a 2025 Napa Valley Register article, the shelter’s manager described turning away animals simply because there was no room to care for them, and the toll that full kennels take on both animals and staff. The shelter takes in roughly 2,300 animals each year and emphasizes that community-wide access to preventive services, including spay and neuter, keeps animals from entering the shelter unnecessarily.
Napa Humane’s Role in Prevention
That is where Napa Humane plays a critical role. Our clinic operates five days per week as the only ongoing low-cost spay and neuter option in Napa County. Every surgery helps prevent future litters, reduces pressure on the shelter, and keeps pets healthier and safer in their homes. This work benefits not only individual animals and families, but the entire community.
What It Takes to Sustain This Work
Providing these services takes sustained community support. The average cost of a single surgery day, during which approximately 16 animals are spayed or neutered, is about $3,000. Fees paid by pet owners cover only a portion of that cost, with the remainder supported through donations, grants, business sponsorships, and planned giving.
Like many nonprofits, Napa Humane receives a large share of annual donations during the year-end giving season. That generosity generated more than $150,000, helping fund the first 75 surgery days of 2026. As the year continues, additional philanthropic support will be essential to keep our clinic operating at full capacity and meeting the ongoing needs of Napa County.
Prevention Goes Beyond Surgery
Spay and neuter may be the cornerstone, but prevention does not stop there. Each week, pets receive vaccinations and microchips to protect them from disease and help them return home if lost. Preventive care clinics catch health issues early. Dog training strengthens the bond between pets and families and helps prevent behavior challenges that can lead to surrender. Humane education helps raise the next generation of compassionate pet guardians.
We also know that access to care is not equal. Programs like our Pet Assistance Program for people experiencing homelessness and wellness clinics for low-income, Spanish-speaking families help ensure that cost or language are not barriers to keeping pets healthy and in loving homes.
Choosing Prevention
Power of Prevention is about choosing to act earlier—before shelters fill, before families face impossible decisions, and before preventable suffering occurs. When we invest in prevention, we strengthen the entire animal welfare system in Napa County and help ensure more pets stay healthy and at home where they belong.
