Los Banos, CA (November 26, 2025) — The Los Banos Police Department is partnering with the SNIP Bus to offer a spay and neuter clinic on December 8 and 9, providing local pet owners with an opportunity to access low-cost sterilization services for their dogs and cats. Because appointment availability is extremely limited, anyone wishing to participate must complete the official Google sign-up form. The Police Department and the Los Banos Animal Shelter have emphasized that the form is the only method for requesting a spot. Submitting the form does not guarantee an appointment. Those who are selected will be contacted directly to finalize their booking and pay a required $40 deposit, which will be fully refunded after they attend their appointment. Individuals who miss their scheduled appointment will forfeit the deposit.
This event comes at a time when shelters in Merced County, including the Merced County Animal Shelter, are under serious pressure. The shelter’s publicly posted 2023–2024 “Kennel Statistics” show that between July 2023 and June 2024, the facility processed more than 6,900 animals total (dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and others). In October 2025, a large-scale “airlift” evacuation was organized: 193 dogs and cats were flown out to adoption partners across the western U.S. and Midwest. These figures show why a spay/neuter event, like the upcoming SNIP Bus visit, is so important: by preventing unwanted litters and reducing the influx of strays, such community-level sterilization efforts may ease intake pressure on the shelter. Animal welfare organizations across California consistently identify lack of access to affordable spay and neuter services, especially in rural and agricultural regions like the Central Valley, as one of the key drivers of shelter overcrowding. Shelter Animals Count and the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program both emphasize that increasing sterilization rates is one of the most effective long-term strategies for reducing intake pressure and preventing overcrowding in California shelters.
For Los Banos, mobile clinics like the SNIP Bus help fill an important gap by bringing services directly into the community, particularly for families who may not have access to full-service veterinary clinics or who need a lower-cost option. The Los Banos Police Department has encouraged residents to share the sign-up link with neighbors, friends, and pet owners who may benefit. By increasing participation in spay and neuter programs, the city hopes to support healthier pets, reduce stray populations, and ease the strain on local rescue groups and shelters.
The google form can be accessed here.
