San Bernardino County Animal Care is an animal welfare agency that operates the Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters to provide programs and services to Mt. Baldy, San Antonio Heights, all unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, and the cities of Big Bear Lake, Highland, and Yucaipa.
In 2024, San Bernardino County Animal Care took in a total of 7,552 stray animals at Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters, many of which were not spayed or neutered, contributing to the ongoing issue of pet overpopulation. Just one litter of puppies or kittens can multiply quickly, and before long, the number of pets in need of homes becomes overwhelming.
A pregnant cat can give birth to a litter of four to six kittens, and a pregnant dog can give birth to as many as 12 puppies per litter. Dogs can start reproducing as early as 6 months of age, and cats can start reproducing as early as 4 months of age. This rapid population growth significantly contributes to the strain on our shelters.
Spaying and neutering are essential for reducing the strain on shelters, preventing overcrowding and giving pets their best chance for a happy, healthy life.
This month is National Spay and Neuter Awareness Month! Since 2024, through San Bernardino County Animal Care partnerships and programs, over 4,300 pets and community cats have been spayed or neutered. Stay tuned for the announcement of San Bernardino Animal Care’s new mobile spay and neuter clinic.
Join us in making a difference! Learn more about the available spay and neuter programs at animalcare.sbcounty.gov.
Why spay and neuter?
Spaying and neutering your pets and community cats offer numerous benefits, including:
- Preventing overpopulation – Reduces the number of homeless pets and overcrowding in shelters.
- Health benefits – Lowers the risk of reproductive cancers and infections, which can become costly both financially and emotionally.
- Behavioral improvements – Helps reduce aggression, spraying, roaming, and other unwanted behaviors.
- Cost savings – Prevents future costly medical conditions, thus reducing the financial strain on pet owners and animal shelters.
Available spay and neuter resources
San Bernardino County Animal Care offers several programs for spaying and neutering pets:
- Spay and neuter events – We host free spay and neuter events throughout the year to make these services more accessible. Check our website for upcoming events and locations: animalcare.sbcounty.gov/spay-neuter-events.
- Animal Sterilization Assistance Program (ASAP) – This program provides financial assistance to qualifying pet owners to help cover the cost of spay/neuter procedures. Learn more and apply at: animalcare.sbcounty.gov/animal-sterilization-assistance-program.
- Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program – Community members who participate in the TNVR program help control the community cat population by humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning cats to their environment. Find more details at animalcare.sbcounty.gov/tnvr.
If you live outside San Bernardino County Animal Care’s service area, you can still find spay and neuter resources near you. Use our service area map to locate your local animal care agency at animalcare.sbcounty.gov/service-area-map and reach out for available services in your area.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on pet health and shelter overpopulation. Thank you for being part of the solution!
Additional County Update News – Feb. 20, 2025
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- Public Defender’s Office to host Mobile Defense Program in Lucerne Valley
- Behavioral Health seeks input on annual update plan
- Back-up providers assist county’s most vulnerable populations with urgent needs
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- Call for submissions: Share your favorite San Bernardino County destinations
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