Thirteen animal well-being organizations across seven Bay Area counties are partnering together, again, to provide free spay and neuter surgeries, vaccines and microchips to pets over a two-day, May 16-17, 2026, event called “Champions for Pet Health: Communities Partnering for Wellness and Spay & Neuter.” The continuation of this event is due to the generosity of three national family foundations, La Russa Rescue Champions, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation and Maddie’s Fund®. BISSELL Pet Foundation will provide veterinarians and veterinary technicians for any animal well-being organizations requesting additional support. Together, this represents a collaborative effort to make vital pet services more accessible to the Bay Area community.
“These events create a catalyst that reaches far beyond one shelter or one weekend,” said Amy Zeifang, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation Co-President and Maddie’s Fund Board Chair. “This partnership is a perfect example of how collective action can create a more meaningful impact for pets and families alike.”
The first ever Champions for Pet Health event, held last December, exceeded its goal of 600 by helping over 1,000 animals across five Bay Area counties. “We hope this event will be another home run and double its impact with a new goal of 2,000 animals receiving veterinary care. Our family is excited to see this event grow to include two new Bay Area counties and three new organizations,” said Tony La Russa, La Russa Rescue Champions Founder.
Studies have shown that spaying and neutering pets helps them live longer, healthier lives and reduces the number of homeless animals in our communities. These events will continue to have an immediate and meaningful impact on the backlog of spay and neuter surgeries across the Bay Area.
Due to popular demand, there is limited availability for spay/neuter appointments, and the public is encouraged to attend the drop-in wellness clinics with free vaccines and microchip services. Full details are available at: www.maddiesfund.org/champions-for-pet-health.htm
Participating Organizations:
- Berkeley Humane
- Contra Costa Animal Services
- East Bay SPCA*
- Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter
- Humane Society Silicon Valley
- Marin Humane
- Muttville
- Nine Lives*
- Oakland Animal Services
- Pets Lifeline*
- San Francisco SPCA
- Valley Humane Society
- Vets in Vans
*Indicates new organizations
“Pets with a microchip are more than three times more likely to be reunited with their families,” said Romy Harness, Maddie’s Fund’s Director of Access to Care Initiatives. “Access to veterinary care is essential not just for the health and well-being of animals, but also for the people who love them and the communities where they live.”
Get Involved
Visit the event website to find the service and location that is right for your dog(s) or cat(s). Join us in making the Bay Area a community of Champions for Pet Health!
About La Russa Rescue Champions
Longtime Bay Area residents Elaine, Bianca, Devon and Tony La Russa have leveraged their passion for animals to inspire the animal rescue field through La Russa Rescue Champions dedicated to companion animal welfare. The family’s commitment to the cause began in 1986 when they arrived in the Bay Area and continues today on a personal level and through the new organization.
About the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation
The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF) carries forward the Duffield family’s legacy of supporting transformational programs and services in three core areas: pairing Veterans with Service Dogs, expanding access to care for companion animals, and strengthening local public service organizations. Founded in 2016, DCDF is part of the Duffield Foundation Family, which also includes Maddie’s Fund—a national leader in advancing the well-being of companion animals—and Liberty Dogs, a new Service Dog training facility dedicated to providing life-changing support for Military Veterans living with PTSD.
About Maddie’s Fund
Established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield, Maddie’s Fund® is a family foundation and the fulfillment of a promise to their dog, Maddie. She provided them joy for over ten years and continues to inspire us today.
Due to their generosity and vision, the Foundation has awarded over $301.3 million in grants toward increased community collaborations and live outcomes, pioneering shelter medicine education, establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S. and driving innovation in access to care. Maddie’s Fund proudly offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities for bold ideas, learning resources and access to collaborate and share innovative solutions.
The Foundation invests its resources in keeping with Dave & Cheryl’s promise that pets and their people would enjoy the same experience they had with Maddie. We are committed to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility. #ThanksToMaddie
Maddie’s Fund is part of The Duffield Foundation Family which also includes Liberty Dogs and Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
About BISSELL Pet Foundation
BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 6,000 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The Foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc. where Every Purchase Saves Pets™.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260430829573/en/
Media gallery
