Twelve animal well-being organizations across the Bay Area are joining forces once again to provide free spay and neuter surgeries, vaccines, microchips and other essential veterinary services to pets through Champions for Pet Health: Communities Partnering for Wellness and Spay & Neuter. The three-day event will take place September 25–27, 2026, and is made possible through 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 to support participating organizations as needed.

“Partnerships create lasting impact. Champions for Pet Health continues to demonstrate the power of collaboration in expanding access to veterinary care across the Bay Area,” said Amy Zeifang, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation Co-President and Maddie’s Fund Executive Leadership Team. “By bringing together animal well-being organizations, veterinary professionals and national philanthropic partners, we can help ensure that more pets and families can access critical services that support lifelong health and well-being.”

Since launching in December 2025, Champions for Pet Health has continued to grow in both participation and impact. The first two events helped more than 2,000 dogs and cats receive essential veterinary care across the Bay Area. This September, the partnership expands again, bringing together 12 organizations to increase access to services that help pets stay healthy and remain with the people who love them.

“Our family is proud to support this collaboration once again. These events help not only owned companion animals but also the shelter pets waiting for homes and community/stray cats,” 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.

“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.”

Due to popular demand, there may be limited availability for spay/neuter appointments. We encourage the public to make appointments early. The public is also encouraged to attend the drop-in wellness clinics with free vaccines and microchip services. Full details are available at: https://maddies.fund/champions

Participating Organizations:

  • Animal Fix Clinic*

  • 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

  • San Francisco SPCA

  • Vets in Vans

*Indicates new organization

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

Dave and Cheryl Duffield established Maddie’s Fund®, their family foundation, in 1994. It is the fulfillment of a promise to their dog, Maddie, who provided them much joy over ten years and continues to inspire us today.

The Foundation has awarded over $313 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 a commitment to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need, removing barriers and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility. All Thanks to Maddie.

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™.

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