Humane Society of Imperial County secures $636,000 for mobile veterinary unit
Lynette Niebla
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Animal welfare in Imperial County is set for a major transformation following the approval of a massive grant to launch a mobile veterinary clinic.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a grant of over $630,000 through their Community Benefit Program.
The funding will allow the Humane Society of Imperial County to purchase and operate a fully equipped mobile spay and neuter clinic.
The region currently suffers from a critical shortage of veterinary care, operating with just one permanent veterinarian.
As a result, local pet owners frequently must travel out of town for basic animal medical services.
The new mobile unit will bring essential medical services directly to underserved communities across the valley. Planned stops include remote areas such as Salton City, Palo Verde, and Winterhaven.
“This is the perfect opportunity for us to start eliminating all of that,” said Devon Apodaca, Executive Director of the Imperial County Humane Society. “To have something of our own, being able to bring something more concrete, it’s gonna change everything.”
Apodaca noted that the $630,000 grant will also cover the first year of medical supplies and medications required to launch the program.
The Humane Society expects the mobile service to reduce stray populations and relieve chronically overcrowded local shelters.
For residents like Rhonda Ruiz, the arrival of the mobile clinic brings immense relief. Ruiz, who recently adopted a new kitten, recalls the immense stress of seeking emergency care for her dog in a region without options.
“I had to drive to the Foothills in Yuma,” Ruiz said. “We were able to get him fixed, but to have something local would just be really convenient. It’s comforting. In the back of my mind, I was kind of worried about that.”
While funding is secured, the project faces the immediate hurdle of recruiting qualified medical personnel.
The Humane Society is currently partnering with the Animal Action League for staff training as they begin their search for veterinary professionals.
“We’re gonna start looking at assembling a vet team,” Apodaca said, noting they hope to attract fresh talent. “There are some new doctors fresh out of vet school that know that there is a need here.”
Officials estimate that the mobile clinic will be fully staffed, equipped, and on the road by this time next year.