First Nations Veterinary brings free spay/neuter services to the Umatilla Indian Reservation

103 pets received care over two days, thanks to Wildhorse Foundation grant

First Nations Veterinary—the only Native-led nonprofit veterinary organization in the Pacific Northwest—hosted its first high-volume spay and neuter clinic on the Umatilla Indian Reservation on May 31 and June 1. The two-day clinic was made possible with a $14,300 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation and held in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation's (CTUIR) Animal Control Department.

The clinic offered critical veterinary services at no cost to UIR residents, including spay/neuter surgeries, core vaccinations, and a full year’s supply of flea and tick prevention.

“A typical spay/neuter appointment can cost upwards of $600. When vaccines and flea/tick treatment are added, the cost becomes even more prohibitive,” said Ali Peterson, First Nations Veterinary’s Communications and Clinic Coordinator.

The Wildhorse Foundation grant covered essential expenses such as medical supplies, anesthesia, mobile clinic equipment, veterinarian fees, and more. With this support, First Nations Veterinary was able to care for 103 pets during the two-day event—an effort that not only improves individual pet health, but also helps reduce the number of roaming animals, the spread of disease, and the burden on local animal control services.

Veterinary medical volunteers came from Washington, Oregon, and even California to lend their time and expertise for the weekend.

“While talking with people in the community, we found out that a lot of them have dealt with parvo at some point," Peterson shared. "That’s one of the many reasons vaccines are so important. Along with protecting pets from rabies and parasites, the DHPP vaccine helps keep them safe from deadly diseases like distemper and parvo. Parvo is especially dangerous because it can stay in the ground for years and still make dogs sick."

First Nations Veterinary is already making plans to return to the Umatilla Indian Reservation in 2026. The positive response from the community was overwhelming, with a waitlist of pets the team couldn't accommodate during this year's visit. In addition to continuing their work on the Umatilla and Warm Springs reservations, the nonprofit also hopes to expand to the Grande Ronde and Siletz reservations in Oregon.

“Our partnership with CTUIR Animal Control Officer Kendyl DeJong is strong, and we’re committed to making sure this community continues to have access to spay and neuter services. Even though we’re only here once a year, performing 103 surgeries in such a short time is a huge effort, and something that would normally take a long time to organize. We hope this makes a big impact by helping reduce the number of unwanted litters and supporting healthier pets throughout the community,” said Peterson.

Wildhorse Foundation Administrator Ella Meyers presents a $14,300 grant award to First Nations Veterinary staff and volunteers, including Gina Clemmer (Director) and Kate Peplin (Lead Veterinarian).