Establish a San Bernardino County Pet Overpopulation Prevention Program

San Bernardino County is facing a serious and preventable crisis: pet overpopulation.
Every year, too many dogs and cats enter local shelters, leading to overcrowding and the heartbreaking euthanasia of animals due to limited space and resources.

The solution is PREVENTION.

We are calling on San Bernardino County to create a county-wide Pet Overpopulation Prevention Program focused on stopping the problem at its source.

What this program should include:

Low-cost or free spay and neuter services for owned dogs and cats
Mobile spay/neuter clinics to reach more communities
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for community cats
Spay/neuter vouchers for families who cannot afford surgery
Public education on responsible pet ownership and preventing unwanted litters
Partnerships with local veterinarians, shelters, and rescue groups

WHY this matters:

When fewer animals are born into homelessness, fewer animals enter shelters.

That means:

Less overcrowding
Less strain on shelter staff and resources
Fewer animals at risk
More lives saved
Communities that invest in prevention and spay/neuter programs consistently see lower shelter intake and fewer euthanasias over time.

This approach is not only humane, it is practical and cost-effective.

Instead of relying on funding for euthanasia as a response to overcrowding, county resources can be redirected toward prevention-based solutions that stop the problem at its source.

Investing in spay and neuter programs, mobile clinics, TNR efforts, and public education reduces the number of animals entering shelters in the first place. This approach focuses on prevention rather than outcome, ultimately saving more lives.

By shifting funding toward prevention instead of managing overcrowding after it happens, the county can create a more humane, effective, and long-term solution to pet overpopulation.

Our Request:

We urge San Bernardino County to take action and implement a Pet Overpopulation Prevention Program focused on prevention, education, and access to spay/neuter services.

This program should include:

Monthly mobile spay/neuter clinics to provide consistent, accessible services across the county.
A county-supported Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program operating year-round for community cats.
A minimum target of 5,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year for owned pets and free-roaming cats.
Quarterly reporting and evaluation of program impact (intake reduction, surgeries completed, shelter outcomes).
Low-cost or free spay/neuter vouchers for residents in need.
Public education campaigns on responsible pet ownership and preventing unplanned litters.
Partnerships with local veterinarians, rescues, and animal welfare organizations.

This structure ensures consistent access, measurable results, and long-term reduction in shelter intake.

This is a real solution that SAVES lives BEFORE they are ever put at risk.

Sign this petition to:

Reduce shelter overcrowding
Support responsible pet ownership
Save countless animal lives

This is PREVENTABLE. The solution starts NOW.