Thursday, October 1, 2026
Thurston County pet owners are expected to have another low-cost option for spay and neuter services before the end of the year.
Pasado’s Safe Haven plans to open a clinic in Tumwater with service provided four days a week. The clinic is expected to provide an average of 35 surgeries per day, according to an update presented during a Joint Animal Services Commission meeting on Aug. 10.
The clinic will offer spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs, including large dogs that cannot be accommodated at some of Pasado’s existing clinics.
Feral and community cats will also be accepted. Other services will include vaccinations, microchips, flea treatments, deworming, ear mite treatment, as well as selected in-house disease testing.
Pasado’s has searched for a permanent clinic location in Thurston County for about 30 months. Its existing pet services perform more than 4,000 spay and neuter surgeries annually.
Jayme Woodman, Pasado's Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic Manager for South Puget Sound, said cat surgeries generally cost about $100.
Dog surgeries range from about $135 to $165 depending on size, and required rabies vaccinations cost $15.
Pasado's views lower-cost sterilization as a way to prevent unwanted litters, while helping owners retain pets when veterinary costs create a financial barrier. The clinic also aims to prevent unwanted litters from adding pressure to shelters and rescue organizations
"We're never going to be able to rescue and adopt our way out of the overpopulation crisis," Woodman said. "So we really want to catch it early, and we also want to remove the barriers for people that want to keep their animals, but can't afford services. We want them to stay together."
Pasado’s has performed 4,368 spay and neuter surgeries in fiscal 2026. Its fiscal 2027 goal is 10,730 surgeries with the addition of the Thurston County clinic.
The Tumwater clinic could also reduce travel for pet owners using Spay Neuter All Pets, or SNAP, vouchers.
Joint Animal Services (JAS) Executive Director Sarah Hock said SNAP provides JAS with 30 to 40 dog and cat vouchers per month. Demand regularly exceeds the number available.
"Usually, there is a line wrapping around the building at the first of the month, and we run out of vouchers before we run out of people to give them to," Hock said.
Hock said SNAP recipients currently travel at least to Tacoma for services because few local veterinary clinics accept the vouchers. She said SNAP voucher administration will shift from JAS to Pasado’s, calling Pasado’s “the better administrator” for the program.
JAS also expects the clinic to provide a closer option for its community cat program and community cat caregivers.
The clinic does not yet have a firm opening date because permitting remains in progress. Woodman said Pasado’s remains committed to opening before the end of the year.
“It’s really playing by ear right now, just because we don’t know how long things are actually going to take,” Woodman said. “But we are committed to opening this before the end of the year.”
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SunterraTrail
That's awesome! I love the work Pasado's does. Please consider donating to Pasado's.
Monday, August 17 Report this
BevBassett
"We're never going to be able to rescue and adopt our way out of the overpopulation crisis," is the most important point made in this piece. Stopping the suffering starts here. Kudos to this worthy endeavor!
Tuesday, August 18 Report this
MJGord
Is that year (2026) for 4368 neuters correct?is it really for 2025? is it a typo as that's 182 surgeries per day. Im for anything that slows down (breeders & the $$$) or out of control and hence neglected animals. We need to quit desiring designer animals.
Tuesday, August 18 Report this
CobraCommander
HonestyandRealityGuy/SouthSoundGuy: This is a wonderful opportunity for you!
Tuesday, August 18 Report this