Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Yaqui Animal Rescue, a nonprofit based in Sullivan City, Texas, will host its next low-cost spay and neuter clinic on September 27–28, 2025. The clinic is part of the organization’s effort to address animal overpopulation in the Rio Grande Valley while providing educational opportunities for high school students.
The program was launched in April 2025 in partnership with Donna North High School’s Veterinary Animal Science program. According to Chief Operations Officer Becca Arizmendi-Chavez, “We figured out a way that it leads to a career pathway. The students will graduate having shadowed about 300 hours with a licensed vet, and they will graduate with a vet assistant certification.”
The clinics have already sterilized more than 430 animals this year. The services are offered at an accessible cost—$35 for dogs and $25 for cats—making the program one of the few affordable options for many pet owners in the region.
Arizmendi-Chavez explained that the initiative was born out of necessity. “We had to take initiative on our own because there are just millions of animals here, and we can’t help them all,” she said. By investing in prevention, the organization hopes to reduce the number of abandoned, injured, and neglected animals in South Texas.
Yaqui Animal Rescue is seeking business sponsorships to help cover the costs of the September clinic. “If there are any businesses that are interested in being part of the solution to help with overpopulation, that would be amazing. We have sponsorship packages available,” Arizmendi-Chavez noted.
Founded in 2013 by CEO Sonia Vanecia, Yaqui Animal Rescue operates on 80 acres in Sullivan City and currently cares for about 250 animals, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and other rescued species. The organization relies on grassroots fundraising, grants, and its annual gala to sustain its operations.
For information on sponsoring the clinic, adopting, or donating, visit www.yakianimalrescue.com.
