Little Red Dog Inc

Save the day with neuter and spay

In the United States, only about 10% of dogs ever find a permanent home. Millions live out their lives in shelters, and most are euthanized. This epidemic of animal homelessness is fueled by unplanned litters, owner surrenders due to financial or lifestyle challenges, and lack of education about the lifelong commitment of pet ownership. Since 2011, The Little Red Dog (TLRD) has rescued and placed nearly 4,000 dogs, many with special needs — from pregnant moms and puppies to senior dogs and bully breeds requiring training. Central to our mission is prevention. Spay/neuter is the most effective way to reduce shelter intake and suffering. Unaltered pets also create public health issues, making accessible, affordable spay/neuter critical for both animals and communities. In 2020, TLRD launched its first spay/neuter clinic, serving 150 people and 105 animals, while an additional 156 families remained on the waitlist. Along with surgery, we provided vaccines, microchips, and training support. This single event prevented millions of unwanted births. With 85% of dogs in our area unaltered due to cost, our goal is to expand to 2–3 clinics per year, reducing intake pressure on local shelters and preventing unnecessary euthanasia.

SOS-Suspend Owner Surrender

Every year, millions of dogs are surrendered to shelters because their owners can no longer care for them. The top reasons include financial hardship, relocation, housing restrictions, medical costs, lack of training, or personal challenges. Tragically, over half of these pets lack preventive care, spay/neuter, or basic training — leaving them at high risk for euthanasia. The Little Red Dog’s Suspend Owner Surrender (SOS) Program provides critical intervention to keep dogs in their homes or transition them safely into new ones. By supporting struggling owners, we reduce shelter intake and save lives. Since 2011, TLRD has rescued nearly 4,000 dogs, including many with complex medical, training, and behavioral needs. SOS builds on that expertise to offer compassionate, practical solutions before surrender becomes inevitable. Program support includes: • Financial aid for veterinary care • Spay/neuter and vaccination assistance • Temporary boarding for dogs • Short-term hotel stays for owners in crisis • Food and supplies for both dogs and families • Training and behavior support COVID-19 highlighted the urgency of this work, with hundreds of surrender pleas received daily from families facing job loss, illness, or housing instability. By intervening with SOS, we keep dogs safe, reduce shelter crowding, and preserve the human–animal bond.