SNIP BUS Year Founded: 2016 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $2,000,000 (925) 895-8531 snipbus.org BIG IDEA: The SNIP Bus provides a focused, specialized service to reduce financial strain for pet owners—and also to preemptively eliminate future generations of unwanted pets. The SNIP Bus rolls into communities at sunrise, delivering its high-volume spay and neuter service for pet owners who cannot afford it, mostly in and around Salinas. By offering a bilingual, mobile service at low or no cost, this Big Idea has fixed more than 36,000 pets in Monterey County in less than 10 years. “As a SNIP volunteer, seeing the look of pride when pet owners make the responsible choice to do the right thing for their animals, it’s heartwarming. It empowers them to be good citizens.” -Alison D. SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL RESCUE (SCAR) Year Founded: 2017 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 45 volunteers Budget: $152,600 (831) 525-5160 scar.pet BIG IDEA: South County Animal Rescue (SCAR) steps in to help dogs and cats in dire situations. SCAR saves shelter dogs facing euthanasia and connects them with trainers inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The TAILS canine academy curriculum provides companionship and skills training while helping a dog increase its adoptability. SCAR’s Big Idea extends to a robust South County spay and neuter effort on public and private lands, reducing overpopulation and encouraging adoption of friendly feral felines. “Not only did Caleb make a difference in our life, but in my brother’s. My brother is a handler/trainer for SCAR at CTF North Soledad Correctional Facility. He trained Caleb (a 3-year-old terrier mix) for four months before my husband and I adopted him. Due to the human-animal bond, my brother gained interpersonal skills and restored his well-being. Of course, Caleb scored too! He came home to his forever family.” -Cindy Cary VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY Year Founded: 1982 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 32 paid, 28 volunteers Budget: $2,674,520 (831) 455-9514 ventanaws.org BIG IDEA: For the Ventana Wildlife Society, the proof is in the numbers. Today more than 100 wild condors thrive in Central California—up from a population of literally zero. The key to this Big Idea is its proven recovery actions that address high-priority threats to condor survival. Ventana Wildlife Society tirelessly educates hunters about switching to nonlead ammunition, a high-impact move that prevents condor poisoning. Other work, like GPS tracking and captive releases, helps nurture wild condor populations. “By the end of this year, the federal funding that has supported our work will expire—it won’t be renewed. So we’ve launched the Save the Condors Fund to sustain what matters most. There is no other nonprofit in California positioned to do this work. Ventana Wildlife Society leads non-lead outreach, monitors nests to improve hatching success, and releases captive-bred condors to the wild every year. These efforts are essential to reaching a self-sustaining population. We’re making real progress, but lead poisoning remains a major threat, and we cannot afford to go backward. Without this work, the consequences could be devastating.” -Kelly Sorenson, executive director 22 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com ANIMALS DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM “Without this work, the consequences could be devastating.” -Kelly Sorenson, Ventana Wildlife Society WONDER WOOD RANCH Year Founded: 2016 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $249,000 (831) 235-2234 wonderwoodranch.org BIG IDEA: Rescued horses serve as the heart of Wonder Wood Ranch, an organization offering equine therapy to local youth. This nonprofit, based in North Monterey County, is expanding to Valley View Ranch Equine Rescue in King City, bringing its Big Idea closer to the communities of Greenfield, Soledad and King City—areas deeply affected by youth violence. In addition to the gentle comfort of horses, Wonder Wood Ranch provides handson training in skills like animal care, ranch management and emergency rescue operations. “I recently had the privilege of touring Wonder Wood Ranch and witnessing firsthand the profound impact its services have on our youth. I was deeply moved by the care and dedication of the faculty at the ranch. Their commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for these young individuals is truly commendable.” -John Laird, State Senator SPOTLIGHT
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