OUR MISSION
About SBPA
SBPA San Carlos is a Mexican registered non-profit located in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico This is a bi-cultural not-for-profit volunteer organization with a decades long history in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. SBPA San Carlos’ sister organization, SBPA Services, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 corporation located in Tucson, AZ who provides fundraising services and support to help fund SBPA San Carlos.
SBPA San Carlos provides multi-faceted services that includes free spay and neuter clinics; spay and neuter certificates to local vets; and educational programs that promote responsible pet ownership to protect animals and to alleviate the suffering created by uncontrolled population growth. The SBPA relies soley on donatoins to fund our operations.
A Day in the Life of SBPA
Experience Our Mission & Amazing Staff.
Based on a 2021 survey, there are around 60 million dogs & cats in Mexico. An estimated 70% of these animals live on the streets of our communities.
Gwen Bouschor with Dr. Edgar Espinoza and his surgical team at SBPA’s spay-and-neuter clinic in San Carlos in April, 2023.
Gwen was a tireless warrior and dedicated advocate for the helpless street animals. Help us to keep her legacy going.
Gwen Boucher was the founder of the Sociedad Benéfica para Animales (SBPA) in 1995. The SBPA provided free vaccination and spay-and-neuter services for the community, and the Santuario San Carlos, cat & dog sanctuary which re-homed hundreds of abandoned animals over the last three decades throughout Sonora and the southwestern USA. Gwen’s vision was to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats in San Carlos through spay and neuter services, education, and compassionate care. In the early years, Gwen was able to sterilize about 300 animals annually. Gwen passed away in July 2026 but her story is the story of the SBPA.
This legacy of caring and incredible commitment began here in San Carlos one day when Gwen brought her pets to Manuel and Germaine Ferreira in Villa Hermosa for grooming. She lamented to Manuel the appalling state of stray animals in San Carlos and Guaymas. He told her that it was perhaps her destiny to do something about this. Gwen’s veterinarian in Tucson, Dr. Ed Kiesel, agreed to come down to San Carlos several times a year to trap street dogs and cats and conduct spay-and-neuter surgeries from the back of his SUV. When her house was finished on the Caracol, they even conducted surgeries in her kitchen, laying out patients in her living/dining area for recovery.
As time passed, Gwen’s work evolved into SBPA, Inc., which focused exclusively on prevention through free spay and neuter services, leaving fostering and adoption to other community members. With the help of Caroline Durand, a new board of directors was formed, creating and maintaining SBPA’s status as a U.S. non-profit while fostering the partnership with its sister organization in Mexico, SBPA San Carlos. The mission of both organizations is to protect animals and alleviate the suffering and disease caused by uncontrolled population growth through free spay and neuter clinics, and educational outreach to promote responsible pet ownership. Over the last 30 years, SBPA has grown from its humble beginnings that Gwen started, to an organization that performs over 5,000 free spay-and-neuter surgeries annually, significantly reducing suffering and promoting a healthier future for animals and people.
Free Sterilization for Cats and Dogs
Esterilización gratuita para gatos y perros
We seek to protect domestic and feral animals from suffering created by uncontrolled reproduction.
Next Sterilization Clinic
Saturday October 17th – 7:30am – 3pm
Sunday October 18th – 7:30am – 3pm
Registration ends at 1 pm
Sábado 17 de octubre – 7:30 a. m. – 3:00 p. m.
Domingo 18 de octubre – 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
La inscripción finaliza a la 1 p. metro.
The clinic is on a first-come, first-served basis, no appointments available. The first 300 surgeries of each day are free for animals in need and any additional surgery will require a donation of $400 MXN.
How Can You Support Us?
*** SBPA 2026 Summer Donation Challenge ***
A very generous SBPA donor has thrown down a challenge to our supporters and the community at large. The challenge is this donor will match all donations through the months of July & August up to $15,000 USD ($262,250 MX) to help the SBPA control the overpopulation and suffering of animals in our community. Your tax-deductible donation, will help us provide the funds to pay for medical supplies, antibiotics, anesthesia and veterinary fees for our free spay and neuter clinics! Are you up for the challenge? Tax information for US donation: SBPA Services, Inc. Tax ID# 42-1553270
Online
THROUGH PAYPAL
Click the button below and choose the amount you wish to contribute.
*Amount in US Dollars.
Cash
IN AN ENVELOPE
Deliver an envelope, pesos or dollars accepted, to the
SBPA bookstore in the marina behind Barracuda Bob’s Restaurant, or to the VIVE Real Estate office in Plaza Iberri, behind Arco Gas Station.
Postal Mail
IN TUCSON, AZ
American or Canadian check:
SPBA Services Inc.
Attn: Jonni Diane Rogers
4647 Holly Rose Drive
Green Valley, Arizona 85622
Deposit
IN CONVENIENCE STORE
Request a Paynet Service Payment
Reference No.: 9392083
Your support is what makes the difference!
Impact of Your Generous Donations
30
Years of Service
60,000+
Free Sterilizations
Click to see the stunning impact of these sterilizations!
SBPA Board
Many residents of the San Carlos and Guaymas area volunteer their time to help SBPA’s spay and neuter clinics and fundraising events run smoothly. A special mention goes to these fantastic people. Our board is here to support our volunteers and insure SBPA’s mission is met today and tomorrow! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the operations of SBPA San Carlos please contact the board at board@sbpamx.org
Additional Roles & Responsibilities
- Spay & Neuter Clinic Manager – Debbie Reid
- Board Events Coordinator – Jim O’Rourke
- Board Donations Coordinator – Nancy Cunningham
- Board Volunteer Coordinator – Derelyn Howard
