IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS!
SBPA (Sociedad Benefactora y Protección Animal de San Carlos, A.C.) is a bi-cultural not-for-profit volunteer organization with a decades long history in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. SBPA’s parent organization, SBPA Services, Inc., incorporated in 1995, is a 501(C)3 organization that is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.
The mission of both SBPA Services, Inc. and its south-of-the-border non-profit, SBPA de San Carlos, is to protect animals and to alleviate the suffering created by their uncontrolled population growth. This goal is realized through a multi-faceted program that includes free spay and neuter clinics and certificates; and distribution of educational materials that promote responsible pet ownership.
Through FREE sterilization for cats and dogs, SBPAMX seeks to protect domestic and feral animals from suffering created by uncontrolled reproduction. Our no cost service encourages local citizens who might not be able to afford to have their pets spayed and neutered to take advantage of our free clinics.
Our volunteer clinic staff and teams of rescue volunteers go through the streets of San Carlos, Guaymas and Empalme to round up stray cats and dogs to bring to the clinic to be spayed and neutered. One the procedure is complete and the animals have come out of post op recovery, the teams of volunteers return them to where they were found.
WHY THE MISSION IS CRITICAL
As of recent estimates, Mexico has a substantial population of dogs and cats, with a significant portion living on the streets. According to a 2021 survey by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), there are approximately 79.98 million pets in the country. This includes about 43.76 million dogs and 16.26 million cats. A significant number of these animals are strays. Estimates suggest that up to 70% of dogs and cats in Mexico are homeless or free-roaming. This high percentage indicates that approximately 42.6 million dogs and 11.4 million cats live on the streets. Additionally, it’s reported that around 500,000 dogs and cats are abandoned each year in Mexico, exacerbating the stray animal situation.
These figures highlight the challenges Mexico and the communities we live in face regarding stray animals, emphasizing the need for responsible pet ownership and effective animal welfare programs. SBPA San Carlos, with the help of our generous donors and volunteers, works year round to provide free spay and neuter clinics to address the overpopulation issues in our community.
MAIN REASONS TO SPAY & NEUTER
The sterilization of all dogs and cats greatly helps to alleviate the suffering of stray animals as well as reduces the spread of diseases to humans.
Reduce Stray Population
Unwanted litters needlessly suffer being born on the streets without proper food or care, enduring mistreatment, disease and starvation.
Better Temperament
Improve animal behavior by making them calm and gentle, reducing fighting and wandering away.
Reduce Spread of Diseases
Controlling the population reduces the risk of flea and tick borne diseases to humans such as rickettsia, lyme disease and gastrointestinal parasites.
Healthier Life for Animals
Sterilizing your pet eliminates many cancers amongst animals which leads to suffering and unexpected financial burden for the family. It also will result in less spraying and marking.
Totally FREE Clinics
No appointment required
Minimum age of animal is 3 months
8-hour fast prior to surgery
Females wait 8 to 10 weeks after giving birth
All About Animal Welfare
SBPA San Carlos and our dedicated team of volunteers and generous donors are committed to improving animal welfare in our community.
Improving the lives and controlling the population of street dogs and cats is rewarding and a critical mission for improving the lives of the animals as well as the humans who must coexist in our towns. SBPA is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations to fund our important mission.
SBPA – Our History and Mission
The Sociedad Benéfica para Animales (SBPA) was founded in 1995 by animal advocate Gwen Bouschor, whose 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.
SBPA initially operated under two branches:
– SBPA Services provided free certificates for spaying, neutering, and vaccinations. Local residents could take these certificates to participating veterinarians, who were reimbursed at a standard rate. When funds allowed, Gwen brought veterinarians—often Dr. Ed Kiesel from Tucson—to San Carlos several times a year to perform surgeries. In those days, surgeries took place wherever space was available, from tailgates of cars in La Manga to Gwen’s kitchen on the Caracol.
– The Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter near Gwen’s home, provided safe refuge for up to 340 cats and 10 dogs. Gwen and her husband personally funded much of its operation, including the purchase of vital equipment such as the operating tables still in use today.
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 strengthening partnerships with its sister organization in Mexico, SBPA de San Carlos.
The mission of both organizations is to protect animals and alleviate the suffering and disease caused by uncontrolled population growth. This is achieved through free spay and neuter clinics, certificates for veterinary care, and educational outreach to promote responsible pet ownership in the community.
For a time, SBPA received support from the Government of Sonora Health Department, whose skilled veterinarians—including Dr. Edgar Espinoza and his remarkable team—helped perform mobile clinics in tents, schoolrooms, and later, a donated trailer converted into a clinic. With Caroline’s leadership, SBPA eventually secured a permanent clinic space through the generous support of the owner of Sherwin-Williams Paint Store.
Today, SBPA holds monthly clinics and sterilizes over 7,000 animals each year, funded entirely by donations and community fundraisers. Recently, the organization moved into a new eco-friendly facility shared with CRIFFS in Sector Ranchitos, ensuring that SBPA can continue its vital mission of reducing pet overpopulation, preventing suffering, and building a healthier future for animals in San Carlos.
