A specialty license plate on one Arizona driver’s car can become an affordable veterinary appointment for someone else’s pet. In Mesa, that connection is helping families care for their animals, prevent unwanted litters and keep more pets safely at home.
For more than a year, the City of Mesa and Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit have partnered to connect residents with affordable spay and neuter services. A $5,000 grant from Arizona’s Spaying and Neutering of Animals Fund, commonly known as AZ Pet Plates, helped turn that partnership into direct assistance for local pet owners.
The program has helped cover spay and neuter costs for 33 Mesa animals. Its impact, however, extends beyond a single procedure. When families spend less on surgery, they may have more room in their budgets for vaccinations and other preventive veterinary care. Each altered animal also represents a future litter prevented and fewer animals potentially entering shelters or rescue networks.
“Cost can be a real barrier for residents who want to provide responsible care for their pets,” says Diana Ibarra, Animal Control Specialist II for the City of Mesa. “This partnership gives families another resource while helping the city address pet overpopulation proactively. It supports the animal, the owner and the larger community.”
The partnership brings together three organizations with distinct roles. Mesa Animal Control identifies community needs and connects residents with resources. AZ Pet Plates provides financial support through its statewide grant program. And, Dr. Kelly’s delivers veterinary care through its focused outpatient surgical model.
Together, the partners are helping Mesa residents through:
- More Affordable Care: Grant funding helps reduce the cost of spay and neuter procedures for participating pet owners.
- Local Veterinary Access: Dr. Kelly’s operates two Mesa clinics specializing in outpatient surgery and preventive services.
- Healthier Pets: Spaying and neutering can provide health benefits and may reduce roaming, marking and certain unwanted behaviors.
- Stronger Pet Families: Accessible veterinary care can help owners keep their animals healthy, safely contained and at home.
- Long-Term Prevention: Each surgery helps prevent unwanted litters and reduces future pressure on shelters and rescues.
“Accessible veterinary care can determine whether a pet receives treatment now, later or not at all,” says Doug Patriquin, co-founder and CEO of Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit. “The City of Mesa understands what local families are facing, and AZ Pet Plates gives programs like this the financial support to respond. Our role is to provide dependable care and help make those community resources go further.”
AZ Pet Plates grants are funded primarily through Arizona’s Pet Friendly specialty license plate. Of the plate’s $25 annual specialty fee, $17 is deposited into the state’s Spaying and Neutering of Animals Fund. Arizona residents may also support the fund through voluntary contributions on their state individual income tax returns.
The money is distributed to qualifying nonprofit animal welfare organizations and municipal or tribal animal-control agencies for spay and neuter programs across Arizona. In Mesa, those statewide dollars become local appointments for pets whose owners may otherwise struggle to afford care. Arizona drivers can support future grant-funded services by purchasing or renewing a Pet Friendly specialty license plate.
Mesa residents who need help finding affordable spay and neuter care may contact Mesa Animal Control at 480-644-2268 or animalcontrol.info@mesaaz.gov to ask about current resources and availability. Because grant funding and appointments are limited, residents are encouraged to contact the city before scheduling services.
Residents who would like to help can purchase or renew an Arizona Pet Friendly specialty license plate. Proceeds from each plate support spay and neuter programs throughout the state. More information is available at azpetplates.org.
“Pet overpopulation is not something one organization can solve alone,” Ibarra says. “It takes residents making responsible choices, veterinarians providing accessible care and community partners investing in prevention. Every pet that receives care moves Mesa in the right direction.”
Founded in 2016, Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit has completed more than 250,000 procedures through a model focused on affordable outpatient surgery and preventive care. Its services include spay and neuter procedures, dental care, soft-tissue surgery, vaccinations and microchipping, supported by transparent pricing, free estimates and online booking.
Dr. Kelly’s operates two Mesa clinics. The Mesa-Ellsworth clinic, located at 9061 E. Baseline Road, Suite B101, serves East Mesa, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon and surrounding East Valley communities. The Mesa-Dobson clinic, located at 1955 W. Baseline Road, Suite 110, serves Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Dobson Ranch and nearby communities. Both clinics are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For information about Mesa Animal Control and local pet resources, visit mesaaz.gov/Resident-Resources/Animal-Control. For information about Dr. Kelly’s Mesa clinics, visit drkellysvet.com/mesa-ellsworth-clinic and drkellysvet.com/mesa-dobson-clinic.
To learn more about AZ Pet Plates or purchase a Pet Friendly specialty license plate, visit azpetplates.org.
