By Katie Northcott, News Director
Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services will travel to Winchester and Manchester and conduct spay and neuter clinics by appointment only from Friday, May 22 to Friday, May 29. The clinic will likely be fully booked.
In addition, an entire Chewy truck will deliver food and supplies to Animal Harbor in Winchester at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23. Pet owners may take food and supplies for free. No county or income verifications will be required.
Find more details and local resources in the press release below:
Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services is traveling to Winchester and Manchester, Tennessee this May to provide free spay and neuter services as part of a community-centered effort to reduce pet overpopulation and improve access to veterinary care. Underdog will be in Tennessee from May 22-May 29th, 2026. Underdog has been working with several shelters in Tennessee to bring up pets for adoption in Wisconsin for nearly a decade. However, transferring pets from one place to another has not proven effective in deeply addressing the continued overpopulation in Tennessee. Pets continue to be euthanized in shelters when space runs out.
In collaboration with Redemption Underdog Freedom Fund (RUFF), Animal Harbor, and the City of Manchester Animal Control, Underdog will offer free spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats, along with rabies and distemper vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and microchips—all at no cost to pet owners. These surgeries will be provided by appointment only. At the time of this release, over 500 emails have been received, so this trip will likely be fully booked. Additionally, on Saturday May 23rd at 11am, there will be an entire Chewy truck of FREE food and supplies delivered to Animal Harbor for pet parents to take what they need for their pets, thanks to Chewy and Greater Good Charities. Anyone can come to get what they need for their pets (no county or income verifications necessary).
This initiative goes beyond a traditional clinic model. Underdog is implementing a Community Engaged Care approach to better understand and address the unique needs of the communities they serve.
“Our goal is not just to provide services, but to build relationships,” said Lauren Brinkman, Executive Director of Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services. “We want to meet people where they are, listen to what they need, and reduce the barriers that prevent them from accessing care for their pets.”
By removing financial and access barriers, Underdog aims to test a key hypothesis: that increasing access to free (or low cost), high-quality veterinary services will lead to fewer unintended litters, ultimately easing the burden on local shelters and rescue partners.
In addition to reducing shelter intake, Underdog is also evaluating whether targeted spay and neuter efforts—particularly for dogs—can decrease the number of calls received by animal control over time. Underdog plans to return to the area multiple times per year, creating sustained impact through consistent, accessible care.
The May clinic will also serve as a learning opportunity for the veterinary community. Local veterinarians and veterinary students are invited to observe and participate in a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) clinic setting. Underdog hopes to
provide hands-on exposure, mentorship, and informal training to increase confidence and efficiency in surgical settings.
“We believe that sharing knowledge is just as important as delivering care,” said Brinkman. “If we can help local providers feel more comfortable performing higher volumes of surgery, that benefit extends far beyond our visits.”
If appointment availability allows, Underdog will also support local shelter partners by providing spay and neuter services for animals awaiting adoption, helping them move into homes more quickly.
Community members interested in services can contact mobilevetcare@underdogpetrescue.org for scheduling and with any questions.
Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services is an all-breed companion animal rescue and
affordable veterinary clinic based in Madison, Wisconsin. Their mission is to find permanent homes for animals in need, and to enrich lives by strengthening the connection between animals and people through community services and outreach. They offer affordable veterinary services in Madison to support all who need services in their community. Find out more at http://www.underdogpetrescue.org. Follow Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services: facebook.com/underdogpetrescue IG: @underdogpets
Redemption Underdog Freedom Fund’s mission is to support local companion animals by aiding and assisting with the costs of spaying and neutering, emergency vetting, community education, hospice/foster assistance, and transportation
Animal Harbor is a private nonprofit limited intake shelter in Winchester, Tennessee that provides temporary shelter for abandoned companion animals and then finds them loving homes. Animal Harbor provides spay and neuter for residents who need help, and they promote animal welfare through education and public outreach. They maintain a no-kill philosophy. Their address is 56 Nor-Nan Rd, Winchester, TN 37398.
The City of Manchester Animal Control Department investigates animal cruelty cases. They aid animals in distress by feeding starving animals and freeing trapped animals. They remove animals from inhumane conditions and getting them back to their shelter to receive treatment and care, before finding them good homes. The location of services provided in Manchester will be at The Manchester Event Center, located at 147 Hospitality Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355.
The post Free Spay and Neuter Clinic Coming to Winchester and Manchester appeared first on Thunder Radio.
