The Nevada Humane Society (NHS), a nonprofit animal shelter dedicated to saving and improving the lives of pets in northern Nevada, invites the community to join The Barker Pledge, a public challenge to promote and advocate for the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

The campaign launched Tuesday, August 26, 2025, commemorating the anniversary of the late Bob Barker, who leveraged his game show platform to make “remember to spay and neuter your pets” a household phrase. 

The nonprofit recognizes many individuals in northern Nevada are not in a position to afford the cost of a spay/neuter procedure and aims to remind the public that these subsidized procedures are available for those looking for more affordable options.

The initiative builds on the recent $600,000 grant NHS was awarded from Washoe County to expand affordable public spay/neuter services. The funding enables the NHS team to perform thousands of procedures by the end of 2025 and an increased number in 2026. 

At NHS, costs range for spay-neuter apportionment based on sex and species: male and female cat appointments are $80, male dogs appointments are $200 and female dog appointments are $250.

According to the United Spay Alliance, one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce more than 370,000 kittens in just seven years, and one unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce more than 67,000 puppies in six years. Affordable spay/neuter prevents these increases in shelter intake, reduces euthanasia, and improves animal health.

How to Take the Barker Pledge:

  • Share: Post a photo of your pet on social media with a message about the importance of spay/neuter, tagging Nevada Humane Society (@nevadahumanesociety) and using the tag #TheBarkerPledge.
  • Schedule: For those who have not just yet, book your pet’s spay/neuter appointment with NHS.
  • Encourage: Ask friends and family to remember the importance of spaying and neutering their animals, and share that NHS has low-cost, affordable options. 

Nevada Humane Society’s public spay/neuter procedures are by appointment only. To schedule, individuals can click here.

Nevada Humane Society, an independent nonprofit, does not receive general taxpayer funding from Washoe County residents to support its core operations. However, NHS is contracted through a professional services agreement with Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) to serve as the public surrender agency for the region. While the two organizations are separate entities, they work in partnership to improve outcomes for both animals and the people who care for them.

To learn more about NHS, visit www.nevadahumanesociety.org. For media inquiries, contact Rachel Gattuso, APR at rachel@gattusocoalition.com or (775) 336-9453.

About the Nevada Humane Society:
The Nevada Humane Society (NHS) is a nonprofit animal shelter that relies primarily on the generosity of donors. The organization’s mission is to care for pets, find them homes and save lives. Their vision is that all pets should have a healthy, happy life. The NHS teams endeavor to create “Happiness From Nose to Tail,” the organization’s new tagline, for animals in northern Nevada and the humans who love and care for them. To learn more, visitwww.nevadahumanesociety.org.