We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dorell Sackett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dorell below.
Dorell , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
SNAP provides low- to no-cost spay and neuter services to pets belonging to lower-income and underserved communities throughout San Diego County. We do this on our mobile Neuter Scooter surgical unit and in our SPAY Center. Spaying and neutering are vital for a pet’s health, behavior, and overall happiness. These procedures also play a crucial role in reducing unwanted litters and addressing pet overpopulation. Unfortunately, the cost of spaying and neutering can be prohibitive. If we aim to reduce the number of pets ending up in shelters, it’s essential to make these spay and neuter surgeries accessible and affordable for all pet owners. Many pet owners deeply love their animals and understand the importance of spaying or neutering, but simply cannot afford the $500–$1,000 often required for the procedure at a local prove veterinary office. SNAP partners with many other pet advocate organizations and provides no – low cost procedures in urban areas and unincorporated rural areas or the county.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Dorell Sackett, and I am the Director of the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP). We spay and neuter LOTS of dogs cats and rabbit! (almost 10,000 a year) and we educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering. I have always loved animals! Growing up, my family had many pets, and that love for animals has stayed with me throughout my adult life as a volunteer and staff member with various animal-related organizations. I’ve participated in numerous animal rescues, driven by my passion for helping animals in need. Over the years, I have rescued all kinds from dogs and cats to pigeons and even rats.
With a degree in education, teaching compassion for animals felt like a natural path. I worked for the Anacapa Fund, where I spent many memorable days at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, learning from the founders and connecting with the sanctuary’s residents. I also volunteered and worked at Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS), where I created the first kids’ community service program, allowing children to volunteer with pets. We extended our volunteer work to organizations as far south as Baja Animal Sanctuary. I now in charge of overseeing the only high-volume, mobile spay neuter team in San Diego County, preventing hundreds of thousands of unnecessary litters.
Witnessing the pain and suffering of animals in shelters on both sides of the border in the early 1990s was a pivotal moment for me. It became clear that there were simply too many pets and not enough homes. Meeting the original spay/neuter advocates at SNAP was life-changing and solidified my commitment to focusing solely on spay and neuter programs as the most effective way to prevent suffering.
There are 14 shelters in San Diego County, and every one of them is over capacity. There is no reason anyone should be purchasing a pet from a breeder, nor should we be importing pets from other states until we can ensure there are no pets suffering locally due to a lack of homes. While achieving zero euthanasia is a complex goal, we can address the root causes of pet overpopulation by making spay and neuter services accessible and affordable for everyone. Too many animals and not enough homes—that’s the reality we must confront. Spaying and neutering is the key to breaking this cycle of suffering and giving pets and their loving owners a better chance.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
Running a nonprofit can be daunting at times. There are so many people and animals who desperately need assistance. Thankfully, there are also people who want to help, and they do—but sometimes, the demands exceed the resources, and that can be overwhelming.
As a director, it’s my responsibility to know when and how to pivot, stay open to new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches. I must also be available to ask for help, listen to feedback, and adapt to ensure that we can continue our mission. Our goal is to remain a reliable resource today, tomorrow, and for as long as there is suffering and a need for our services
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I love animals, but I also love people—especially those who are trying to do what’s right. Not everyone has the resources to provide the best food, medicine, or even clothing (yes, clothing) for their pets. Far too often, people surrender their pets simply because they can no longer afford to care for them.
At SNAP, we don’t judge; we help and educate. If someone’s pet is on a rope, we offer a collar and leash. If a cat is being transported in a box, we provide a carrier. Through all of this, our most important message is the need to spay and neuter pets. Spaying and neutering prevents heat cycles, improves behavior, and stops unwanted litters. This is good for the pet, but also for the person!
Our mission is not only to provide spay and neuter services but also to treat every person and pet with respect. I want all SNAP employees and volunteers to embody this philosophy and approach every interaction with compassion, no matter the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.snap-sandiego.org
- Instagram: @snap_spayneuter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpayNeuterActionProject/
- Linkedin: Spay-Neuter Action Project
- Twitter: @SNAPspayneuter
- Youtube: @snap-spayneuteractionproje4245
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/snap-spay-neuter-action-project-encinitas
