LONG-AWAITED VETERINARY SURGERY CENTER NEARS COMPLETION
Valley Humane Society Poised to Increase Lifesaving Outcomes and Access to Care
PLEASANTON, California— February 1, 2023—Soon the Tri-Valley will have a much-needed resource that will
ultimately save the lives of thousands of animals. Valley Humane Society is nearing completion on its long-awaited Phil Scholz Veterinary Surgery Center, and is seeking public support in the final stages of making this important lifesaving solution a reality for the community. Just $150,000 remains of the more than $1.9 million needed to bring the project to fruition.
The Surgery Center will primarily provide spay and neuter services to the public, shelters, rescues, and Valley
Humane Society’s adoptable dogs and cats. In addition, specialty procedures will be performed for clients coming through a veterinary referral system when the cost of services is a lifesaving barrier.
With a focus on high-volume spaying and neutering, the Surgery Center will be able to accommodate up to 140
surgeries per week, significantly supporting adoption and pet overpopulation efforts in the Tri-Valley. “The serious
shortage of surgery appointments affecting our industry limits how many animals rescue groups can help,” says Jill Tucker, CEO of California Animal Welfare Association. “The state of California requires animal shelters and
rescues to spay or neuter all animals before adopting them, but if we can’t get them fixed, we can’t send them
home.”
The Surgery Center is also expected to reduce the number of cats and dogs surrendered to shelters by assisting
guardians through a veterinary referral program. While the overall cost of services will be somewhat reduced,
payment options will be available if needed. The Surgery Center is not a full service hospital, however, nor will
emergency services be offered. “We anticipate our clients will maintain relationships with their existing veterinarians for routine pet wellness care and diagnostic services,” says Surgery Center manager Tracie Cota.
The Surgery Center is named for Phil Scholz, a Pleasanton resident and pet lover who lost his life in January 2014 while rescuing another man from the Santa Clara rail tracks during his commute home. A supporter of Valley Humane Society with his wife Emily, Scholz deeply valued the organization’s mission to create a brighter future for cats and dogs by supporting and strengthening their shared bond with people. Scholz’ legacy of selflessness and compassion is well-remembered by those who knew him, including his colleagues at NVIDIA who raised more than a third of the total project funding to secure naming rights in honor of Scholz.
Valley Humane Society’s Phil Scholz Veterinary Surgery Center is expected to open on Spring Street in Pleasanton within weeks for shelter and rescue surgeries and be fully operational by May 2023. For more information or to donate in support of the project, visit valleyhumane.org/surgery-center.