Madison, WI — [5/15/26] — 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.
Media Contact:
Lauren Brinkman
Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services
262-424-8807
lauren@underdogpetrescue.org
underdogpetrescue.org
