Renee Cardona’s Mission to End Pet Overpopulation

Renee Cardona’s journey to combat pet overpopulation in Georgia began more than twenty years ago. For the past six and a half years, she has proudly led CatSnip, a mobile spay and neuter service that has served Atlanta and the surrounding areas for over two decades. When Renee purchased CatSnip, she had no idea that only six months later, a global pandemic would challenge everything. COVID-19 forced CatSnip to temporarily shut down, as spay and neuter services were deemed non-essential in Georgia. Yet, Renee and her team refused to give up. With a renewed sense of purpose, CatSnip returned stronger, working seven days a week to meet the overwhelming demand for affordable pet sterilization services.

CatSnip’s mobile clinics are true game changers for Georgia’s communities, bridging the gap between pet owners and accessible, high-quality veterinary care. Each mobile unit is fully outfitted with a complete surgical suite, including oxygen tanks, specialized veterinary equipment, and recovery cages, ensuring that every pet receives the same level of professional care as they would in a traditional brick-and-mortar clinic. These mobile clinics allow CatSnip to travel directly to areas where veterinary services are limited or financially out of reach, providing a lifeline for pet owners who might otherwise struggle to get their animals the care they need.

The impact of these mobile units extends beyond convenience—they play a critical role in preventing pet overpopulation and reducing the number of animals entering shelters. By bringing affordable spay and neuter services directly to the communities that need them most, CatSnip helps owners take proactive steps toward responsible pet care, ultimately decreasing the strain on local rescue organizations and animal control facilities.

Recently, recognizing the growing demand for their services, Renee expanded CatSnip’s footprint beyond its mobile operations by opening a permanent location called All the Fixins in downtown Ball Ground. The name not only pays tribute to Southern heritage but also signifies the expansion of services to include not just cats, but also dogs of all sizes, community cats, and feral populations needing specialized care. This facility provides a stable, fully equipped environment where even large-breed dogs, which may not always be ideal candidates for mobile surgery due to their size, can receive the high-quality care CatSnip is known for.

The addition of All the Fixins strengthens CatSnip’s ability to serve the community in multiple ways. While the mobile units continue to reach underserved areas, the Ball Ground facility provides a central location where pet owners can schedule procedures with more flexibility. It also allows for the accommodation of cases that require a controlled clinic setting, offering another layer of accessibility and care. By combining mobile convenience with a fixed location, Renee and her team ensure that pet owners across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia have more opportunities than ever to take advantage of affordable, expert veterinary services.

A Lifelong Commitment to Animal Welfare

For Renee, animal welfare has always been personal. She first became involved in rescue work as a volunteer, where she witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of pet overpopulation. Seeing countless animals enter shelters and never leave left a lasting impact that continues to fuel her mission today.

At home, Renee lives what she preaches. She cares for 20 cats, many of whom have medical or behavioral challenges, offering them the love and stability they otherwise would not have found. Balancing the demands of running CatSnip is no small task. Renee’s days start early, with her alarm sounding at 1:30 AM, and often stretch late into the evening. Despite the long hours and grueling schedule, she remains committed to her family—some of whom work alongside her—and to her beloved horses.

This is more than a job for Renee; it’s her life’s calling. Her personal sacrifices and hands-on leadership have helped CatSnip not only survive but thrive, even through the toughest times.

High-Quality, Affordable Care That Makes a Difference

What truly sets CatSnip apart is its ability to offer high-quality care at prices that make spay and neuter services accessible for everyone. While private veterinary practices offer these services, the cost can be a major barrier for many families. CatSnip’s veterinarians are specially trained in high-volume, high-efficiency surgical techniques. A neuter can take around 30 seconds, while a spay might take about five minutes—speed achieved through skill and experience, never at the expense of patient safety.

To keep services affordable, CatSnip forgoes certain extras, such as pre-surgical bloodwork or IV catheters for healthy animals. However, they never compromise on core standards of safety, care, and surgical excellence.

For Renee, CatSnip represents far more than a mobile clinic—it’s a solution to a systemic problem. Pet overpopulation creates a devastating cycle: unaltered pets have litters, overwhelmed owners surrender them, shelters overflow, and sadly, euthanasia becomes inevitable. Breaking this cycle starts with one simple decision: spay or neuter. CatSnip makes that decision easier and more accessible for thousands across Georgia.

You can learn more about CatSnip at spadegeorgia.com and follow them on social media. With every surgery, every mile traveled, and every family helped, Renee Cardona and CatSnip are making a real difference—one snip at a time.

To learn more about CatSnip visit:
https://www.CatSnipGA.com
CatSnip
Email: [email protected]