Actress Katherine Heigl And Her Mom Commit To Helping Riverside County Pets

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Actress, model and producer Katherine Heigl has a love for animals that runs deep in the family.

Last week, it was announced that the Riverside County Department of Animal Services has partnered with the Jason Heigl Foundation to bring accessible, low-cost spay and neuter services to the East Coachella Valley.

Established in 2008 by Katherine Heigl and her mother, Nancy Heigl, the Jason Heigl Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare and advocacy. It's named in honor of Nancy's son (Katherine's older brother), who died in the days after a 1986 traffic tragedy. He was one week shy of his 16th birthday when his family made the gutwrenching decision to take him off life support.

"Inspired by the passion their beloved son and brother, Jason, had for all living things, the Foundation carries forward his spirit of compassion while reflecting the Heigls’ own deep and ongoing commitment to ending animal suffering," according to the foundation's website.

The Jason Heigl Foundation created the Namaste Spay & Neuter Initiative. Through qualified partners, the program fully funds mass spay and neuter events. "Namaste Days" provides pet owners with free access to surgeries while easing the burden on shelters. The foundation's partnership with Riverside County "is an extension of our Namaste Initiative, which has been highly successful throughout the country," Nancy Heigl said.

East Coachella Valley is an area where veterinary access has long been limited and the need for humane population control is significant. Through this new collaboration, the Jason Heigl Foundation will support an expanded spay/neuter initiative designed to reduce pet overpopulation, improve animal welfare, and empower families with essential resources to keep their pets healthy and at home.

"The Heigl Foundation is committed to the belief that spay/neuter is the ultimate solution in reducing shelter overpopulation and preventing unwanted litters. We believe that focusing on a single community, with good partners, will provide a model that is scalable and can be repeated across the country," Nancy Heigl said.

"We are excited for this partnership to enhance the great work already being done by local organizations and community members bringing essential services to the East Coachella Valley to support pets and families who need it most," said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. "I look forward to building a program that will truly save lives."

RCDAS Director Mary Martin said the partnership will have a meaningful and lasting impact on pets and families in the East Coachella Valley.

"By working with the Heigl Foundation, more spay/neuter providers working in the Valley can be supported to bring critical services directly to the community, reduce shelter intake, and support the well-being of animals who deserve compassionate care," Martin said.

More information will be announced soon for residents in the East Coachella Valley, officials said.

To adopt, foster, rescue or volunteer with RCDAS, visit www.rcdas.org. For more information about the Jason Heigl Foundation, visit www.jasonheigl.foundation.