Corpus Christi Animal Non-Profit Receives $500,000 Grant to Control Stray Pets

The funds will help spay and neuter services across nine counties in the Coastal Bend region.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:04pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of several cats playing in a grassy backyard, with warm pools of light and color creating a dreamlike, atmospheric scene that conceptually represents the non-profit's efforts to manage the stray animal crisis.The grant funding will help a local non-profit expand its humane efforts to control Corpus Christi's stray animal population through spay and neuter services.Corpus Christi Today

A Corpus Christi non-profit organization called People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC) has been awarded a $500,000 state grant to help address the city's stray animal population. The money will fund spay and neuter procedures across nine counties in the Coastal Bend region, with the goal of controlling the estimated 150,000 stray cats in Corpus Christi.

Why it matters

Stray and unwanted pets are a major issue in many communities, contributing to animal welfare concerns, public health risks, and environmental damage. This grant will allow PAAC to significantly expand its trap, neuter, and return program to humanely manage the stray population rather than removing the animals.

The details

The $500,000 grant is part of a $13 million statewide spay and neuter program. PAAC will use the funds to offer $10 spay and neuter services through the end of April. The organization utilizes a trap, neuter, and return method to manage the stray population, as removing the animals can create a 'vacuum effect' where other strays move in. Community members are already taking advantage of PAAC's services for their pets.

  • The $500,000 grant becomes available in September 2026.
  • PAAC is offering $10 spay and neuter services through the end of April 2026.

The players

People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC)

A non-profit organization in Corpus Christi that provides animal welfare services, including spay and neuter programs.

Cheryl Martinez

The executive director of PAAC.

Dr. Robert Folgia

A surgeon at PAAC.

Betty Trevino

A community member who utilized PAAC's services for her pet.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, we figure we probably have at least 150,000 cats in our city that need to be spayed or neutered.”

— Cheryl Martinez, Executive Director, PAAC

“Anybody who walks around Corpus Christi will see there's usually strays running around.”

— Dr. Robert Folgia, Surgeon, PAAC

“I didn't want him to be just another number, cause it's a very serious type of treatment. And they put my mind at ease, just the concern and the love that they showed. And the patience that they had with my dog just made me make my decision to come here.”

— Betty Trevino

What’s next

PAAC plans to utilize the $500,000 grant to significantly expand its spay and neuter services across the Coastal Bend region starting in September 2026.

The takeaway

This grant will allow PAAC to make meaningful progress in controlling the stray animal population in Corpus Christi through its humane trap, neuter, and return program. By providing affordable spay and neuter services, the organization aims to reduce the number of unwanted pets and improve animal welfare in the community.