Meet Dorell Phillips-Sackett | Director of the Spay-Neuter Action Project of San Diego

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dorell Phillips-Sackett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dorell, what principle do you value most?
There are so many values I strive to uphold each day in my work with one of the most important local non-profits for animal welfare here in San Diego County, SNAP or Spay-Neuter Action Project. Honesty, Compassion, Responsibility, Loyalty, Courage, Kindness, and Open-Mindedness are all essential in my role as we face daily challenges and acheivements.

With limited funding and countless animals and people needing help, I aim to be generous yet fair. Creativity is crucial in finding new ways to reach more people and pets, while courage is needed to push through opposition from those who may not understand the significance of our mission.

I bear the responsibility for the well-being of both the animals and the people involved. I must ensure that we support individuals working hard to do good, while still being able to care for themselves and their families. I am deeply grateful for the volunteers and donors who give their time and money to help those who cannot help themselves, but are willing to try.

Loyalty to our supporters and team members who dedicate their talents to this cause is vital. I have immense respect for those who love their pets and work hard to do the right thing for them, often putting their pets first. At the same time, I recognize the need to respect and educate those who may not yet understand what is best for their animals, guiding them toward the right choices.

Kindness to all—people and animals alike—is key. Each day is a gift, and I hope for a world where everyone, human and animal, is treated with kindness and respect.

Spaying and neutering dogs, cats, and rabbits is the only way to significantly reduce the number of unwanted pets and address the disastrous effects of overbreeding, trendy pet purchases, and backyard breeding. Animals suffer in shelters and on the streets, and we simply cannot adopt our way out of this crisis. The only sustainable solution is spaying and neutering, which is why SNAP is committed to offering the most affordable and free services in San Diego County.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of having an amazing and supportive family here in the beautiful city of Encinitas. I’m also proud to be part of a coalition of passionate animal activists who are making a real difference across San Diego County.

I am deeply grateful for the volunteers, staff and friends who have helped SNAP grow from just one Neuter Scooter running 2 days a month, to multiple mobile units and a stand alone spay center operating in tandem up to 30 days a month! Last year alone, we were able to spay and neuter nearly 10,000 pets for low-income families, significantly reducing the number of shelter pets by the hundreds of thousands.

Our mission is to bring these essential services to every corner of the county—from underserved neighborhoods and tribal communities to homeless encampments, shelters, churches, community centers, parks, and libraries. We work in both urban and rural areas, making sure no community is left behind. Despite our low overhead, we’ve managed to achieve so much in reducing pet suffering and preventing the overwhelming number of unplanned litters.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I drive all over San Diego County, and as a 30-year vegan, I love exploring the amazing vegan-friendly restaurants here. When staying close to home in Encinitas, my go-to spots are Plumeria and Modern Times. Swami’s and Ki’s are classic favorites, and Lotus Café is always a fun option as well.

I love the sunshine and fresh air, and walking outdoors is my form of meditation. When I have guests, I take them to explore our beautiful lagoons and beaches in Encinitas, from Seaside to Grandview. A walk through Balboa Park is also a must, where we enjoy the gardens and museums.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize the original revolutionary group of SNAP founders, but most importantly two, who I worked very closely with, Maggie Houlihan and Candy Schumann. Both were smart, vibrant, and unwavering champions for both people and animals. Their dedication continues to inspire me every day. In moments of challenge, I still find myself asking, What would Maggie and Candy do?

Website: https://www.snap-sandiego.org

Instagram: snap_spayneuter

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorell-sackett-660bbb5

Twitter: https://x.com/SNAPspayneuter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpayNeuterActionProject/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/snap-spay-neuter-action-project-encinitas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR2T6p3YMgORNeDQqtLQMxQ?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
photo credits memories2life