Dr. Cynthia Eaton is a 2001 graduate of North Carolina State University with degrees in Animal Science and Biological Sciences.  She went on to NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine to obtain a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2005. After graduating, Dr. Eaton completed an equine internship in Kentucky and practiced mixed animal medicine for three years. Dr. Eaton joined the Spay Neuter Clinic in 2008, shortly after the clinic opened. In addition to being the chief surgeon, she has been involved with the growth and management of the clinic since 2008 and took over ownership of the clinic in 2014. Dr. Eaton is very dedicated to the clinic, the animals we serve and the importance of spaying and neutering to not just reduce overpopulation, but also improve the quality of life. When not working, Dr. Eaton enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, traveling and being outside. She has quite a collection of animals on her farm; including cats, horses, goats, ducks and turtles!  

Dr. Eaton has worked closely with multiple non-profit organizations to prepare and implement grants that allow for patients to receive surgeries at hugely reduced rates, well below the cost of surgery.  She feels strongly that the only solution to overpopulation is spaying and neutering and the way to reach the targeted animals is by reducing the cost to owners as much as needed, sometimes that means providing no-cost surgeries.  

“Providing high quality and affordable spay neuter surgeries is the most effective way of reducing overpopulation and reducing the euthanasia rates in shelters. I am proud to be part of the Spay Neuter Clinic and the incredible service that we offer to both pets and owners. For many animals this is their first opportunity for receiving veterinary care and gives us a chance to educate owners about responsible pet ownership.”  

Dr. Pellerito joined SNVC in May of 2022.  She was born and raised in Michigan and received a bachelor’s of science from the University of Findlay in Ohio. She went on to attend veterinary school at Iowa State University and graduated in 2021. She worked at a mixed animal practice in Michigan for 10 months before relocating to NC for the warmer weather and to switch from private practice to non-profit work.  Dr. Pellerito has a special interest in surgery, preventative care and is Fear-Free Shelter Certified. She has two dogs, Fern, a chocolate lab and Clover, an “Ohio stray special.”  When not working, Dr. Pellerito enjoys cooking/baking, rock climbing, training her dogs, hiking, doing hot yoga and going to the beach.  She feels that the work that SNVC does is a huge support to the community in terms of reducing pet overpopulation and providing preventative care to pets whose owners may not otherwise be able to afford these services. 

Annie finished her veterinary technician coursework in the spring of 2023 and joined SNVC in May. She was born and raised in Fayetteville and has two pets- a cat named Monkey and a chihuahua named Taz. Annie’s hobbies include drawing and listening to podcasts, audiobooks and music. Annie is excited to gain the clinical hours necessary to become a licensed veterinarian technician and is interested in going to veterinary school in the future. Annie loves working in veterinary medicine as it allows her to provide care and comfort to the most innocent living beings. 

Alayna is our dedicated lead veterinary assistant on a mission to become a registered veterinary technician. She first joined the team at SNVC in May 2022, and after a brief hiatus working in the animal care field elsewhere, she decided to move back to North Carolina to rejoin our team.

When she’s not busy keeping the surgery flow moving, you can find her unleashing her creativity through various crafty pursuits or spending time with her two adorable Shih Tzus, Ava, and Rufus. Fitness is also a big part of her life – she was a personal trainer and even participated in a powerlifting meet where she broke four national records. However, it didn’t take long for her to realize that her true passion lies in caring for animals.

With a blend of hands-on experience, ongoing education, and unwavering love for all creatures, great and small, she is committed to providing top-notch care and positively impacting every precious life that comes through our doors.

Joaraliss, “Jay,” is a passionate veterinary assistant who joined us here at SNVC back in April of 2024. When she’s not busy caring for our furry friends, you can find her immersed in the pages of a good book, whipping up delicious treats in the kitchen, or weaving intricate designs with yarn as she crochets away.

At home, her heart belongs to four adorable companions – Anasia and Selena, her loyal canine buddies, and Vanilla and Agatha, the dynamic duo of guinea pigs who never fail to impress with their impressive repertoire of tricks. Her love for animals certainly knows no bounds!

As she looks ahead to the future, she is determined to further her education in veterinary medicine, eager to expand her knowledge and skills to better serve the precious creatures that bring so much joy into our lives.

Mayah is a hard-working veterinary assistant who began her journey with SNVC as a volunteer in April 2024. She is now honing her skills and gaining invaluable experience through an internship that is shaping her into a well-rounded professional in the field.

When she’s not working, you can find her hitting the pavement on a refreshing run, tending to a garden, or unwinding under the stars while camping. In fact, she’s conquered not just one but two marathons – a true testament to her perseverance and determination.

At home, she shares her space with two adorable feline companions, Phyllis and Toni, both of whom are two years old.

Her aspirations include relocating to Knoxville, TN, to pursue further education and become a licensed veterinarian. With each step she takes toward this dream, she is fueled by passion and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the world of animal care.

Veronica started working at SNVC in 2020, but has worked with Dr. Eaton on her farm for over 10 years.  Veronica helps with patient prep, recovery, cleaning and preparing the clinic for the next day. Veronica is a major asset to our team and keeps everyone smiling and laughing. If we could clone Veronica 10 times over, we absolutely would! 

As a devoted animal lover with a pack of four dogs and a pride of five cats, Isaac has always found joy in the company of our furry friends. His journey began as a volunteer in the summer of 2024 and quickly turned into a position as a Kennel Assistant, becoming an essential part of the SNVC team.

When he’s not busy at school or work, you can find him immersed in the virtual worlds of video games, exploring new realms through reading, or embarking on epic adventures in tabletop RPGs. These hobbies provide him with endless entertainment and fuel his creativity and imagination.

Currently navigating through his senior year at Cumberland International Early College High School, he is eagerly looking forward to pursuing higher education at North Carolina State. With dreams as big as the wagging tails of our canine companions, he plans to major in Animal Science and deepen his understanding of these incredible creatures that bring so much love and light into our lives.

Ms. Claire has volunteered in every aspect of the clinic, from helping with patient recovery, administrative help and jumping in wherever is needed since shortly after the clinic opened in 2008.  Since 2020, she stepped in to help SNVC on a full time basis and has been an invaluable part of the team since.  She knows every area of the practice by heart and is willing to help wherever the need is.  She can rock charts, as well as prepare animals for surgery and recover them.  I think her favorite task though is taking the nervous small pets and cuddling them the whole day, or perhaps letting them visit with her in her office in the pet stroller.  We would be lost without Ms. Claire and are so thankful every day that she is here to help! 

Lisa joined SNVC in the fall of 2022. Lisa answers phone calls, schedules appointments, takes payments, prepares medical records and makes calls to other veterinary clinics to obtain necessary medical records. Lisa is originally from Canada but has lived all over the world including in Saudi Arabia where she worked as a respiratory therapist and met her husband. Prior to moving to NC, Lisa lived in Lexington, KY where she managed a small spay/neuter clinic through a local humane society. Lisa has two adult children, a daughter and a son, and currently resides with her husband and their 7 cats. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to the beach and beachcomb, swimming, gardening, baking, hanging out with her cats. She and her husband also like to scuba dive and travel. 

“This is the best environment I have ever worked in, including human medicine. I know that the services 

we provide here at SNVC are of the highest quality and help the community. I am inspired every single 

day to do better, reach higher and learn more.” 

JC joined the SNVC team in October 2023. Navigating the intersection of academia and professional practice, JC has been immersed as a full-time Veterinary Technician at The Cat Clinic – A Feline Exclusive Veterinary Hospital since June 2021. On the verge of attaining a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from De La Salle Araneta University this December, his journey has seamlessly blended hands-on experience with scholarly endeavors.

Beyond his academic pursuits, he finds joy in mobile photography and immerses himself in the world of games, particularly Pokemon, Monster Hunter, and other role-playing games. Cross-country cycling is another passion that allows him to embrace the outdoors. JC has two cherished pets, Chloe (ShihTzu) and Pinipig (Guinea Pig). Their well-being motivated him to overcome challenges and succeed in his studies. Alongside them, his late Husky named Vion serves as a constant reminder of his commitment to becoming a compassionate veterinarian. JC hopes to provide house-call services once he finishes his veterinary degree. He also aspires to build a farm and have beef cattle of his own to care for. In essence, his journey from a full-time Veterinary Technician to a prospective Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is woven with a passion for animals, a commitment to affordability in veterinary care, and a vision of a future where he contributes to the well-being of both small and large animals.