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. 

Outside of work, Andrea enjoys spending her free time reading, watching movies, and listening to music. She shares her home with a lively group of animal companions, including eight playful ferrets, two loyal dogs, and a curious leopard gecko. Her love for animals shines through her full, furry home.

Looking ahead, Andrea plans to continue her journey within the company, growing her skills and staying committed to the field she loves as an LVT. She’s a great addition to the SNVC team!

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.

Outside of the clinic, Jenna enjoys reading, creating art, and napping with her beloved dog. She’s also a passionate writer and a published author—storytelling is one of her greatest joys. When she’s not crafting narratives or cuddling with her pup, she’s surrounded by her five cats, each with their own personality and charm.

Looking ahead, Jenna hopes to one day publish a full-length novel, continuing to share her imagination and creativity with the world. We’re lucky to have such a thoughtful and talented team member!

Ashley joined our team as a Veterinary Assistant in May 2025. Passionate about animal care, she’s especially fascinated by exotic species and is excited to keep growing in the field.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading, catching up on sleep, and hanging out with her bearded dragon, Bruni. She also shares her home with her cat, Kipper—both of whom keep her life full of personality and cuddles.

Her future goals include becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician and ultimately working in an exotics-focused clinic, where she can combine her love for unique animals with her dedication to veterinary medicine. We are happy to have her!

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, Aurora has always found joy in the company of our furry friends. Her 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 she’s not busy at school or work, you can find her immersed in the virtual worlds of video games, exploring new realms through reading, or embarking on epic adventures in tabletop RPGs. These hobbies provide her with endless entertainment and fuel her creativity and imagination.

Currently navigating through her senior year at Cumberland International Early College High School, she is eagerly looking forward to pursuing higher education at North Carolina State. With dreams as big as the wagging tails of our canine companions, she plans to major in Animal Science and deepen her 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.” 

Alyssa has been a friendly face at SNVC since January 2025. Always checking in clients and cats with a smile, she helps keep our clinic running smoothly and ensures every visitor—furry or human—feels welcome.

Outside of work, Alyssa loves spending time gardening, hanging out with her pets, and admiring cars as she’s a true car enthusiast. At home, she’s got a lively crew that includes goats, some chickens, and three dogs who keep life interesting and entertaining.

Her future goals include saving up for a house and eventually starting a family. We consider ourselves lucky to have her as part of our team!

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.

Joaraliss, “Jay,” is a passionate veterinary assistant who joined us here at SNVC in April 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. She is eager to expand her knowledge and skills to better serve the precious creatures that bring so much joy into our lives.