Bay Area Woman's Last Wishes: Donate $400K To Help Animals

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Mendocino County supervisors approved a $408,000 gift last week to the county's Animal Care Services department from the Margery Pfund Living Trust to expand spay and neuter services countywide.

Margery (Stein) Pfund, 80, died in Walnut Creek in April 2025. She lived in Brentwood, Oakland and Ukiah during her life.

"We are deeply grateful to the Margery Pfund Living Trust for this extraordinary contribution," Amy Campbell, director of Animal Care Services, said. "This gift honors Margery Pfund's legacy of compassion and commitment to animals, and it will have a lasting impact on our community for years to come."

Campbell said it is too early to know exactly how the donation will be deployed. "It is very early on in terms of how the funds will be used for spaying and neutering," she said. "I don't have specifics yet, but I can say that it will all be used to support spaying and neutering for Mendocino County animals."

According to the department, the donation is critically needed as the county continues to struggle with pet overpopulation, owner surrenders due to economic hardship, shelter overcrowding and a shortage of veterinary services.

Department staff said the new funding will allow the department to "reach underserved areas, assist more families and ensure that every animal has a healthier, safer future."

For more information about upcoming spay and neuter services, call the Animal Care Services clinic line at (707) 463-4782 or visit https://www.mendoanimalshelter.com.

By Lin DueBay, Bay City News

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