Meet Dr. Carmen Ames, POPP’s Spay and Neuter Clinic’s Resident Veterinarian  

Meet Dr. Carmen Ames, the resident veterinarian of the Pet Overpopulation Prevention (POPP)’s Spay and Neuter Clinic. On a normal day that the clinic is open, she’s performing 25-35 surgeries! Get to know our resident veterinarian better below. 

Before Becoming the Spay and Neuter Clinic’s Resident Veterinarian 

Dr. Ames knew that she wanted to be a vet at a fairly young age. Having grown up around animals and visiting family who lived on a farm, she had several encounters with sick or injured animals. In those moments, instead of being grossed out or afraid, she felt an intense desire to understand what was happening and how to help the animal. 

Once she started looking into a career as a veterinarian more seriously in high school, she quickly realized this was exactly what she wanted to do. She took college credit classes in her senior year of high school through CBC and Running Start. By the time she started college at Washington State University, she was nearly at sophomore standing. She graduated from WSU in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences.  

Dr. Ames then completed her four years at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2003. 

After completing veterinary school, Dr. Ames moved to Idaho to work at a mixed animal practice. She worked there for nearly four years before moving to a different practice in Southern Idaho that focused on small animals. 

She spent seven years at Banfield Pet Hospital before transferring to the Banfield in Kennewick to live closer to family. She spent another seven years there before transferring to a privately owned practice in the Tri-Cities at Desert Veterinary Clinic. 

Becoming the POPP Spay and Neuter Clinic’s Resident Veterinarian 

When Dr. Ames moved back to the Tri-Cities in 2014 while working in general practice, she had heard of POPP. However, at that time POPP was only a foster-to-adopt program. It was not until 2021 that surgeries were being completed at the POPP Spay and Neuter Clinic. 

Around the start of 2024, she was still working at Desert Veterinary Clinic and began looking for something different career-wise.  Around that time, Teresa Isaacson, POPP board member and Treasurer, was a client of the practice where Dr. Ames worked. She had suggested Dr. Ames consider occasionally filling in at the POPP Spay and Neuter clinic, while POPP prepared for the departure of the previous resident vet. Later that year, Dr. Ames saw the posting that POPP was looking for a veterinarian. The more Dr. Ames thought about the opportunity, the more she felt drawn to it.  

“It just felt right, and so I went for it.”  

She has now been with POPP for about a year and a half.  

“It feels really great to give back to the community and educate people on the importance of spay and neuter. To be able to be a part of an organization that has been around for more than 30 years and do what’s right by pets… It feels amazing,” said Dr. Ames.  

Dr. Ames never stops learning in her veterinary career.  

“One thing I really enjoy is learning about new techniques and medications,” she said. “I love seeing new medical knowledge come out that can change the way we treat, prevent, and manage certain illnesses. I feel drawn to preventative medicine.” 

Dr. Ames works hard to push preventative pet care at the POPP clinic. She educates the public about sterilizing pets and how it does more than just prevent unwanted litters. Spaying and neutering, as well as vaccines, can prevent certain cancers and diseases, such as pyometra and testosterone-responsive perianal tumors, in pets that could otherwise be potentially avoidable. 

“It’s not just about what happens to the pets; it’s also very hard on their owners when something happens,” said Dr. Ames. “We two-leggeds are very affected by what happens to our pets.” 

Dr. Ames emphasized that the POPP Spay and Neuter Clinic is not a full-service veterinary clinic. The POPP clinic is limited in what services we offer.  We are a low-income spay/neuter clinic receiving private donations to support this mission of helping low-income individuals/families ensure their pets are spayed/neutered.  

“We are typically doing 25-30 surgeries every day,” explained Dr. Ames. “In order to do that, we have to limit what else we do.” 

When asked what it she likes most about working for POPP, she said: 

“I love the culture and people of POPP. We have great fosters, staff, and volunteers. I really like our board. I enter this space and just feel like… These are my people! I feel so respected and appreciated. And most importantly, I feel like I’m a part of a bigger purpose.” 

Life Outside of the POPP Spay and Neuter Clinic 

When she’s not in surgery at the clinic, Dr. Ames is a mom and leader in the community. She is the mother of15-year-old twins, whom she is currently teaching how to drive. She is very involved with their extracurricular activities, having been a Girl Scout Leader while her daughter was in the program. She is now a 4-H project leader for sheep/lambs. 

“I’ve raised sheep since… About 1987,” said Dr. Ames. “I love being able to teach the group.” 

They are currently raising Hampshire crosses. Because they are raising meat animals, Dr. Ames teaches her group to respect where food comes from, to treat those animals with proper care and dignity, and to take responsibility for what they put into those animals, both for what is appropriate for the animal and the human consumer of that meat. 

Her son no longer participates in 4-H, turning his attention to wrestling. Dr. Ames enjoys exploring potential college wrestling opportunities and future career options with her son. 

Dr. Ames is an active member of Lord of Light Lutheran Church—her childhood congregation—where she currently serves on the endowment team. 

When she finds the time, Dr. Ames enjoys cooking, sewing, photography, and exploring the outdoors.  

A Passionate and Dedicated Resource 

POPP is grateful and lucky to have a passionate resident veterinarian like Dr. Ames. In one month, she spays and neuters more than 400 cats and dogs. Her dedication is part of what makes the POPP Spay and Neuter Clinic possible, helping POPP make a real impact on pet overpopulation in the Tri-Cities area and community.  

Dr. Ames says:  

“Spay and neuter your pets!” 

If you would like to schedule your pets for a spay or neuter appointment, look here.