Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs 

Click on the link below and simply enter your zip code, and you'll be able to easily see all of the low-cost spay/neuter providers in your area! 

Spay/Neuter Programs

spayusa.org

 

Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter your Pet

  1. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.  
    Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
  2. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.  
    Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer.
  3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.  
    While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house!
  4. Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.  
    An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
  5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved.  
    Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
  6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.  
    Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds-not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
  7. It is highly cost-effective.  
    The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
  8. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.  
    Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
  9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.  
    Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children-especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way. Or better yet- foster a pregnant dog from a shelter! 
  10. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.  
    Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

When to Spay or Neuter your Pet

Dogs and cats should be neutered once they turn 6 months old.

 

Helping your Pet Before and After Surgery

Your veterinary clinic will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your pet any food after midnight the night before surgery. Your veterinarian will also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow. Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, your veterinarian can take various measures to control pain. Depending on the procedure performed, medication for pain may be sent home with your pet. 

Here are some tips for a safe and comfortable recovery:

  • Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.

  • Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends.

  • Prevent your pet from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by distracting your pet with treats or by using an Elizabethan collar.

  • Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery.

  • Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.

​If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea or any other concerns following surgery.