Spay/Neuter Info and Fees

How do you know if your pet is old enough to be spayed or neutered?  Female cats are usually old enough at 4 months.  Large breed female dogs are ready at 4 months old and smaller breed female dogs are ready at 6-8 months old. Male cats and dogs are ready as soon as you can feel their testicles.  We will not spay or neuter pets weighing less than 4 pounds or over 100 pounds.

Sterilization appointments are required. Rabies must be current.  If rabies is not current, the $5 injection will be given at the time of your appointment.

Pet check-in is between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. the day of surgery.  Checkout is 5:30 p.m., the same day.  (Unless other arrangements are made).

We do not perform any routine blood work at Cause for Paws prior to surgery other than owner-requested heartworm and feline leukemia tests.  If your cat tests positive for feline leukemia or AIDS, we will not spay or neuter it.

At check in, you will read, fill in and sign a release form.  One of the statements on that form reads,

“…surgery involves the use of anesthetics and drugs and that injury to or death may conceivably result from the surgery and accompanying procedures.”  

If you have concerns about your pet's health or ability to survive surgery, we suggest you take your pet to your local, full service veterinarian for blood work and a health evaluation.

As of December 2007, Cause for Paws has performed over 10,000 sterilizations of which pet loss is less than .005 %.  These losses were due to unknown, undiagnosed circumstances such as heartworm disease, congenital defects, heavy parasitism, uterine weakness due to pet age and number of litters, allergic reactions to anesthesia, etc.

Once again, if you have doubts about your pet's health, contact your full service veterinarian.

NOTE:  During surgery, your female pet will be tattooed on the inside, upper part of a rear leg.  The tattoo resembles "Ø".  This symbol is recognized by all veterinarians to indicate that the pet has been altered.  This prevents your pet from being put through unnecessary surgery should she become lost, stolen, etc. and the new owner is unable to determine if the pet has been fixed.   There is no cost for this service.  It is required.  Please seek the services of another veterinarian clinic for sterilization if you don't want your pet tattooed.

The cost for neutering or spaying is, as follows: