SPAY & NEUTER CLINIC
Our clinic provides low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs at our Palo Alto shelter.
Para obtener información sobre nuestra clínica de esterilización y castración en español, haga clic aquí.
all other bay area communities
Low-income pet owners who reside in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County may register here. To qualify, the pet owner must be within income limits and provide proof of income.
If you do not qualify for our services, we recommend that you check your local municipal shelter for their spay and neuter services or make an appointment with a private veterinary clinic. You can find your local shelter here.
REQUIREMENTS
+ Deposit and Pricing
- A $50 deposit is required per animal to schedule an appointment. The remaining balance must be paid on the day of surgery.
- Please view pricing here.
+ Eligibility
- Minimum age is 4 months
- Surgery patients must be healthy. Pets with current symptoms of illness or untreated health problems should be treated by their primary care veterinarian before being scheduled for surgery.
- We are not accepting brachycephalic breeds at this time (flat or smushed-nose pets, such as but not limited to Pugs, French or English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, or Persian cats).
- We require Von Willebrand Factor (blood test) for Doberman Pinschers prior to surgery. This blood test should be done at your private veterinarian, but can be done at Pets In Need for an additional cost. Cannot be done on same day as surgery.
+ Additional Services and Charges
- All animals are required to wear a cone collar (e-collar) when discharged. Clients may bring their own cone collar; if they do not, there will be a $10 charge for an e-collar at the time of payment.
- All animals 7 years and older are required to undergo pre-operative bloodwork. An additional fee of $150 will apply.
- Additional charges may apply if your pet is obese, pregnant, cryptorchid, geriatric, or has any increased risks related to breed or other conditions that may require additional diagnostics, monitoring, or treatment at the time of surgery.
- All pregnant animals will have their pregnancies terminated at time of spay.
- All pets will receive a complementary nail trim unless otherwise requested.
- All dogs at least 4 months of age and residing in Palo Alto, Los Altos, or Los Altos Hills are required to have a current rabies vaccination and a valid license. We ask that you leave our clinic with both of these. For more information about licensing, visit www.petsinneed.org/licensing. A rabies vaccination is required for dogs in all cities. A rabies vaccination may be required for cats in some cities. For more information, please contact your local shelter at www.petsinneed.org/shelters.
+ Arrival and Discharge
- Dogs and cats 4 months of age and older should not be fed after midnight the night before their surgery appointment. It is not necessary to withhold water.
- Drop-offs must occur between 8:30 - 9:00 am on the day of the appointment. Late arrivals will not be accommodated and deposits will not be refunded.
- All dogs must be on leash and all cats must be in a carrier.
- Pets must be picked up between 3:00 - 4:30 pm the same day. Clients should not wait for a call to pick up their pets. Pets that are not picked up by 5:00 pm the day of surgery will be kept overnight and incur a boarding fee.
+ Cancellation Policy
- If you need to cancel your appointment, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance.
- If you do not notify us of the cancellation 48 hours before your appointment or if you do not show up, your deposit will not be refunded.