There are several opinions out there supporting the pros and cons of spaying and neutering pets, but what we know for sure is that these procedures save lives! Spay and neuter may prevent health issues, it may help with preventing unwanted or undesirable behavioral issues, it eliminates unwanted pregnancies, and it reduces the number of animal deaths. So, let’s get started!
First, let’s start by defining some terms:
SPAY (for females) - Surgical removal of ovaries and uterus. Helps with the prevention of pyometra (uterine infections), uterine/ovarian cancer, mammary tumors and caner.
NEUTER (for males) - Surgical removal of the testicles. Helps with the prevention of testicular cancer, prostate cancer and other related problems. May also help with preventing undesired behaviors (in conjunction with proper training by owner).
TNR (Trap, Neuter & Return) - The process of humanely trapping feral/community cats with a cat trap, having the cat(s) spayed or neutered, tipping the end of their ear to signify that they have been spayed or neutered, and releasing the cat(s) back to the exact area from which they came.
To schedule your pet’s low-cost spay or neuter appointment, please give our office call during our business hours.
Phone: 760-352-1911
Business Hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
*Closed all major holidays*
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE READ ***
Although our spay and neuter program does operate on a weekly basis, we currently have a waitlist with a wait time of about three months. Waitlists for any dog over 40 pounds and for Special Anesthesia Days may have an extended wait time due to the lack of available spots. We are one of two local businesses that are regularly providing spay and neuter services for the entire county. Our shelter does not have a veterinarian on staff so we utilize a veterinarian in Mexicali, Mexico and a veterinarian in Joshua Tree, CA to provide this much needed service to our community. The transport vehicles we use for our program are limited on space, hence the wait times.
We understand the wait time may pose as an inconvenience, but please know that our staff is working hard to accommodate large breed dogs and pets that fall under the Special Anesthesia category in a timely manner. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
Thanks to the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at UC Davis, we were awarded a grant to develop a program which would allow us to provide low-cost preventative care services to the owned pets of our community, and to help decrease the number of pets entering the shelter system. The program we constructed with that funding is called the P.A.W.S. (Prevention of intakes, Animal training, Wellness, and Safe reunification) Program, and went into effect February 1, 2024!
Our low-cost spay and neuter program for the public’s pets operates on a weekly basis; typically on Tuesdays and Wednesday, and most Thursdays. The cost varies depending on the age, size, and breed of the pet. Large breed dogs or dogs that weigh more require more anesthesia for the procedure, therefore the cost is higher. Senior pets (8 years of age and older) and brachycephalic (flat-faced pets such as Persian Cats, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boxers, and some Mastiffs) pets are prone to breathing difficulties during surgery, so we take extra precautions in ensuring the safety of your pet. This of course increases the cost as well. Days that are designated for senior and flat-faced pets specifically are called “special anesthesia days“. These days are only done once a month and are only done on Thursdays.
Pets are dropped off at our location in the morning and will be ready for pick-up later in the evening that same day. We send home all pet owners with a post operative care sheet which explains all the do’s and don’ts, what to watch out for, and what to expect. We also have e-collars or “cones” available to purchase for $5. E-collars/Cones are used to put around the neck of your pet after surgery so they do not lick at their incision.
Low-cost spay and neuter appointments must be paid with cash and no later than one (1) week before the scheduled appointment. To schedule your pets low-cost spay or neuter appointment, please give our office a call business hours.
As per the veterinarian’s requirements, all pets must be at least four (4) months of age, weigh at least three (3) pounds, and must be in good health. When you schedule your pet’s spay and neuter appointment, please make sure to let our staff know if your pet has any known medical or extreme behavioral issues. This information is important and will help us ensure the wellbeing of your pet, other pets, and our staff. To qualify for the low-cost prices below, pet owners must allow us to microchip the pet if the pet is not already microchipped. The microchip is included in the cost and is done at no additional cost to the pet owner. In other words, your pet gets a free microchip!
The cost listed below will stay in effect until grant funding has been exhausted.
Cost of Regular Spay and Neuter:
Cats and kittens: $5
Dogs and puppies 3 to 20 pounds: $25
Dogs and puppies 21 to 45 pounds: $30
Dogs and puppies 46 to 70 pounds: $35
Dogs and puppies 71 to 100 pounds: $40
Cost of Spay and Neuter for Senior and Flat-Faced Pets (Special Anesthesia Days)
Cats and kittens: $70
Dogs and puppies 3 to 20 pounds: $80
Dogs and puppies 21 to 45 pounds: $95
Dogs and puppies 46 to 70 pounds: $105
Dogs and puppies 71 to 100 pounds: $115
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate pets over 100 pounds for Regular Spay and Neuter, nor are we able to accommodate pets over 100 pounds for Special Anesthesia Days. If your pet falls under a weight that we cannot accommodate, please contact Desert Veterinary Group at 760-355-0141 to schedule an appointment through them. Please keep in mind that their prices are different than ours.
Cost of TNR for Feral/Community Cats (Does not include free microchip):
Feral Cats: $5 (includes mandatory ear-tipping. TNR only - Must be FERAL)
Feral cats must come in a humane cat trap. We do rent out cat traps for a $50 cash deposit per trap. Once the trap is returned, the $50 cash deposit is returned to you in full.
Please note that we do not set traps or pick up trapped cats for TNR appointments. The person who scheduled the appointment is responsible for trapping and bringing cat(s) in for their scheduled appointment.
Thank you for being a part of the solution in ending unnecessary pain and suffering by lowering the pet overpopulation problem - Spaying and neutering saves lives. We promise!
(Prices and info updated as of January 30, 2024)
Low- Cost Spay/Neuter and Vaccination events
