Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA -- compassion and care for all animals

 

Our public spay neuter clinic is a low cost clinic for cat and dog owners residing in one of the following cities: Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino and Sierra Madre. If you do not live in one of these cities, call your local animal shelter to see if they have a program for your pets.

Here are some frequently asked questions about spaying and neutering and our Spay/Neuter program:

What is spaying and neutering?

• Spay/neuter surgery removes the reproductive organs so cats and dogs cannot have babies. Spaying or neutering your pet will also remove the drive to mate so they will be less likely to roam, fight for territory, and develop future medical problems associated with the reproductive organs.

• When should I spay or neuter?
  Most pets can be spayed or neutered when they are between 2 and 5 months old—before they are sexually mature. Pets that are spayed or neutered before they reach maturity are typically healthier. Ask your veterinarian about the right age for your pet.

 

What are the age and size requirements at your clinic?

• Pets must be a minimum of 2 months old and weigh at least 2 pounds to have surgery. For the safety of pets over 5 years, we suggest a “full panel” blood test before your pet has spay/neuter surgery. You must obtain these results from your private veterinarian.

 

Are there any other requirements?

• If your pet is under one year of age, he/she must be fully vaccinated 2 weeks prior to surgery. You can get this done at your veterinarian or, Pasadena Humane Society holds low cost public vaccination clinics frequently, so you may want to bring your pet to one of those. This is a safety precaution for pets.

What is the cost to spay/neuter my pet at the Pasadena Humane Society?

• Cost depends on the type of animal you have and whether your pet needs vaccinations and/or a microchip.
  SNiP FEES:

• These are standard fees and DO NOT include charges for medication, other procedures or any complications

Cats
Female	Male
$65.00 (+$20.00 if in heat or +$35.00 if pregnant)*	$45.00 (abdominal cryptorchid $55)*
*Felv/ FiV testing $25

Dogs
Females & Male Abdominal Cryptorchids*		Male
Weight	Price	Weight	Price
0 - 20 lbs	$105 (+ $30 if in heat, pregnant, and for pyometra)	0 - 30 lbs	$80.00
21 - 50 lbs	$120 (+ $40 if in heat, pregnant, and for pyometra)	31 - 70 lbs	$90.00
51 - 85 lbs	$140 (+ $50 if in heat, pregnant, and for pyometra)	71 - 100 lbs	$100.00
86+ lbs	$155 (+ $60 if in heat, pregnant, and for pyometra)	101+ lbs	$105.00
Extra charge may apply at Doctor’s discretion if dog is overweight or the procedure requires more than the average time.
*Cryptorchid or retained testicle: Please let us know if your dog has this condition
All Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes and Chihuahua or Chihuahua mixes up to 15 lbs are sterilized and microchipped at NO COST to you. Please note your dog(s) will be assessed to determine whether or not they meet the required breed and weight specifications.

How do I make an appointment?

• If you live within our jurisdiction, call or email the SNiP coordinator (snip@phsspca.org) and leave your full name, address, phone number and a description of your pet. A representative will contact you to finalize the date and details of the appointment.

Will I have to wait for an appointment?

• The wait for a SNiP appointment can be 2-12 weeks depending on the type of pet you have. The program is in high demand and available appointments fill up quickly. For information about the next available appointment call ext. 138 or email the SNiP coordinator.

Is the surgery dangerous or painful for my pet?

• Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. Healthy pets are at very little risk and experience little to no pain. Pets are given anesthesia and do not feel the procedure. With a minimal amount of home care, pets will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

Do I really need to fix my male cat or dog? I don’t want him to feel like less of a man.

• Male pets do not experience a loss of identity from neutering. Neutering will not change his basic personality. He may however, be less likely to break out of your property or display aggressive behavior associated with mating.

My dog is purebred. Should I still spay her?

• One in four dogs brought to shelters around the country are purebred. The reality is, there are too many pets, purebred and mixed breeds, and not enough homes for all of them.

Will my pet get fat or lazy if they are spayed or neutered?

• Lack of exercise and overfeeding makes pets fat and lazy, not spaying and neutering. Spayed and neutered pets are typically healthier and actually live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets.

What else should I know about spaying and neutering?

• Spay/neuter surgery benefits the community. It reduces pet overpopulation and leads to fewer unwanted dogs and cats in shelters and on the street.

There’s a wild cat on my property that I can’t touch but needs to get fixed. What should I do?

• These wild, unsocialized cats are called “feral” and need spaying and neutering too. Click here for more information about the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.