The Watch Dog: Low-Cost Clinics

Low-cost spay and neuter clinics offer alternative for pet owners.

Are you looking for an affordable way to get Fluffy or Fido “fixed”?

Pet owners across the United States now have more choices with an increase in the number of low-cost spay and neuter clinics that are popping up all over. Such clinics offer affordable spay and neuter services for people who genuinely cannot afford the full, going rate for spay and neuter of their pets or of strays that they may be feeding, which can amount to $200 or more per pet. Clinics are being run by rescue organizations, special programs and shelters.

These clinics are staffed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are experienced in high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter. They are able to keep costs down because their experience makes them highly skilled in performing a large number of pet sterilizations in a short period of time. Many of these clinics often also offset costs through donations and staffing with community volunteers.

In addition to the clinics, a number of states are also setting up statewide hotlines to help put residents in touch with low-cost spay and neuter services. An example is the recently launched SPAY MICHIGAN, a program of All About Animals Rescue, a Warren, Michigan nonprofit organization that adopts out dogs and cats, and sponsors local spay/neuter and vaccination clinics. For information, go to www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org/SpayMichigan.html. The group’s founder and president Amber Sitko says that the hotline is a much-needed resource as the state’s economic conditions make it difficult for many pet owners to afford sterilization.

“We truly believe that most pet owners want to be responsible,” Sitko says. “However, for many, It is a financial burden to do so. We are hoping that the SPAY MICHIGAN hotline provides a way of reaching out to those pet owners who could use a hand.”

Veterinary experts say that spayed and neutered pets live longer lives and avoid many of the health problems that unsterilized pets face including certain cancers. “Fixed” pets also tend to be more sociable and have fewer behavior problems.

For a LIST of low-cost spay and neuter clinics around the United States, go to www.nootersclub.org. Nooters Club promotes spay/neutering and no more homeless pets.