Frequently Asked Questions
Description of Services
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Free spay or neuter
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Free vaccines included if needed
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Free microchip included if needed
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Free e-collar if appropriate
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Free aftercare for surgery related complications
Volunteering
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Check in 7:30-9:00
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Check out 12:00-3:30
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Recovery monitoring 8:45-2:30
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Instrument pack cleaning and sterilization 9:00-3:00
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Cleaning 1:30-3:30
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Outreach on your own schedule or for events
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Training provided
Contact spaytaos@gmail.com for more information
Benefits of Spay/Neuter
Why Spay/Neuter Your Pet?
Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. Spaying and neutering prevent unwanted litters, helps protect against some serious health problems, and may reduce many of the behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.
Early spaying of female dogs and cats can help protect them from some serious health problems later in life such as uterine infections (pyometra) and mammary cancer. Neutering your male pet can also lessen its risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) and testicular cancer. Neutering males can also reduce roaming behavior and decrease their risk of getting hit by a car.
What are the risks of surgery?
Like any surgical procedure, sterilization has some risks related to the procedures themselves and to the anesthesia. Even so, these risks are typically low.
How old and how big does my pet need to be to be spayed/neutered?
The minimum weight and age is 2 pounds and 2 months. However, our veterinarian
recommends waiting for cats to be at least 3 pounds and for dogs to be at least 3 months old.
I have a large breed dog. Should I wait to get my dog spayed/neutered?
It is recommended for certain large breed dogs, such as Great Pyrenees, to be spayed/neutered after they are 1 year of age. The reason for waiting until they are older is to allow their bones and joints to fully develop which will decrease the risk of certain orthopedic diseases later on in life.
Vaccination information
What vaccinations do you provide for dogs?
Rabies and DHPP vaccines are provided at our clinic for dogs and are considered “core vaccines” for dogs. Rabies is required by law and protects against a fatal viral disease that has no cure. DHPP is a combination vaccine that protects your dog from canine distemper, adenovirus-1 (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus. All 4 of these viral diseases are highly contagious and potentially fatal to your dog.
What vaccinations do you provide for cats?
Rabies and FVRCP are provided at our clinic for cats and are considered “core vaccines” for cats. FVRCP is a combination vaccine that protects your cat from 3 highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases; Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia.
Does my pet need to receive boosters after being vaccinated?
If your pet receives a rabies vaccine under 1 year of age, it will need to have a rabies vaccine booster 1 year later. Once your pet is over 1 year of age, your dog or cat will be required to receive a rabies vaccine every 3 years. If your dog or cat is receiving their first DHPP or FVRCP vaccination, it will need to be boostered 3-4 weeks later after the initial vaccine. Once your dog or cat is over 1 year, the DHPP and FVRCP vaccines can be given every 3 years.
What are the risks of vaccinating my pet?
In general, vaccines are very safe and rarely cause serious reactions. The most common side effects are lethargy, mild pain and discomfort at the vaccine site, and occasionally a low-grade fever.
What are the benefits/risks of microchipping my pet?
In addition to free vaccinations, we also provide free microchips to an animal at the time of their spay/neuter surgery. A microchip is a small, grain-sized device that is implanted under the skin in between the shoulder blades of your pet. When the device is scanned, it provides a number linked to the owner’s contact information in a national database. Microchips have reunited many lost pets with their owners. Occasionally, the microchip will migrate slightly away from the original implantation site. Very rarely will an animal develop a swelling or infection at the site of the microchip.
Surgery Day Info
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Drop off time for dogs is between 7:30 and 8:00
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Drop off time for cats is between 8:00 and 8:30
**If your dog or cat is not at the clinic by 9:00, you will need to reschedule your
appointment**
Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier
** If you do not have a carrier, please request to borrow one of ours. Do not carry your cat in without a carrier!**
Pickup for dogs is usually late morning to early afternoon. Pickup for cats is mid to late afternoon. We will text you 1 hour prior to your pick-up time.
**Please do not feed your pet after 10PM the night before, but do leave water available. PLEASE WALK your dog prior to surgery to allow him/her to go potty.**
PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT
Certain breeds of cats and dogs are at higher anesthetic risk and will need to go to a full-service veterinarian to be spayed/neutered. In general, we do not perform surgery on brachycephalic breeds (English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Persian cats). In addition to brachycephalic breeds, there are other breeds of dogs and cats that have a higher anesthetic risk that may be declined for surgery at our clinic.
Lastly, our clinic is for healthy dogs and cats UNDER 6 years of age. If your pet is over 6 years, itis recommended your pet go to a full-service veterinarian. If you are unable to bring your pet to a full-service veterinarian, we will consider performing the surgery at our clinic but pre-anesthetic bloodwork will be required. Please call to discuss further if you have an older animal.