Question 1

Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Accepted Answer

Every year, about a million of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized because they are unable to find homes. Spaying and neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters, protects against certain health issues, and may reduce some unwanted behaviors associated with the mating instinct.

Question 2

Do you currently have any discounts or specials on spay/neuter?

Accepted Answer

Discounts and specials vary greatly throughout the year based on grant requirements, funding availability, and booking space. To see our most current pricing, please visit the Specials & Events page for an up-to-date calendar. You can also email healthypets@sopines.org for assistance.

Question 3

Are there health benefits to altering my pet?

Accepted Answer

Altering your animal prevents uterine infections and cancer in females and prevents testicular cancer in males. If females are altered before their first or second heat cycle, this also reduces the risk of mammary cancer.

Question 4

Will a spay or neuter surgery alter my pet's personality?

Accepted Answer

A spay or neuter surgery will not alter your pet’s base personality. Some changes that you may see instead include reduction of nuisance behaviors such as marking, yowling, and wandering in search of females in heat.

Question 5

At what age can my pet be spayed or neutered?

Accepted Answer

Pets must be a minimum of 2 months of age and no older than 7 years of age to be eligible for surgery.  For smaller pets, they must weigh at least two pounds. We encourage you to weigh your puppy or kitten to ensure they are eligible for surgery.

Our clinic is designed to accept healthy animals for spay and neuter surgeries. If your pet has underlying health problems, the surgery should be performed at a full service vet clinic or be evaluated by our wellness team prior to surgery.  If your pet has not been feeling well, it is best to reschedule the surgery for a later date.

Question 6

If my pet is in heat or pregnant, can she still have surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, however, we require additional supportive care for pets that are in heat, are pregnant, or recently had puppies/kittens. We do not have ultrasound equipment to find out if your pet is pregnant, so we will terminate the pregnancy if the animal stays for surgery. Please let us know if your pet may need these additional services or see your regular, full service veterinary clinic in order to provide the safest care for their spay or neuter surgery.

Question 7

How long should I wait to spay my pet after she has a litter?

Accepted Answer

We recommend waiting 8-10 weeks after your pet has had a litter of puppies/kittens before having her spayed. This is typically 2 weeks after the babies have weaned, to allow her milk to dry up. We require additional supportive care for pets that are in heat, are pregnant, or recently had puppies/kittens. Please let us know if your pet may need these additional services or see your regular, full service veterinary clinic in order to provide the safest care for their spay or neuter surgery.

Question 8

Will my pet stay overnight after their surgery?

Accepted Answer

As a general rule, animals will be discharged on the same day as their surgery. The vet may choose to keep larger dogs overnight for additional supervision. There is a $25 late fee if you are more than 30 minutes late to pick up your pet, or if the pet is left here overnight.

Community cats will be held over for one to two nights, and you will receive a phone call when they are ready to pick up. A late fee of $25 will be applied if they are not picked up the day after their surgery.

Question 9

Why does my pet have to have a rabies vaccination?

Accepted Answer

Per MS state law, you must have a current rabies vaccination for your pet. If your pet does not have a rabies vaccine, we will administer it at the time of surgery for a charge of $15.  If your pet does have a rabies vaccine, please bring proof in the form of a rabies certificate or current vaccination record from your veterinarian.

Question 10

Is a leash/carrier required for my pet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in a carrier.  If you do not have a carrier for your cat, you can purchase a carrier at our clinic for $15.  It is important that your cat is in a secure carrier BEFORE entering the clinic. If you are bringing more than one cat, they must be in separate carriers.

Please refrain from bringing pet's personal items, such as bedding and toys, on their day of surgery.  Due to the high volume of pets seen at our clinic each day, we cannot guarantee the return of these items.

Question 11

What form of payments do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash and credit/debit cards. We also have a method of payment called Scratchpay that allows you to create a payment plan for larger bills.  Currently, we do not accept CARE CREDIT at our Midtown location.

Question 12

Is there a limit to how many pets I can bring in a day?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we prefer no more than five pets per household per day. If you wish to bring more than five pets for spay/neuter in a day, you must pay the full surgery price and a non-refundable deposit. Community cats coming through our TNR program are limited to 3 cats per day. Please click here to learn more about our community cat policies.

Surgery FAQs