Spay/Neuter Programs
Why Spay or Neuter Your Pet? Every day in the US, shelter workers are forced to euthanize healthy kittens, puppies, cats and dogs because not enough good homes are available for them. The Humane Society of the US estimates that from three to four MILLION cats and dogs are euthanized every year. Those outside the shelter system may suffer as strays, rarely surviving for more than a few years. Many of these tragic deaths are preventable. By simply spaying or neutering the companion animals that bring us such joy and love, we can humanely end their overpopulation crisis and eliminate unnecessary euthanasia and suffering in our community. Did you also know that spayed or neutered pets may live longer, healthier lives? Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering a male cat or dog (before six months of age) prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer, which can be fatal. (Fact: A female spayed before her first heat, approximately six to nine months of age, has one-seventh the risk of developing mammary cancer as does an intact female). In addition, behavioral changes caused by spaying and neutering can also help protect your pet. Neutered pets focus less on searching for a mate, which can risk injury in traffic or fights with other males. “Spraying” and “mounting” are undesirable behaviors of an un-neutered male pet. Un-spayed female pets experience “heat” cycles in which bloody discharge may be witnessed, in addition “yowling” and frequent urination may occur.
Thanks for being part of the solution to pet overpopulation. Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing the testicles) is a common veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia. All pets must be current on their rabies vaccination in order to receive this procedure, which may be administered during the same appointment. Dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered at any age from 8 weeks, it’s called juvenile or early spaying/neutering. The most common age to spay/neuter is around 5-6 months. The Gualala Veterinary Clinic and other veterinary clinics will normally perform the procedure at 5 to 6 months of age, though many shelters and other veterinarians, including the Mendocino County Care-A-Van (link) will perform the juvenile or early procedure. There is no upper age limit to spay/neuter unless failing health is a factor. Please contact your veterinarian directly about the appropriate age for your particular pet.
The Redwood Coast Humane Society provides financial assistance to low-income pet owners through their year -round Low Cost Spay Neuter program. When funds are available, a Free Spay/Neuter month is offered in which the full cost of the procedure is covered by the Redwood Coast Humane Society. Watch for local advertisement of this special program. Pitt-bull and Rottweiler breeds are particularly overpopulated and are more difficult to find homes for. Therefore the Redwood Coast Humane Society provides spay/neuter services free of charge to these pet owners to encourage the performance of the spay/neuter procedure on these breeds. The Mendocino County Care-A-Van (link) (707-463-4782) and the Gualala Veterinary Clinic (707-884-3313) provide these services for the Redwood Coast Humane Society program. You are encouraged to contact them directly to inquire the costs of the procedure for your pet. Should you need financial assistance, please contact The Redwood Coast Humane Society at 707-884-1304 for more information, or write to: PO Box 1072, Gualala, CA 95445 Other regional agencies which provide financial aid for pet Spay/Neuter service: Mendocino
Coast Humane Society – 707-964-SPAY, Eileen
Hawthorne Fund for Animals – (Cats only) 707-964-7453,
Mendocino County Care-A-Van – 707-463-4782 The Mendocino County Department of Animal Care & Control : Mobile “Care-A-Van” Mendocino County Animal Care & Control Care-A-Van is a state-of-the-art mobile spay/neuter surgery vehicle. They offer affordable spaying and neutering for cats and dogs. Vaccinations are also available. The Care-A-Van visits Point Arena Veterans Hall several times a year. Appointments are available by contacting Bliss Fisher at (707) 463-4782. Costs:
Cats: Male $20, Female $35 Vaccinations range from $8 – 12 each. Thank you for being part of the solution.
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