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Low Cost Spay, Neuter and Shot Clinics
There are a variety of low cost spay, neuter, vaccination and microchip options in Tucson. Some of these have specific requirements for the owners such as low income, elderly, resident of the Tohono O’odham reservation, and some clinics may specialize in only certain animals, such as male feral cats or pit bulls. If you wish to participate in a spay or neuter clinic, CONTACT THEM IN ADVANCE, you cannot just show up. They will need to advise you about how long before surgery to restrict food and water from your pet (so it does not vomit under anesthesia), and get information on the species, gender, age and size of your pet. Making a reservation helps them plan to have enough space and staff for things to go smoothly. For vaccination and microchip clinics, you can just show up at the event. Please leash your dog, and have your cat in a hard-top container, as animals are often very excited at these events.
A note on how microchip fees work -- the microchip fee you pay at the event is for the chip itself, and the placement of the chip under your pet’s skin, between the shoulder blades. There is an additional one-time fee that you must mail in to the company that produces the microchip. You send in your contact information with this fee, and it is entered into their database so you can be located if you and your pet are separated. I was unaware of this second fee when I had my first dog done, and it was a rude surprise. I think the reason they divide up the process is to ensure that you mail in your contact information. Some clinics may also cover this fee, so ask before going.
The Center for Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) has received a limited amount of funding from the Arizona Pet-Friendly License Plate Spay/Neuter Fund to assist Oracle residents with affordable companion animal spay/neuter. Valid photo ID with Oracle (Pinal Co.) address required. Owned animals and feral cats are eligible. The owner must pre-qualify through CARA, transport their animals to and from the participating vet clinic, and pay for non-spay/neuter costs. The offer is void with declawing, ear cropping or tail docking. Funding is limited, so contact them ASAP at (520) 237-2331 or info@savemoreanimals.org
Tucson has a huge pitbull overpopulation problem; go to any dog shelter in this town, and you will see the highly disproportionate number of homeless pitbulls. FAIR (Foundation for Animals In Risk) has recognized this problem, and taken action with Animal Birth Control clinics to address it. They will provide free spay and neutering of pitbulls throughout the year at both clinics. The Humane Society also offers free spays/neuters for pitbulls. So if you have a pitbull or know someone who does and would like to get them fixed, it could not be cheaper or easier, call ABC East at 745-4564 or ABC West at 624-5005 or the Humane Society at 881-0321.
These groups provide financial help with spay/neuter surgeries year-round:
- Animal Crusader’s Tohono O’odham program provides free flea and tick dips, a shot clinic, and low-cost spay/neuters for reservation residents. Call 327-7427 for more information.
- Spay and Neuter Solutions is a non-profit group that provides spay/neuter certificates to low-income pet owners who are unemployed, have only Social Security as a source of income, are on Food Stamps, receive AHCCCS or are disabled.
- The Good Samaritan Program, run by the Southern Arizona Veterinary Association (SAVA), helps people who qualify for AHCCCS, food stamps, or other government assistance. Call 325-0311 for more information.
- PAL-SAL,(PREVENT A LITTER, SAVE A LIFE) is a Humane Society program for those on Food Stamps or AHCCCS. Call 881-0321 for more information and to request an application. There is a $10 fee.
Low-cost clinics specializing in spay/neuter and vaccinations, open to everyone:
For those elsewhere in the state, the Arizona Humane Society has a mobile spay and neuter clinic that travels throughout the state. In November they will be in Phoenix, Chandler, and Tempe. Click HERE for information on clinic dates, locations, and fees. There are also instructions on what to do to prepare your pet for surgery.
Anyone living in Maricopa County can have their pet fixed free of charge through the county's Big Fix program. Applications are available online (Spanish version also available), and there are participating clinics throughout the valley.
The Animal Defense League has an online Spay/Neuter Hotline, where residents of Coconino, Graham, Maricopa, Mohave, and Yavapai can go for information on clinics in their areas. (The link to Graham County is dead on some of the pages, to get to it, first click on the Maricopa page, and then Graham County).
This is a list of low or no-cost spay and neuter clinics, organized by state, from Coco the Blogging Dog (I have no idea who the author is). It was written at the end of August, 2008, so it should be pretty current.
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