
Spay and Neuter FAQs
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For every one child born, there are seven pets born. At this rate there will NEVER be enough homes for all of them. This results in many of them being euthanized in shelters simply because they were born. By sterilizing our pets we help reduce the number being born with no homes to go to, ensuring that more of them will have a family of their own for life.
In addition to an unwanted litter, spayed/neutered pets are:
- Less likely to run away
- Less likely to bite
- More trainable
- Have no messy heat cycles
- Less likely to urine mark and/or spray
- Less likely to develop certain types of cancer
HOPE’s rule is that your pet must be at least 3 months old and weight at least 3 pounds. Additionally, your pet must be healthy enough for the surgery, which our vets will determine before the surgery.
*Please note: If your pet has received any steroidal injections in the past 30 days we need to know that when you schedule them for surgery.
*Please note: If your pet has received any steroidal injections in the past 30 days we need to know that when you schedule them for surgery.
We have options available for financial assistance. Please visit our assistance page for more information.
Although it may be your intention that your pet never leave your yard or home, accidents do happen and it just takes one escape to end up with a litter of furbabies. Just ask your local animal control officer how many times he or she has heard that one! It is these unplanned litters that fare the worst.
Absolutely not! Our clinic adheres to a medical protocol model dictated by the Humane Alliance and the American Veterinary Medical Association. For more information on our medical protocols visit www.humanealliance.org.
Yes. All veterinarians employed by HOPE are licensed and hold a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Each of our vets have years of experience in a private practice setting, as well as in a high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter clinic. Additionally, our vets continue expand their educations through specialized training in spay/neuter surgery.
We consider the comfort of your pet our priority. All pet patients receive two injections of pain medication while in our care. Patients are also sent home with oral pain medication (at no additional cost to you) to ensure their comfortable recovery.
Under normal conditions, HOPE uses two methods of closing the surgical site. The inside has been closed using sutures specially designed to absorb during the healing process; no removal is necessary. The outer portion of the surgical site has been closed using a surgical glue which dissolves during the healing process, as well.
No; this is a common misconception. There is no medical or behavioral benefit to waiting until after a pet’s first litter/heat cycle before spaying. On the contrary, spaying your pet before the first heat/litter can reduce the risk of medical complications down the road.