Spay / Neuter Surgical Center – Before Surgery
Our vets recommend that pets are fully vaccinated from communicable diseases (distemper, parvo, and upper respiratory diseases) prior to surgery. Please consult your regular veterinarian for further information. In addition, Pennsylvania state law requires a current rabies vaccination for your pet. Please bring proof in the form of a certificate (tags are not acceptable forms of proof). We are otherwise required to administer one at the time of surgery for a charge of $15.
Adult animals must have food withdrawn the night before surgery at midnight. Animals four months or younger may have food, though all pets can have water.
Pets must be kept indoors or confined the night before surgery. This ensures that they are not eating outside, which could potentially be dangerous during surgery.
Check in for dogs is 8:00 am and check in for cats is 8:30 am. Due to our strict schedule, your pet might not be admitted if you arrive after 9:00 a.m. If you wish, you may collect the paperwork before your appointment to save time.
Check out for dogs is 3:30 pm and check out for cats is 4:00-4:30 pm. Please inform staff ASAP if your animal is being picked up after designated time. Any patient being picked up after 5 pm will be charged a $15 late fee.
Weather permitting-Please leave your animal in your car until you have completed check-in. Once we have your paperwork, and have spoken to you about your animal’s health, you will be asked to bring them in. 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 cardboard carrier for $5.
In female animals, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall, which makes them unable to get pregnant. In male dogs and cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. This prevents the production of sperm, meaning they will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens. Our patients are completely asleep during surgery, and are unable to feel or move.
Your pet will receive a small, green tattoo near the incision site. This tattoo is not another incision—it’s just a small score in the top layers of the skin filled with tattoo ink and covered with surgical glue. The tattoo will ensure that anyone examining your animal will know they have been sterilized.