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The Best Low-Cost Spay And Neuter Options 

Sophia Surrett  |  July 11, 2022

Spay and neuter surgeries can be expensive. Here’s a look at the best low-cost options available nationally. 

As cute as puppies and kittens may be, animal overpopulation is a huge problem, and one of the first moves responsible pet owners should make is getting your fluffy BFF spayed or neutered. Unfortunately, although these surgeries are essential, they’re not cheap — especially if you go through a private veterinarian, and most pet insurance policies don’t cover spay/neuter services. (In rare instances where they do, you’ll need to pay for a wellness plan add-on, says LendEDU, Educated Financial Decisions Media.) Luckily, there are resources nationwide that offer free or cheap spay or neuter surgeries. 

At most clinics — even the low-cost ones, you’ll pay more or less depending on your pet’s age, gender and weight. And female animals of all kinds will generally have a higher cost than males. Spaying a dog can be as much as $400 at a private clinic, and neutering can run as much as $250. Spaying a cat can cost as much as $500 at a private clinic, or neutering as much as $300. At low-cost clinics, these surgeries can run between $150 and $75, which, even though discounted, is still enough to put a dent in your monthly budget. Here’s a look at some national cheap or free options to consider, one (or more!) of which should be local to your area. 

Animal League

North Shore Animal League America is the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. On their website, you can search your zip code or town to see the closest low-cost spay and neuter clinics. This one-stop-shop helps limit the time searching for the cheapest option and best clinic near you. The Animal League has even titled the movement “SpayUSA” to help pet owners get referrals quickly and easily. You can contact them with questions by email, SpayUSA@AnimalLeague.org, or by phone number, 1-800-248-SPAY (1-800-248-7729). 

United Spay Alliance

The United Spay Alliance conducts has a national database for low-cost spay/neuter clinics in each state. On their website, they offer a look at spay/neuter referral programs shown as an interactive map that allows you to click on your state and see the specific resources closest to you. Don’t lose hope if these don’t show many clinics around you — some clinics gatekeep their prices from the internet, so if you know of a clinic near you, don’t be afraid to make a call and see what they have available.   

Low-Cost Pet Resources

The Low Cost Pet Resources website has a nationwide directory for each state to find low-cost or free resources for your furry friend. Not only do they offer resources for spaying/neutering, they also offer resources for affordable pet food, vaccines, veterinary care and more, depending on your state. When clicking on the spay/neuter option, you’ll see a list of veterinary clinics that offer low-cost surgeries and discounted spay/neuter services. 

Friends of Animals 

Friends of Animals (FoA) sells certificates that pet owners can purchase and use at participating clinics for lower-cost spay/neuter surgeries. The certificates cover the spay/neuter cost of the surgery, but not any additional services the veterinarian clinic may require. The cost of each certificate is as follows: Male Cat ($61), Male Dog ($74), Female Cat ($85), and Female Dog ($160). If you have any questions, contact FoA at their email spayprogram@friendsofanimals.org, or their phone number 1-800-321-PETS. 

Local Certificates & Resources

These resources are a great place to start on your search for affordable spay/neuter clinics, but remember there’s nothing like asking your local vet about their deals that you can apply, or resources that you can turn to. The ASPCA also recommends calling your local humane shelter to see if they have any information on low-cost spay/neuter clinics or if they have programs themselves in place to help pet owners afford the surgery… And don’t forget to check reviews of the clinic before you trust them with your furry bestie!

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