HCAL Spay and Neuter Service

Spay & Neuter Services

spay and neuter services for kitties and cats
high-quality, low-cost

Spay & Neuter Services

Making the decision to spay or neuter your pet is an important one! You are playing a big part in your pet’s long-term health and well-being and also helping decrease the overwhelming number of unwanted pets in San Antonio and Hill Country areas. Hill Country Animal League offers low-cost spay & neuter surgeries and pet wellness services at our clinic. Request your appointment today.

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limited services, unlimited expertise

We are not a
full-service veterinary clinic.

While our clinic is staffed with licensed veterinarians and trained veterinary technicians, we only provide treatment for a limited number of conditions. The services we offer are preventive and will keep your pets healthy, but we do not have the equipment or supplies to diagnose or treat sick or injured pets. If needed, we are happy to refer you to a veterinary clinic in the area.

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Pricing & Surgery Details

Fees are based upon the species, gender and weight of the animal. Click each button for more details on pricing. Discounted pricing is available for those who qualify.

Dogs - Surgery Cost + -

A $25 non-refundable deposit will be made at time of appointment and may be applied to appointments that are rescheduled with a 24 hour notice.
The Hill Country Animal League reserves the right to suspend or decline doing business with individuals or groups for non-payment of fees, failure to follow instructions regarding the delivery or pickup of animals or disrespectful/threatening behavior.

The standard surgical package includes:

  • Surgery
  • Sedation
  • Anesthetic Monitoring
  • Rabies Vaccination
  • DHPP Vaccination, as required by animals age and vaccination history
  • Microchip
  • Pain Medications
Spay Surgery Pricing – Female Dogs
5 – 20 pounds $190
20.1 – 40 pounds $200
40.1 – 60 pounds $210
60.1 – 80 pounds $240
80.1 – 100 pounds* $300
Neuter Surgery Pricing – Male Dogs
5 – 20 pounds $180
20.1 – 40 pounds $190
40.1 – 60 pounds $200
60.1 – 80 pounds $235
80.1 – 100 pounds* $290
Additional Fees for Complications or Add-On Services
Inguinal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) – under 60 pounds $55
Inguinal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) – over 60 pounds $75
Abdominal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $75
E-Collar $6

*Healthy young animals only; older animals with underlying health conditions may not be scheduled for surgery and will be referred to a full-service clinic. Animals over 100 pounds may be required to be evaluated by our veterinarians prior to surgery.

**May require ultrasound prior to surgery at full-service vet clinic.

 

There may be additional complication fees that can range from $60-$120. If you have questions about what these fees may be please give us a call.

 

Other Preventative Pet Care Services

Other preventative pet care services are also available and can be found on our Pet Wellness page.

Cats - Surgery Cost + -

A $25 non-refundable deposit will be made at time of appointment and may be applied to appointments that are rescheduled with a 24 hour notice.
The Hill Country Animal League reserves the right to suspend or decline doing business with individuals or groups for non-payment of fees, failure to follow instructions regarding the delivery or pickup of animals or disrespectful/threatening behavior.

The standard surgical package includes:

  • Surgery
  • Sedation
  • Anesthetic Monitoring
  • Rabies Vaccination
  • FVRCP Vaccination, as required by animals age and vaccination history
  • Microchip
  • Pain Medications
Spay & Neuter Surgery Pricing – All House Cats
All Female Cats $165
All Male Cats $150
Additional Fees for Complications
Inguinal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $30
Abdominal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $55

**May require ultrasound prior to surgery at full-service vet clinic.

 

There may be additional complication fees that can range from $60-$120. If you have questions about what these fees may be please give us a call.

 

Other Preventative Pet Care Services

Other preventative pet care services are also available and can be found on our Pet Wellness page.

Barn/Porch Cats - Surgery Cost + -

  • All surgeries require an appointment.
  • Barn or porch cats MUST be in pet carriers.
  • One cat per carrier. This is for the safety of our vet techs and, most importantly, the cat.

The standard surgical package includes:

  • Surgery
  • Sedation
  • Anesthetic Monitoring
  • Rabies Vaccination
  • FVRCP Vaccination
  • Pain Medications
  • Mandatory Ear Notch
Spay & Neuter Surgery Pricing
Male Barn/Porch Cats $72
Female Barn/Porch Cats $75
Additional Fees for Complications
Inguinal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $30
Abdominal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $55

**May require ultrasound prior to surgery at full-service vet clinic.

 

There may be additional complication fees that can range from $60-$120. If you have questions about what these fees may be please give us a call.

 

Other Preventative Pet Care Services

Other preventative pet care services are also available and can be found on our Pet Wellness page.

Feral Cats - Surgery Cost + -

  • Feral cats MUST be in traps, not pet carriers.
  • One cat per trap. This is for the safety of our vet techs and, most importantly, the cat.
  • Limit of 5 feral cats per visit.
Please note we are not accepting walk-in appointments for Feral Cats until further notice.

The standard surgical package includes:

  • Surgery
  • Sedation
  • Anesthetic Monitoring
  • Rabies Vaccination
  • FVRCP Vaccination
  • Pain Medications
  • Mandatory Ear Notch
Spay & Neuter Surgery Pricing
Male Feral Cats $64
Female Feral Cats $67
Additional Fees for Complications
Inguinal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $30
Abdominal Cryptorchid** (retained testicles) $55

**May require ultrasound prior to surgery at full-service vet clinic.

 

There may be additional complication fees that can range from $60-$120. If you have questions about what these fees may be please give us a call.

 

Other Preventative Pet Care Services

Other preventative pet care services are also available and can be found on our Pet Wellness page.

Spay & Neuter FAQs

Appointments & Costs

Do I need an appointment? + -

Yes! The best and most convenient way to request an appointment is to complete the appointment request form. We’ll respond to your request and get your pet scheduled. You can also give us a call at (830) 249-2341.

Request Appointment

If you’re a rescue organization, you can work directly with our team to register your organization and schedule appointments for multiple animals.

Appointments for Rescue Orgs

Effective 8/15/22, a $25 deposit will be applied to your surgery bill to secure your appointment. This deposit can be refunded/credited if cancellations/reschedules are given with a 24 hour notice. Does not apply to rescues/ferals/porch cats.

How much does spay & neuter surgery cost? + -

Good question! You can see a complete list of prices above. The prices for surgery vary based on a few factors, including the type of animal (cat or dog), sex, weight, any pre-existing conditions, and if complications arise during surgery.

Do I qualify for any additional discounts? + -

You might. Read more about our requirements to receive discounted pricing to see if you qualify. While our spay & neuter and pet wellness prices are lower than most full-service veterinary clinics thanks to donations, we do offer a deeper discount to those with an annual family income of less than $49,000. Removing as many barriers as possible for ALL pet owners is an important part of our mission to reduce pet overpopulation in our community.

Before and After Surgery

What do I need to do after I schedule an appointment? + -

Once you’ve requested an appointment either online or by calling (830) 249-2341, be on the lookout for an email from our team to confirm your reservation.

 

Next, you’ll need to complete the appropriate forms. You can bring these with you the day of surgery.

Download Forms

The check in time for surgery is on your scheduled day (Monday – Thursday) between 7:30 A.M. and 8:30 A.M.

 

Be sure to also read and follow the instructions in our Surgical Care Guide. You can always reach out with questions by completing our contact form or by phone at (830) 249-2341!

What do I need to know before and after the surgery? + -

Download our Surgical Care Guide for a complete list of instructions for before and after your pet’s surgery. We will provide you with printed after care instructions so that you are comfortable caring for your pet after surgery.

 

A few of the most important things to remember are:

  • ALL spay & neuter surgeries require a drop-off between 7:30am – 8:30am.
  • Pick up is between 3:00pm and 5:00pm.
  • Complete the appropriate authorization forms. Bring these with you on the day of surgery.
  • Do not feed your pet after midnight. They can have water.
  • PREVENT LICKING OF THE SURGICAL AREA.
  • Keep an eye on the incision site for swelling, discharge or redness.
  • Do not bathe your pet for 10 days.
What do I need to know after surgery for a feral cat? + -

Try to keep feral cats in trap for at least 24 hours since it takes time for sedation to be metabolized by their system. If the cat will not settle, release early to prevent the cat from injury. Put trap in bathtub or raise trap to prevent cat from sitting in their own excreta. You may feed a small amount of food and water the evening of the surgery being cautious not to accidentally release cat. Keeping female cats for 3 days is encouraged, if possible, but use your own discretion.

What’s the best way to trap a feral cat? + -

When attempting to trap feral cats, only put a small amount of food in the trap cage the night before surgery with a small bowl of water. You only need a small amount of food (before midnight) for them to smell and approach the trap cage. Once you have them secured in the trap cage, cover them with a light sheet or towel to keep them calm and quiet.

General Spay & Neuter Surgery Questions

What is the difference between a spay and a neuter? + -

The word “spay” refers to the sterilization of female pets. During the ovariohysterectomy, or the typical “spay,” the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed from a female dog or cat. This makes her unable to reproduce and stops her heat cycles and breeding related behaviors.

 

The term “neuter” refers to the castration of male pets. During an orchiectomy, or the typical “neuter,” the testes are removed from a male dog or cat. This makes him unable to reproduce and reduces or eliminates male breeding behaviors.

Why spay/neuter and at what age? + -
Healthy dogs or puppies can be spayed as young as eight weeks.
Female Dogs

We recommend that female dogs be spayed between four and six months. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections, mammary tumors, and pregnancy. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these issues and can help your female pet live a longer, healthier life.

Male Dogs

We recommend that dogs be neutered before nine months. Neutering your dog impacts their long-term health and can protect them from certain forms of cancer and prostate problems. It can also reduce and even stop urine-marking, roaming, excessive barking, and aggression.

Healthy cats can be neutered as young as eight weeks.
Female Cats

We recommend that female cats be spayed between four and five months. Spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle eliminates the risk of mammary cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers, and a fatal uterine infection called a pyometra. Spaying also removes the complications that may arise with pregnancy and birthing.

Male Cats

We recommend that male cats be neutered before five months of age. Neutering your cat eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and reduces the chances of contracting other cancers like Feline AIDS and leukemia. It also reduces and even stops roaming, escape attempts, fighting and urine spraying.

What are the risks involved? + -

The veterinarians at Hill Country Animal League are highly skilled clinicians and surgeons. However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with surgery and the use of anesthetics and other drugs and we want to make sure you’re well aware. While it rarely occurs, complications can result from surgery, including death. We highly recommend pre-surgical blood work be performed at a full-service veterinary clinic before surgery.

 

The following conditions could increase complications:

  • Advanced stages of pregnancy
  • In Heat
  • Advanced Age
  • Heartworms, intestinal parasites, leukemia, underlying heart, lung, liver or kidney conditions

 

If you have any questions or concerns, our team is happy to talk with you or you can view our Surgical Evaluation Criteria.

How old should my pet be before I consider this type of surgery? + -

The minimum age required by the Hill Country Animal League is 8 weeks for both dogs and cats. The minimum required weight for a dog is 4 pounds and the minimum required weight for a cat is 2 pounds. It is our recommendation that both cats and dogs are spayed or neutered by 6 months of age.

My pet just had a litter. When can I spay her? + -

If your pet has had a litter, the babies will need to nurse for 6 weeks. They can be separated when the babies are eating on their own. Once this happens, it usually takes about two weeks for the mother’s milk sacs to dry up. This must happen before the surgery. It is important to get her in as soon as her milk dries up. Many female cats go into nursing heat immediately and can get pregnant while nursing the first litter. Female dogs can go into heat a couple of months after having the first litter.

What are the signs that my pet is in heat? + -

When dogs are in estrus or “heat” they may display the following signs:

  • Swollen vulva
  • Dark discharge from vulva
  • Nervous or agitated behavior
  • Receptive to male dogs
  • Increased licking of genital area

 

When cats are in estrus they may display the following signs:

  • Much more vocal than normal
  • Restlessness or inability to relax
  • More affectionate than normal (she may rub on your ankles or furniture to spread her scent)
  • Seems to want to go outdoors more than normal (to spread her scent further or to find a male cat)
Do you offer other services besides spay & neuter surgery? + -

Hill Country Animal League offers low-cost spay & neuter surgeries and healthy pet services at our clinic. If you’re looking for other preventative pet care services, take a look at all of the services we offer.

see all services
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924 N. Main Boerne, TX
(830) 249-2341

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(830) 249-8040

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