What We Do (and Don’t Do) at Hill Country Animal League
One of the most common questions we receive is, “What services does Hill Country Animal League provide?”
Hill Country Animal League (HCAL) is a nonprofit organization that specializes in affordable, high quality spay/neuter surgeries and wellness care for dogs and cats throughout the Texas Hill Country.
Our mission is to help pets live healthier lives by making essential veterinary care more accessible while reducing pet overpopulation. By focusing specifically on these services, we’re able to help thousands of pets each year while keeping care affordable for the families and rescue organizations who depend on us.
Understanding what we do—and what we don’t do—helps ensure your pet gets the right care at the right time.
Why HCAL Specializes in Spay/Neuter & Wellness Care
Every veterinary practice serves an important role, but not every clinic provides the same types of services.
HCAL was created with a specific purpose: to provide affordable spay/neuter surgery and wellness care for as many pets as possible. Rather than operating as a full-service veterinary hospital, we focus on services that have the greatest long-term impact on pets and our community. This specialized approach allows us to:
- Make spay and neuter surgery more affordable and accessible.
- Help prevent disease through vaccinations and wellness care.
- Support rescue organizations and community cat programs.
- Keep more pets healthy and with the families who love them.
Because we specialize, we’re able to serve thousands of pets every year while maintaining high-quality care at an affordable cost.
That work is made possible by an entire community. Every appointment, thrift store purchase, donation, grant, and volunteer helps make affordable veterinary care available to more pets across the Hill Country.
What We Do
HCAL focuses on the preventive services that helps pets stay healthy throughout their lives.
Spay and Neuter Surgery
Spaying and neutering are among the most important things you can do for your pet’s long-term health. These procedures help prevent unwanted litters , reduce the risk of certain diseases, and improve overall health and behavior.
Affordable Wellness Care for Dogs & Cats
In addition to affordable spay and neuter surgery, HCAL offers low-cost wellness services to help keep dogs and cats healthy throughout every stage of life. Whether your pet is due for vaccinations, needs a microchip, or is simply staying up to date on routine care, our goal is to make essential wellness services accessible and affordable.
Dog Wellness Services
We offer a variety of wellness services for dogs, including:
- Wellness office visits
- Rabies vaccinations
- DHPP and DHLPP vaccinations
- Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations
- Heartworm testing
- 4DX heartworm testing
- Microchipping
- Nail trims
- Anal gland expression
Cat Wellness Services
Our cat wellness services include:
- Wellness office visits
- Rabies vaccinations
- FVRCP vaccinations
- FVRCP/FeLV vaccinations
- 3-Way Combo testing
- Microchipping
Our team can also help you understand when your pet is due for recommended vaccines, what services may be appropriate based on your pet’s age and lifestyle, and answer questions before your appointment.
For a complete list of current services, pricing, and vaccine recommendations, visit our Pet Wellness Services page.
What We Don’t Do
Because we focus on preventive care, there are some services that are best provided by a full-service veterinary clinic.
Emergency Care
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, including difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, trauma, poisoning, seizures, or collapse, please seek immediate care from an emergency veterinary hospital.
Care for Sick or Injured Pets
We are not equipped to diagnose or treat pets that are ill or injured. If your pet is vomiting, has diarrhea, is limping, has an infection, or is showing signs of illness, they should be seen by a full-service veterinarian.
Dental Cleanings
We do not perform dental cleanings or other dental procedures. Your regular veterinarian can evaluate your pet’s dental health and recommend appropriate treatment.
Ongoing Veterinary Care
We do not provide comprehensive wellness exams, chronic disease management, surgeries beyond our preventive services, or long-term medical care. Every pet should have a relationship with a primary care veterinarian for routine checkups and medical needs.
Pet Adoptions
Although we work closely with many rescue organizations, HCAL is not an animal shelter or adoption agency. We do not have pets available for adoption or accept owner surrenders.
Choosing the right provider helps ensure your pet receives the best possible care while allowing HCAL to continue serving thousands of pets each year through affordable spay and neuter surgeries and wellness care.
Need Help? We’re Here to Point You in the Right Direction
If you’re unsure whether HCAL is the right place for your pet’s needs, we’re happy to help.
Before calling, we encourage you to explore our service pages and FAQs, where you’ll find answers to many of the questions we receive every day. If you’re still unsure, our team is always happy to point you in the right direction, even if that means referring you to another veterinary provider.
Whether you schedule an appointment, shop at our thrift store, volunteer your time, or make a donation, you’re helping make affordable care possible for pets across our community.