Spay and neuter surgeries are available for healthy pets between 4 months and 6 years of age. Animals 6 years and older are required to have pre-surgical bloodwork for an additional cost of $150.

For the safety of your pet, animals with certain medical conditions may not be eligible for surgery. This can include conditions such as seizures, epilepsy, active infections, broken limbs, stenotic nares, or other health concerns that increase surgical risk.

Pets will be evaluated at check-in, and our veterinary team may postpone surgery if any health concerns are identified.

Yes. All surgeries are by appointment only. Appointments may be requested online, by calling 540-900-7375 (or the SPCA at 540-463-5123 if there is no answer), or in person at 49 Animal Place. Payment for your pet’s procedure is required at the time of scheduling.

Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled; however, no-shows and cancellations made less than 24 hours before the appointment are non-refundable.

For a full list of services and pricing, please visit the “Pricing” page on our website.

Drop-Off:

All pets must be checked in at the clinic between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM on the morning of surgery.

Pet Arrival Requirements:

Cats must arrive in their own secure carrier. Each cat must have its own carrier. If cats arrive in a shared carrier, additional cardboard carriers will be provided at $10 per carrier. Feral cats must be in a live trap covered with a sheet or towel to help reduce stress.

Dogs should remain in the vehicle during check-in and must be brought into the clinic on a secure leash when directed.

Pick-Up:

When you arrive for pick-up, you will come inside the main entrance where our staff will:

- Review post-operative care instructions
- Provide any prescribed medications
- Process any payment balances

Staff will then direct you to your pet.

Pick-up times vary depending on the surgical schedule. Please plan to pick up your pet between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM on the day of surgery. Some pets may be ready earlier, and you are welcome to call after 1:00 PM to check on your pet’s status.

If your pet shows signs of stress or unsafe behavior during recovery (such as chewing at their cage or attempting to harm themselves), you may be contacted to pick up your pet earlier than scheduled. Have your cell phone on during your pet’s surgery appointment should we need to urgently contact you.  

Yes, we can perform a spay surgery on a female pet that is in heat. It is common for pets to come into heat before their scheduled surgery, and we regularly perform these procedures.

However, surgery while a pet is in heat can involve increased surgical risks. During this time, the reproductive tissues are more swollen and have increased blood flow, which can lead to additional bleeding during surgery.

Because of this, some pet owners choose to proceed with surgery while their pet is in heat, while others prefer to reschedule until the heat cycle has passed. Although veterinarians generally recommend waiting until 3 weeks after heat has subsided, we encourage pet owners to review the information available and choose the option they feel most comfortable with for their pet and family.

There is no additional charge if you choose to proceed with the spay while your pet is in heat.

To help ensure your pet’s safety during anesthesia and surgery, food should be withheld after midnight the night before surgery. Pets that have eaten the morning of surgery may need to have their procedure rescheduled for safety reasons.

Water may be left available overnight, but it should be removed the morning of surgery before arriving at the clinic.

Please be sure your pet arrives at the scheduled drop-off time and follows the clinic’s arrival requirements (cats in individual carriers and dogs on secure leashes). 

Most pets recover quickly after spay or neuter surgery, though it is normal for them to be sleepy or slightly groggy the evening after the procedure due to anesthesia and pain medication.

When you pick up your pet, our staff will review post-operative care instructions, including how to care for the incision, administer any medications, and help your pet recover comfortably at home. You will also receive written aftercare instructions to reference during the healing period.

During recovery, it is important to limit your pet’s activity for 10–14 days, prevent licking or chewing of the incision site, and monitor the surgical area daily for any signs of swelling, redness, discharge, or irritation.

If you notice any concerning symptoms, such as excessive swelling, bleeding, vomiting, loss of appetite, or the incision opening, contact our clinic so we can advise you on the next steps. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency after hours, please contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Yes! Rabies and other vaccinations will be administered at the time of your pet’s spay or neuter surgery.

When requesting a surgery appointment, you will have the option to select any additional services, including vaccinations.

For a full list of services and pricing, please visit the “Pricing” page on our website.

Many pets will need to wear a recovery cone (E-collar) after surgery to prevent licking or chewing at the incision site while it heals.

At our clinic, we offer hard plastic cones, as we have found they are the most reliable option for preventing pets from reaching the surgical area. However, we understand that some pets tolerate other options better. Alternatives such as soft cones or recovery suits are also available from many in-person and online retailers.

You are not required to purchase a cone from our clinic, but we strongly recommend having a method to prevent your pet from licking or chewing the surgical site if needed. If you purchase a recovery item elsewhere, please keep in mind that proper sizing is important, and incorrect sizing may not provide adequate protection. When cones are provided by our clinic, they are individually fitted to your pet.

Any recovery device should be used for the full 10–14 day healing period to help ensure proper recovery.

Yes. Pain management is required for all surgical patients to help ensure a safe and comfortable recovery.

Dogs will go home with oral pain and anti-inflammatory medication (either pills or liquid, depending on their size and weight). Dog medications are typically prescribed for a 5-day course, unless otherwise directed by our veterinarian.

Cats will either go home with oral pain medication or receive a slow-release pain injection, depending on their size and the veterinarian’s recommendation. Pain control for cats typically lasts about 3 days, either through oral medication or the slow-release injection.

Our veterinary team will determine the most appropriate pain management option for your pet and will review aftercare instructions at pick-up.

In most cases, a return visit is not required after surgery unless a concern arises during your pet’s recovery.

For routine spay and neuter procedures, we use internal sutures that slowly dissolve as the incision heals, along with surgical glue applied to the outside of the incision. Because of this, staples are not typically used.

Staples are only placed if the surgeon determines they are necessary for your pet’s safety or healing. If staples are used, our staff will provide instructions for when to return for removal.

If you notice any swelling, redness, discharge, or other concerns with the incision, please contact us so we can advise you on the next steps.