Program Information
The YCHS has historically offered a low cost spay/neuter program. This program allows the general public to have their personal pets altered through an out-of-house service (the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in Asheville) that we provide transport to and from. In years past, we received a substantial number of slots each week, and were able to get our own shelter animals altered, along with the public pets. However, in recent years, our available slots have been reduced to only 8 per week, 4 cats (2 male, 2 female) and 4 dogs (2 male and 2 female). Because we have so few slots, we have a backup of 150 shelter animals that need to be altered. We have temporarily paused public sign ups for this program to allow us to catch up on altering our foster/shelter animals in need, as well as those from the public that have previously signed up and are waiting.
We ask for your patience as we try to catch up on this backlog. When we are able to take new sign ups, we will update our website and will make a post on Facebook. Thank you for understanding!
When our low cost spay/neuter program begins again, below is a program overview and some guidelines to assist you in being prepared.
CATS AND DOGS
- Kittens must be at least 12 weeks old and weigh at least 3 pounds.
- Puppies must be 8 weeks old. It is recommended for them to go to surgery without at least 2 sets of core vaccinations. Core vaccines are given in a series of three sets, when your puppy is 8, 12, and 16 weeks old and includes: rabies vaccination, canine distemper, canine hepatitis or adenovirus-2, and canine parvovirus, but that is left up to the owner.
- You do not need to bring your pet in to register him/her for surgery.
The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in Asheville provides canine and feline spay and neuter services for our shelter. Cats and dogs are $75 plus an additional $10 IF your cat/dog is not up to date on his/her rabies vaccine. Surgeries are scheduled once a month, and the date is determined by the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance. It is always on a Monday, however. In order to schedule your dog or cat, you will need to come to the shelter, fill out the paperwork and pay. The required surgery waiver MUST be signed in person; therefore, phone reservations or scheduling is not allowed…no exception.
The price of $75.00 covers only the cost of surgery. If your pet is not up to date on his/her rabies vaccination as indicated above, you will be required to pay an additional $10.00 and you will receive a rabies tag and certificate.
ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance does offer more services at the time of surgery, including microchips, nail trims, etc. If you are interested in additional services, you can discuss this with the shelter staff when you sign up.
There are times when grants are available for spay/neuter at a lower cost or potentially no cost. Just inquire at the time of sign up, or feel free to call us and ask if there are grant funds available to help offset the $75.00 fee.
AFTERCARE
You will receive a post op report that has the surgery information, post op instructions as well as any concerns noted during surgery, i.e. dental concerns, fleas…etc. If you would like to read the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance’s After Surgery instructions, please click HERE.
**Please note for puppies and dogs, we do not have, nor are we given, specific records regarding public animals. Please call the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance center for questions and/or concerns. A toll free 365/24/7 phone number is listed on the handout you receive. If you cannot find the handout, here are the current phone numbers for questions/concerns: during office hours: (828) 252-2079 OR after office hours: (855) 434-9285.