Spay & Neuter Clinic

Spay/Neuter Assistance

The Florida Keys SPCA offers low-cost, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs. This service is available to low-income households and fees are waived for individuals indicating financial need.

We offer free spay/neuter surgeries for feral cats as part of our community trap-neuter-release assistance. In addition, we offer free spay/neuter surgeries for Pit Bull and Pit Bulls mixes through our Pit Fix Program.

Facts about Spaying and Neutering

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the U.S. with too many animals ending up in shelters across our country. It is estimated that 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year. Only about half of those animals will find homes. The other half will be euthanized. Spaying and neutering is the most important step we can take to end the suffering and to improve the lives of companion animals.

Why Spay-Neuter Your Pet?

• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when the pet is spayed before the first heat.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and the incidence of prostate disease.
• Neutering makes a male cat less likely to spray and mark territory.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away or get into fights.
• And, you will be helping to fight the devastating effect of pet overpopulation.

Spaying/Neutering Fact and Fiction

MYTH: Female pets should have one heat or one litter before being spayed.
FACT: According the American Veterinary Medical Association, having a litter does not benefit your female cat or dog. In fact, spaying your cat or dog before her first heat can greatly reduce their risk of breast cancer. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.

MYTH: Spay and neuter surgeries are risky.
FACT: Just as with people, there are risks involved with any surgery but the overall incidence of complications is very low. Altering your pet eliminates the risks of certain diseases such as ovarian or testicular cancer as well as lowering the incidence of mammary cancer in females. It also lowers the risk of being hit by cars as unneutered males are more likely to roam away from home.

MYTH: I will find a home for all the kittens or puppies in my pet’s litter.
FACT: While you may find a home for all the kittens or puppies in your pet’s litter, each one means one less home available for an animal waiting in a shelter. Additionally, consider if your pet’s puppies and kittens also end up having puppies and kittens. Will all of these animals find homes?

MYTH: My pet is a purebred, surely her puppies won’t be turned into a shelter.
FACT: Approximately one-fourth of the animals brought to shelters in the U.S. are purebred. The simple fact is that more animals are born than there are homes for them – both mixed and purebred.

MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy.
FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.

MYTH: My pet is so wonderful. I want to have a puppy (or kitten) just like her.
FACT: Any parent knows that your children are not going to be carbon copies of yourself. The same is true for your pet. Even professional breeders know this. Besides, there are lots of very special shelter pets waiting for homes.

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