Frequently Asked Questions
Spaying is the name of the procedure for female pets.
Neutering generally refers to the procedure for male pets. In both cases
the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia.
Do I need to make an appointment to have my pet spayed or neutered?
Yes, appointments are necessary for surgery. Call us at 661-831-6000 to schedule your appointment.
How does the appointment process work?
Check-in begins every day at 8 a.m. You must be here by no later than 8:30 a.m. to ensure that your pet will have surgery on your appointment date. If your pet is coming in for surgery Monday-Thursday, you will pick them up the following morning at 7:30 a.m. It is important that you pick-up your pet promptly the next morning, because the kennel your pet is housed in needs to be sterilized and made ready for the next round of pets coming in for surgery. On Fridays, all pets who come in for surgery should be picked up by 2:30 p.m., so staff can finish getting the hospital cleaned and ready for the new week.
Will my pet need to stay overnight?
Monday through Thursday, all pets coming in for surgery will stay overnight. On Fridays, we only perform surgery on male animals, and they will be ready to go home no later than 2:30 p.m. that afternoon.
Does my pet have to be current on its vaccines in order to have surgery?
Our vets highly recommend that pets are vaccinated from communicable diseases (distemper, parvo, and upper respiratory diseases) at least two weeks prior to surgery. In addition, California state law requires a current rabies vaccination for your dog. Please bring proof in the form of a rabies tag or certificate. We are otherwise required to give your dog a rabies vaccination at the time of surgery for a charge of $15.
For your convenience, we do offer vaccinations at out clinic on a walk-in basis Monday - Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Are there income restrictions to use your clinic?
No. As a community alliance, all who wish to have their pets sterilized at our clinic are welcome.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, credit cards or debit cards. We do not accept personal checks. We also accept vouchers from Kern County animal welfare organizations that can further discount the cost of surgery for your pet.
Is the staff experienced?
The Veterinarians & Staff are licensed and trained specifically in high-volume spay/neuter surgery. The staff adheres to the standards for Spay/Neuter Medical Care Guidelines developed in 2008 by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians' Veterinary Task Force to Advance Spay/Neuter.
Why does your clinic only focus on spay and neuter?
As a spay/neuter clinic we are able to perform surgery on more pets on a daily basis, rather than scheduling surgery around other types of appointments. Our ability to perform a high volume of surgeries each day helps keep our pricing affordable for everyone.
How old does my pet need to be in order to be spayed or neutered?
The age requirement for surgery is 12 weeks & weighing at least 3 pounds. Younger animals tend to recover more quickly from sterilization surgery, thus making it easier on pets and owners alike.
Are there risks?
With any surgical procedure there is always risk, but we take every step possible to minimize risks for your pets. Pets are constantly monitored by hand or with specialized monitoring equipment during surgery.
How frequently will my dog or cat go into heat?
Dogs go into heat about every 6 months. The heat cycle lasts about 3 weeks.
Cats generally experience their first heat at around 4-5 months of age and will repeatedly cycle unless spayed or impregnated.
Can litter mates get pregnant?
Yes, litter mates can create litters of their own.
How long after my dog has puppies can she be spayed?
Approximately two weeks after the litter is weaned, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after birth.
Will neutering my male cat stop him from spraying?
If your male cat is neutered before he starts spraying, the chances increase that he will not spray. If he is already in the habit of spraying, chances are unlikely that the neutering will completely eliminate this behavior.
Will my pet’s behavior change after surgery?
Your pet’s behavior will not change except that male dogs and cats may be less likely to fight or roam and females will no longer go into heat. Spaying and neutering helps all pets by reducing the number of dogs and cats entering our shelter system.
Yes, appointments are necessary for surgery. Call us at 661-831-6000 to schedule your appointment.
How does the appointment process work?
Check-in begins every day at 8 a.m. You must be here by no later than 8:30 a.m. to ensure that your pet will have surgery on your appointment date. If your pet is coming in for surgery Monday-Thursday, you will pick them up the following morning at 7:30 a.m. It is important that you pick-up your pet promptly the next morning, because the kennel your pet is housed in needs to be sterilized and made ready for the next round of pets coming in for surgery. On Fridays, all pets who come in for surgery should be picked up by 2:30 p.m., so staff can finish getting the hospital cleaned and ready for the new week.
Will my pet need to stay overnight?
Monday through Thursday, all pets coming in for surgery will stay overnight. On Fridays, we only perform surgery on male animals, and they will be ready to go home no later than 2:30 p.m. that afternoon.
Does my pet have to be current on its vaccines in order to have surgery?
Our vets highly recommend that pets are vaccinated from communicable diseases (distemper, parvo, and upper respiratory diseases) at least two weeks prior to surgery. In addition, California state law requires a current rabies vaccination for your dog. Please bring proof in the form of a rabies tag or certificate. We are otherwise required to give your dog a rabies vaccination at the time of surgery for a charge of $15.
For your convenience, we do offer vaccinations at out clinic on a walk-in basis Monday - Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Are there income restrictions to use your clinic?
No. As a community alliance, all who wish to have their pets sterilized at our clinic are welcome.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, credit cards or debit cards. We do not accept personal checks. We also accept vouchers from Kern County animal welfare organizations that can further discount the cost of surgery for your pet.
Is the staff experienced?
The Veterinarians & Staff are licensed and trained specifically in high-volume spay/neuter surgery. The staff adheres to the standards for Spay/Neuter Medical Care Guidelines developed in 2008 by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians' Veterinary Task Force to Advance Spay/Neuter.
Why does your clinic only focus on spay and neuter?
As a spay/neuter clinic we are able to perform surgery on more pets on a daily basis, rather than scheduling surgery around other types of appointments. Our ability to perform a high volume of surgeries each day helps keep our pricing affordable for everyone.
How old does my pet need to be in order to be spayed or neutered?
The age requirement for surgery is 12 weeks & weighing at least 3 pounds. Younger animals tend to recover more quickly from sterilization surgery, thus making it easier on pets and owners alike.
Are there risks?
With any surgical procedure there is always risk, but we take every step possible to minimize risks for your pets. Pets are constantly monitored by hand or with specialized monitoring equipment during surgery.
How frequently will my dog or cat go into heat?
Dogs go into heat about every 6 months. The heat cycle lasts about 3 weeks.
Cats generally experience their first heat at around 4-5 months of age and will repeatedly cycle unless spayed or impregnated.
Can litter mates get pregnant?
Yes, litter mates can create litters of their own.
How long after my dog has puppies can she be spayed?
Approximately two weeks after the litter is weaned, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after birth.
Will neutering my male cat stop him from spraying?
If your male cat is neutered before he starts spraying, the chances increase that he will not spray. If he is already in the habit of spraying, chances are unlikely that the neutering will completely eliminate this behavior.
Will my pet’s behavior change after surgery?
Your pet’s behavior will not change except that male dogs and cats may be less likely to fight or roam and females will no longer go into heat. Spaying and neutering helps all pets by reducing the number of dogs and cats entering our shelter system.