I’d like to have my dog or cat spayed or neutered, but I can’t afford it. Are there any low-cost options?
YES! There are definitely low-cost options for spaying and neutering your pet. If you live in central Arkansas, I recommend the Arkansans for Animals clinic in southwest Little Rock. Their low-cost spay and neuter program is called Operation Save. They also hold a regularly scheduled low-cost wellness and vaccination clinic for your pet. You can schedule an appointment for either service online. And they also take feral cats in traps without an appointment, so if you’re a trapper, this is a great option.
Some of the other local rescue organizations often hold spay/neuter clinics or provide low-cost vouchers that can be used with certain veterinarians. You just have to watch for these. If you need help finding the best low-cost option for you, please reach out!
I don’t let my dog or cat roam, so why should I spay or neuter him or her?
Because all it takes is for your dog or cat to escape one time to either become pregnant, or to impregnate another. So why take that chance? I’ve never owned a dog that didn’t escape at least once, and most escaped a few times. I leave the door open for just a second and they make a break for it, or a neighbor doesn’t close the fence gate quite tight enough, allowing a dog to push it open before I notice it. And cats are notorious for slipping out doors without you noticing. In short, spaying or neutering your pet is the single most important thing you can do to reduce the unwanted pet population.
Also, spaying or neutering your pet has health and behavioral benefits as well. Spaying and neutering prevents certain infections and cancers of the reproductive organs. It also reduces aggression as well as the animal’s instinct to mark with urine or roam. There is really no reason not to spay or neuter your pet.
I want to adopt a pet but don’t know where to start. Where do I go, and what is the process like?
There are so many good options for adopting a pet. First, there are city and county animal shelters that have lots of adoptables waiting just for you. These shelters receive some level of funding from the local city or county, but they also rely on donations and adoption fees as well. Second, there are lots of independent, non-profit shelters, rescue groups, and humane societies with lots of adoptables as well. These independent organizations typically rely exclusively on adoption fees, donations, and volunteers to operate.
The process to adopt is simple! After you pick out your new best friend, you just fill out an application with the organization from which you wish to adopt. Some organizations may perform a site visit, meaning a volunteer will visit your home to make sure it’s appropriate for the animal you’ve chosen, but in my experience, most don’t. If you already have a pet, and you’re adopting from an organization that does not require a site visit, you can ask to bring your pet to the shelter so that he or she can “meet” your new addition. Ultimately, you know your current pet best, so always consider his or her temperament when considering adopting a new pet. You’ll also be asked to pay an adoption fee. These can be anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the organization you choose. For this fee, you get a new pet that is fully vetted, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered. This is a quite a bargain, as vet bills for vaccinations and sterilization are typically much more than the adoption fee charged.
Adoption is really a win-win for all! By adopting, you’re supporting a local rescue organization, saving money on vet bills, and most importantly, saving a life. There’s simply no reason not to adopt!
What if I adopt a pet, but it doesn’t work out? Can I return him or her?
Yes, in almost every situation, you can return an adopted pet to the rescue organization from which it was adopted. In fact, most adoption contracts require that you return the pet to that organization as opposed to rehoming the pet.