Spay and Neuter

Please read these FAQs before registering for an appointment. It's Important! If they don't answer your questions, please CALL our phone line at 440-462-0008 (this is a call line only, no texting) MWF 9am-noon, Sat 9am-11am. Please only call AFTER you have read all the FAQs and don't find answers. We are getting lots of calls and have few hands to help. Thank you!

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Dogs and cats will be transported to specialized spay neuter clinic outside of Ashtabula County. The Animal Welfare Center collaborates with PetFix in Euclid (Cats only) and Humble Creatures Animal Clinic in Canton (Dogs & Cats).

The program is open to all residents in Ashtabula County.

All dog transports go to Humble Creatures in Canton. IF YOU WANT YOUR DOG TO GO TO PETFIX, YOU NEED TO TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE CLINIC AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT DIRECTLY WITH PETFIX 216-732-7040

Cat transports mostly go to PetFix, but sometimes also to Humble Creatures.

Vouchers (see additional info in FAQs) only apply to PetFix clinic!!

What does "spay" mean?

"Spay" refers to the surgery a female cat or dog gets so they can no longer reproduce. The uterus is removed.

What does "neuter" mean?

"Neuter" refers to the surgery a male cat or dog gets so they can no longer reproduce. The testicles are removed.

Do I need to qualify to participate in this program?

No, this program is open to all pet parents (dogs and cats only)

I live outside Ashtabula County - can I still register for an appointment?

Yes, but only if you live in the near vicinity of Ashtabula County (e.g Madison)

I receive government assistance (Medicaid, SS Disability, SNAP etc) - can I get financial assistance?

Yes, subsidized fees are available, but currently only for PetFix transports. In addition, you can get vouchers for FREE spay neuter of cats.  You will need to bring proof of qualifications to the appointment . Check this list to determine if you qualify: Subsidy Qualification List 

**************************VOUCHERS APPLY TO PETFIX TRANSPORTS ONLY************************************

Ohio Paws With Purpose (formerly Willowick Food Pantry ), provides additional financial assistance - at PetFix clinic only -  for those who receive government assistance.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A VOUCHER YOU MUST FIRST REGISTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT!

  1. Register your pet for a PetFix transport date (vouchers are only valid for PetFix!). When you get to the point of Payment, choose the "Voucher" option and complete your registration. You will receive a registration confirmation via email.
  2. Follow the instructions below to obtain a voucher from Ohio Paws With Purpose (formerly Willowick Pet Food Pantry)
  3. After you have been approved for the voucher, REPLY TO THE REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL to let AWC know you were approved. Also, bring proof to your appointment.

To obtain the voucher(s) from Ohio Paws With Purpose, email the info below to ohiopawswithpurpose@gmail.com   

  1. Full name, address, phone number and photo ID 
  2.  Proof of government assistance
  3. Name and photo of pet(s) 
  4. Date of transport to PetFix ( let them know it's through the Animal Welfare Center)
  5. NOTE: photos have to be clear and up close, each pet one photo and no humans in the photo

    NOTE: The voucher includes FREE spay neuter+ rabies vaccine for cats (max. 2 cats/year). Payment is made directly to PetFix in the form of a voucher. 

I have a cat - what is the cost?

$76 females, $58 males. Fee includes surgery + rabies vaccine

If you qualify for "subsidy rate" (see Subsidy Qualification List), the fee is $41 (male or female), including a rabies vaccine

If the cat is a stray or feral (outdoor only) the fee is $31-$42, depending on the clinic (includes at a minimum rabies vaccine, some clinics include other services in the fee)

Payment is due at time of registration. There will be a card processing fee that will be due at check-in (we cannot afford to pay for this due to the sheer number of clients. AWC is a non-profit with no financial support from the government)

There are additional, optional, services also available that you can choose when you fill out the surgery form at check-in. You will get a list of services and their fees in the registration confirmation email, due in CASH at check-in.

Due at check-in is also a $10 Service Fee per pet. You will have an option for a refund at check-out if you elect to get a FREE,  NO-OBLIGATION insurance quote (auto,home etc) from Tracie Brown's State Farm office in Ashtabula, phone 440-998-7410. They will donate $10 to AWC for each quote. You may refer family and friends to get quotes on your behalf. One quote per pet. Without this support from our community, we cannot continue offering programs. We get no government funding.

I have a stray/feral cat outdoors - what is the cost?

If the cat is a stray or feral (outdoor only) the fee is $31-$42, depending on the clinic.

Payment is due at time of registration. There will be a card processing fee that will be due at check-in (we cannot afford to pay for this due to the sheer number of clients. AWC is a non-profit with no financial support from the government)

There are additional, optional, services also available that you can choose when you fill out the surgery form at check-in. You will get a list of services and their fees in the registration confirmation email, due in CASH at check-in.

Due at check-in is also a $10 Service Fee per pet. You will have an option for a refund at check-out if you elect to get a FREE,  NO-OBLIGATION insurance quote (auto,home etc) from Tracie Brown's State Farm office in Ashtabula, phone 440-998-7410. They will donate $10 to AWC for each quote. You may refer family and friends to get quotes on your behalf. One quote per pet. Without this support from our community, we cannot continue offering programs. We get no government funding.

NOTE: we can only accommodate cats in traps on the transports going to PetFix - for all other transports, strays must travel in a carrier. Please do not put a feral cat in a cat carrier!

I have a dog - what is the cost?

All dog transports go to Humble Creatures in Canton. At the current time, we are unable to provide extra subsidies for families who receive government assistance. PetFix provides subsidy fees for families receiving government assistance - IF YOU WANT YOUR DOG TO GO TO PETFIX, YOU NEED TO TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE CLINIC AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT DIRECTLY WITH PETFIX 216-732-7040

DOG FEES

  • Females 2-20#: $125               Males 2-20#: $110
  • Females 21-40#: $130             Males 21-40#: $115
  • Females 41-60#: $145             Males 41-60#: $120
  • Females 61-80#: $160            Males 61-80#: $130

 includes rabies vaccine, 3 days pain medication, e-collar (plastic cone)

Payment is due at time of registration. There will be a card processing fee that will be due at check-in (we cannot afford to pay for this due to the sheer number of clients. AWC is a non-profit with no financial support from the government)

There are additional, optional, services also available that you can choose when you fill out the surgery form at check-in. You will get a list of services and their fees in the registration confirmation email, due in CASH at check-in.

Due at check-in is also a $10 Service Fee per pet. You will have an option for a refund at check-out if you elect to get a FREE,  NO-OBLIGATION insurance quote (auto,home etc) from Tracie Brown's State Farm office in Ashtabula, phone 440-998-7410. They will donate $10 to AWC for each quote. You may refer family and friends to get quotes on your behalf. One quote per pet. Without this support from our community, we cannot continue offering programs. We get no government funding.

Is the surgery done in Ashtabula County?

No. This is a transport program to specialized spay neuter clinics outside Ashtabula County. We partner with PetFix in Euclid and Humble Creatures Clinic in Canton.

How many pets can I register for a particular transport?

You can register a maximum of 5 cats for a particular transport, and a maximum of 2 dogs. We do make exceptions, but special arrangements are needed. Please email executivedirector@awcashtabula.org

NOTE: dog and cat transports are on different dates i.e. you cannot send your dog and cat on the same transport

Which clinic will my pet be going to?

Dog transports go to Humble Creatures. Cat transports go to PetFix twice per month, and additional transports may be provided to Humble Creatures if the demand for spay neuter services are high.

Can I drive my pet to the clinic myself?

Yes, but only if the transport is to PetFix. When you register your pet, make sure to state in the comment box that you want to drive your pet yourself

Where do I bring my pet?

It depends on the transport. After you click on a transport date to initiate registration you will be able to read details such as where we are meeting. We currently have the following meeting locations (note: each transport only picks up at ONE location!)

  • Ashtabula Twp Admin Office building, 2718 North Ridge Rd East, Ashtabula (corner of Rt 20/Rt 11, opposite to Enterprise)
  • Harpersfield Twp Hall, 1324 Harpersfield Rd, Geneva (off of Rt 534, just south of the I-90/Rt 534 Geneva exit)

What time do I bring my pet?

It varies with which clinic the transport is going to.

Humble Creatures Clinic: check-in is 6 am

PetFix: Check-in is 7 am

What time do I pick my pet up?

Cats come back from PetFix at 4pm

Cats come back from Humble Creatures around 6pm

Dogs come back from Humble Creatures around 4 pm, but may be as late as 6pm

Can a friend or relative drop off or pick up my pet?

Yes, but please make sure they know enough information about your pet so they can fill out the surgery form on your behalf. They need to know DOB, if the pet is up-to-date on rabies and flea treatment, and whether there is any current medical condition. They also need to know if you want any additional services, such as distemper vaccination, nail trim, flea treatment, deworming and microchipping.

My pet is in heat - can she still have the surgery?

Yes

My pet is pregnant - can she still have the surgery?

Yes, the clinics will spay a pregnant female cat at any point in pregnancy. Some clinics will not spay pregnant dogs.

How old does a KITTEN or PUPPY need to be to have the surgery?

The minimum age is 8 weeks, and the minimum weight is 2 pounds.

My pet is over 5 years old - can he/she still have the surgery?

Yes, but the clinics recommend, and sometimes require, doing a blood test to make sure the pet is healthy enough for surgery. Some clinics can do the test prior to surgery, for other clinics it needs to be done at a local vet clinic. You will find details in the registration confirmation email.

Can my pet get a Rabies vaccine?

Rabies vaccine is included in the fee. If your pet is up-to-date, bring paperwork from the vet clinic (a tag is not sufficient proof).

Can my pet get a distemper vaccine?

Yes, at an extra cost of $15-$20, depending on the clinic

When you fill out the surgery form in the morning of the appointment, you can choose this option.

Can my pet get a nail trim?

Yes, it is FREE at Humble Creatures. The cost is $10 at PetFix.

When you fill out the surgery form in the morning of the appointment, you can choose this option.

Can my pet get flea prevention?

Yes, at an extra cost of $10-$20 (depending on the product/clinic)

When you fill out the surgery form in the morning of the appointment, you can choose this option.

Can my pet get a microchip?

Yes, at a cost of $10 if you qualify for the "subsidy rate", and $15 for all others.

When you fill out the surgery form in the morning of the appointment, you can choose this option.

Can my CAT get tested for FIV and FeLV?

PetFix does not offer this. The cost is around $25-$30 at Humble Creatures.

When you fill out the surgery form in the morning of the appointment, you can choose this option.

Can my pet get dewormed?

Yes, at Alter Clinic and Humble Creatures

No, at PetFix.

My pet is already fixed - can I get just the vaccines?

Not as part of the spay neuter program. We have monthly vaccination clinics at various locations in Ashtabula County - see www.awcashtabula.org/vaccination-clinics for more info.

Other ways to access vaccination services: Tractor Supply in Ashtabula (clinics every Sunday) and Madison. Other options are VetIQ walk-in clinic in Mentor (Meijer building) and VIP clinic inside Pet Supplies Plus in Willowick.

How do I register my pet?

You need to register via the Animal Welfare Center's online registration system via this website. Click on the photo of the Cat or Dog at the bottom of this page.

All transport dates are full - how do I sign up?

The spay neuter program is on-going - more dates will be coming. We open registration about 2-3 weeks prior to the transport dates and make announcements on our FB page when a date is opened for registration. ALL registrations are done online - we do not take phone registrations (the exception is if you do not have internet access).

All transport dates are full - when is the next one?

The cat transports to PetFix are the second and fourth Thursday of each month

The dog transports to Humble Creatures is typically the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. There are no dog transports to PetFix.

The dates for the cat transports to Humble Creatures vary and is based on demand

When do I need to pay the fee?

Payment in full for surgery + rabies vaccine is due at time of registration. You can choose additional optional services when you check-in on the date of the appointment, and the payment for those is due in cash at check-in, unless otherwise noted. The registration confirmation email will list the optional services available at the clinic you have registered for, and what the cost is for each.

What are the Payment Options?

You can pay via PayPal or with a Credit/Debit card at time of registration.

How Do I Cancel? Will I Get a Refund?

Call our phone line at 440-462-0008, MWF 9am to noon OR respond to the registration confirmation email.

If you cancel 8 days or more before your appointment date, you will get a 50% refund. If you cancel 7 days or less before your appointment date NO REFUND is given. We will attempt to reschedule you for the next transport, but there are no guarantees. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT!!  The clinics we work with give us a certain number of slots and we are expected to fill those.

I have a DOG - do I need to bring a crate/kennel?

No. The transport van provides kennels

I don't have a cat carrier - what do I do?

Try to borrow a cat carrier from your family or friends. If you are unable to borrow one, you can borrow one from us. However, be VERY CAREFUL with how you bring your cat in the car. We have had 2 people lose their cats on the parking lot. You MUST be able to bring your cat safely, and transfer him/her to the cat carrier.

NOTE: some transports require hard plastic carriers. Refer to the registration confirmation email that is sent after you have registered.

Cardboard boxes of any kind are not permitted on the transport

I have a rabbit - how can I get spay neuter surgery?

Alter Clinic in Canton provide surgeries for rabbits. We do not provide transport. For more information, visit Alter Clinic's web page

Where can I find pre and post surgery instructions? 

The name of the clinics are listed for each date available for registration. If you don't remember the name of the clinic, refer to the registration confirmation email that was sent to you the same date you registered.

PetFix pre and post surgery instructions

I have read all the FAQs but still have questions. What should I do?

First, re-read the FAQs to make sure you haven't missed any info. If you still have questions, call (no texts!) Animal Welfare Center's phone line at 440-462-0008  MWF, 9am-noon. Don't wait to the last minute as our phone line is only open 3 times a week. If the phone line is closed and you have urgent questions, please email executivedirector@awcashtabula.org

 

Click on the Images to Begin Your Registration (dogs and cats are registered separately)