Spay/Neuter FAQs

Spay/neuter refers to the surgical procedure to render a dog or cat unable to produce litters of puppies or kittens. Female animals are "spayed," and male animals are "neutered."

Dogs can be spayed/neutered beginning when they are 3 months old or when they weigh 3 pounds. Cats can be spayed/neutered when they are 2 months old or weigh 2 pounds.

If females are spayed before their first heat (which usually occurs when they are five to six months old), breast cancer can be almost completely prevented. Younger pets also recover more quickly from the surgery and experience less pain following surgery than older pets. In short – the sooner the better.

• Reduces animal homelessness, shelter intake, and euthanasia rates

• Stops reproduction and heat cycles

• Decreases risk of certain types of cancer

• May prevent certain behavioral problems: roaming, fighting, "marking" territory, and aggression

• Decreases risk of reproductive infections

If your pet is very shy, fearful, or reactive, we recommend giving them our Chill Protocol prior to their vaccine clinic or surgery appointment. Our Chill Protocol includes oral sedatives to help canines or felines relax and de-stress.

We will need to see your pet prior to their appointment date to do a quick exam, get their accurate weight, and send the Chill Protocol home with you. We are available to see your pet for their Chill Protocol exam Monday- Thursday, 9:00 - 11:30 AM and 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Please text 615-512-5001 with the date and approximate time that you would like to bring your animal in for a Chill Protocol exam.

(Please note that if your pet cannot be handled safely on the day of their appointment, we will not be able to serve them. We will then ask you to get our Chill Protocol and reschedule their appointment.)

After your pet is spayed/neutered, it is important that they are well cared for to prevent complications. To learn more about what to expect after your pet's surgery, please click here (English) or here (Spanish) to read our post-operative instructions.

Community cats also need to be well cared for after surgery to prevent complications. To learn more about how to care for a community cat after surgery, please click here (English) or here (Spanish) to read our community cat post-operative instructions.