Spay or Neuter
Spaying or neutering your dog helps prevent unwanted litters, supports your dog’s health, and can make more pet support resources available to your family. Did you know that if your dog is spayed or neutered, you can get assistance through ACCT Philly’ pet pantry? Or that a city dog license is only $16 instead of $40?
Why spay or neuter your pet?
- Helps prevent serious health problems like infections and cancer
- Stops heat cycles and bleeding in female pets
- Makes your dog less likely to be taken or used for breeding
- Can reduce behaviors like running away, marking, or fighting
- Prevents unexpected litters
- Includes core vaccines to keep your pet healthy
ACCT Philly
For a limited time, ACCT Philly is facilitating free spay/neuter and vaccines for residents in the 22 most under-resourced zip codes, which are also responsible for more than 50 percent of the dogs ACCT Philly takes in each year. If you live in one of these zip codes and would like to get your dog spayed or neutered for free before then, please fill out the form. The zip codes covered by this effort are 19104, 19107, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19149, 19151 and 19153.
Once you fill out the form, eligible participants will be contacted by Emancipet, the clinic we are partnering with, and they will schedule the appointment for you. Appointments fill up fast so make sure to sign up today. You’ll need to get your dog there that morning, and pick them up later that day. If you need assistance with transportation to get your pet there or to pick them up, please make sure to indicate that on the form. Please note this is only for Philadelphia residents in the zip codes listed above.
PAWS
PAWS offers spay/neuter by appointment, 5 days per week at both of its clinics. To make an appointment, contact the location most convenient to you:
1810 Grant Ave: 215-545-9600 or neclinic@phillypaws.org or make your appointment online here
2900 Grays Ferry Ave: 215-298-9680 or gfclinic@phillypaws.org or make your appointment online here
For Philadelphia pet owners, spay/neuter surgery can be provided at no cost or reduced cost, thanks to limited grant funding. There are no vouchers or codes – simply let their team know that you need assistance. Please note that, to ensure they can serve as many pets as possible and offer unwanted appointments to others who are waiting, a $25 deposit is required to hold a spay/neuter appointment. However, it is refunded if proper notice is given for cancellation, and can also be refunded upon arrival for your appointment if paying it poses a hardship.
Pennsylvania SPCA
The Pennsylvania SPCA is offering spay/neuter services by appointment, 6 days per week, Monday through Saturday, at its Erie Avenue location, 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134.
Philadelphia residents may qualify for free or reduced spay/neuter fees thanks to limited grant funding.
Schedule an appointment and learn more about the PSPCA’s programs by completing the following Appointment Request form: Pennsylvania SPCA Dog Spay Neuter Form
Emancipet
Emancipet offers free spay/neuter services for owned dogs at two Philadelphia locations. Services include spay/neuter surgery, DAP vaccine, and rabies vaccine.
Appointments are required. To schedule, call 267-774-4901 and mention that you are calling for Free Spay Neuter. You can choose the location most convenient for you:
- Adams Ave Clinic: 575 Adams Ave, Unit 2
- Roosevelt Blvd Clinic: 11000 Roosevelt Blvd, inside PetSmart
These services are available for owned dogs only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most pets recover quickly after being spayed or neutered.
Your pet may be sleepy or sore for a day or two, but most are back to normal within about a week. You will usually need to:
- Keep them calm and limit running or rough play
- Make sure they do not lick the surgery area
- Don’t give them a bath for at least 10 days
- Follow any instructions from the veterinarian
Many pets are feeling better within a few days.
Spaying or neutering your pet does not stop them from being themselves.
Your dog will still play, protect your family, enjoy walks, and have the same personality they always had.
In fact, getting your dog neutered can help them live a longer, healthier life by reducing the risk of some cancers and infections.
It can also reduce behaviors like:
- running away
- fighting
- marking in the house
If your pet is healthy, most dogs and cats can safely be spayed or neutered once they are:
- at least 8 weeks old
- and over 2 pounds
If you have a regular veterinarian, it’s always a good idea to ask what is best for your specific pet.
In general, younger pets often recover faster and more easily.
Yes.
Dogs that spend time outside are actually at a higher risk of:
- getting another dog pregnant
- getting pregnant themselves
- roaming away from home
- fighting with other animals
Spaying or neutering can help outdoor dog sager and healthier.
If your dog lives outside full-time, it is also important to make sure they always have:
- shelter from heat and cold
- clean water
- food
- veterinary care
It is important that they recover from the surgery inside, you can get a crate or baby gate for cheap in order to keep them in a specific area from craigslist or Facebook marketplace!
All surgeries have some risk, but spay and neuter surgeries are very common and generally very safe.
These procedures are done every day by licensed veterinarians.
For most pets, the health benefits are much great than the risks.
If your pet has health problems or you have concerns, talk to the veterinarian before surgery.
That is your choice.
Philadelphia does not require most pet owners to spay or neuter their pets, except if you have more than 4 dogs and/or cats, then you are required to have them spayed or neutered as you can only have 4 unspayed or neutered pets.
However, it is important to know that Philadelphia currently has a temporary law in place that makes it illegal to breed dogs or sell puppies unless you have a Philadelphia kennel license.
If your pet is not spayed or neutered, you are responsible for making sure they do not accidentally breed.
Spaying or neutering is the easiest way to prevent unexpected litters and avoid legal issues. It also makes you and your pet eligible for more services! ACCT Philly’s pet pantry is one of several pet support resources offered in Philadelphia that requires pets to be spayed or neutered.