Spay or Neuter Surgery for Dogs & Cats

• Surgeries for cats are offered every Thursday and Friday (excluding County holidays).
• If anyone other the owner is taking or picking up the cat for the surgery, they will be required to complete a form using the pet owner's name.
• Animal Services will continue to accommodate a limited number of walk-in spay/neuter surgeries on Thursdays and Fridays for cats only, in case those with an appointment do not come in.
• Maximum of four cats allowed per household.

Note: All cats must be presented for surgery in individual carriers. Putting multiple pets in one carrier does not allow for a safe post-operative environment and will not be accepted for services. Disposable carriers are available for purchase at the time of drop off.

• Drop off pets at 7 a.m. in Doral and 8 a.m. in Homestead.
• Pet owners should arrive with their pet in a crate or on a leash.
• The check-in process can take from 30-60 minutes so please plan accordingly on the day of the surgery appointment.
• After 8:30 a.m, all surgeries with appointments lose their priority status and become walk-ins subject to availability.

• It is up to the owner to provide an Elizabethan Collar or cone placed around the animal's neck if they want to outfit the animal with a collar after surgery. The Elizabethan Collar is not provided by ASD for wearing for protection after surgery but it can be purchased at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center.
• Pets must be picked up after the surgery. The Pet Adoption and Protection Center is not a boarding facility.

Sundays are available on a first-come, first-served basis for dogs only. It is recommended that owners arrive early as availability is limited.

Numbers are handed out between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. It is recommended to arrive early as surgeries take place on a first-come, first-served basis.

Surgeries are not performed on the third Sunday of the month.

In accordance to R-512-16, veterans who produce a DD-214 will be able to have their dog spayed or neutered at no charge.

• The pet owner must be a Miami-Dade County resident
• Spay & neuter surgeries are by appointment only
• Pet must be checked-in by 7:30 a.m. at the Doral clinic and 8 a.m. at the Homestead clinic the day of the animal's scheduled surgery
• No food or water after 9 p.m. the night before surgery
• Pets must be at least three months old and weigh over three pounds
• Veterinarian may decline surgery due to health reasons
• Proof of current rabies vaccination for pets over four months of age must be presented at check-in
• Rabies vaccine can be obtained the day of surgery
• Microchip implants can be obtained on the day of surgery

Note: All cats must be presented for surgery in individual carriers. Multiple pets per carrier do not allow for a safe post-operative environment and will not be accepted for services. Disposable carriers are available for purchase at the time of drop off.

Spaying and neutering is one of the most responsible ways dog and cat owners can care for their pet.

Female animals are spayed, which means their ovaries and uterus are surgically removed and they are unable to go into heat or get pregnant.

Male animals are neutered, which means their testicles are surgically removed. After surgery, the male cat or dog will be unable to impregnate females.

Here are some tips to care for your pet after surgery:

• There are no skin sutures to be removed, but your pet has been tattooed. This is to identify him/her as sterilized.
• Check the incision twice daily and watch for any discharge, foul odor or significant swelling.
• Contact a veterinarian immediately if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, weakness or continued bleeding.
• Don't allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision, as it will delay healing.
• It may be necessary for you to purchase an Elizabethan collar at your local pet supply store to prevent your pet from injuring himself or herself.
• Your pet was given anesthesia for surgery, which sometimes makes pets feel nauseous. Offer your pet a small amount of food and water but if they do not want to eat, do not force them.
• Your pet was also given an injection of a pain reliever (Rimadyl®) that lasts 24 hours. Do not give your pet any other medications, especially human medications which are deadly to pets.
• Although spay or neuter is a common surgery, it is still a major surgery. Therefore, it is very important to limit their activity to allow them to recover.
• Do not allow them to run, jump or engage in rough play for a full week after surgery.
• A pet normally kept outdoors should be kept indoors for at least 24 hours as they recover from the anesthesia.
• For cats, please use shredded newspaper instead of litter to help keep the incision clean.
• You may bathe your pet after seven days, but do not submerge them in water and do not scrub the incision.