The terms spay or neuter refers to the surgical sterilization of an animal. Female animals are spayed by having their ovaries and uterus removed under general anesthesia. Male animals are neutered by having their testicles removed under general anesthesia. After either surgery, the cat or dog is unable to reproduce.
Having your dog or cat sterilized can help your pet live a longer, healthier life and also helps reduce the number of unwanted animals brought into the shelter.
Appointments for low-cost spay or neuter services are available for pet dogs and cats at Animal Services Doral and Homestead locations. Please schedule your appointment up to 14 days in advance.
Related FAQs
Low cost spay or neuter surgeries are by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance. When scheduling multiple pets for surgery, make sure to request an appointment for each pet.
Individuals with a hearing or speech disability can reach 311 by calling Florida Relay at 711. The 311 Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Center is closed on Sundays and holidays.
Dog and cat surgeries are performed 7 days per week.
Homestead Clinic: 1034 NE 8th Street, Homestead, FL 33030
Dog and Cat surgeries are performed Tuesday through Saturday, except for the second Saturday of the month.
Requirements:
Pets must arrive by 7 a.m. at the Doral clinic and 7 a.m. at the Homestead clinic on the day of the surgery
No food or water for the pet after 9 p.m. the night before surgery
Pets must be at least three months old and weigh over three pounds
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.
Eligibility:
The pet owner must be a Miami-Dade County resident
Up to 4 pets per address (separate appointments required)
Proof of current rabies vaccination for pets over four months must be presented at check-in
Rabies vaccine can be administered to the pet on the day of surgery for a fee of $15
Microchip implants can be obtained on the day of surgery
Protective cones are available for purchase at Doral and Homestead location
The clinic's veterinarian may decline surgery due to health reasons
The cost is $40 per dog and $20 per cat. Payment is due the morning when you drop-off your dog or cat.
You can pay:
Cash
Credit card (MasterCard and Visa only. American Express is NOT accepted.)
Checks (from a local financial institution only) along with a driver license or other federal/state issued picture I.D.
ATM check card with the Visa or MasterCard logo.
Miami Veterinary Foundation and Miami Dade Animal Services have partnered to create greater access to spay/ neuter services for the low income community, community cats and MDAS approved rescue partners.
Qualified low income pet owners are provided spay and neuter services for their pets with a minimal co-payment for the services.
Proof of low income status must be provided to the participating veterinarian. Click here for a list
Low income owners are categorized as those who can prove they receive benefits from one of the following:
- Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needed Families (TANF)
- Jackson Memorial Hospital Clinic Care
Miami-Dade County Animal Services funds the following organizations in order to subsidize the cost of sterilization surgeries:
Miami Veterinary Foundation Spay or Neuter Program (MVF) Qualified low income pet owners are provided spay and neuter services for their pets with a minimal co-payment for the services.
Proof of low income status must be provided to the participating veterinarian
Dogs and cats are spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies at a deeply discounted rate
Services are offered at participating, licensed Miami-Dade County veterinarians and veterinary clinics
Free Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return by MVF As part of the MVF spay or neuter program, community cats - un-owned cats, whose 'home' is within the community rather than in an individual household - are spayed or neutered for free-for-all residents. TNVR offers free vaccinations and ear tip in addition to sterilization.
On the day of your pet's spay or neuter appointment:
For the Doral location drop time for all pets is 7:00 a.m.
For the Homestead location drop off time for all pets off is 7:00 a.m.
Pick up time will be provided at the time of drop off.
Cats must be in a crate, dogs must be on a leash
The check-in process can take from 30-60 minutes so please plan accordingly on the day of the surgery appointment
Protective cones are available for sale at ASD Doral and Homestead for $5.00 each.
If your dog experiences any post-operative complications within 48 - 72 hours, return to the Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or take the dog to a private veterinarian. If complications develop outside of the clinic operating hours, seek emergency veterinary care.
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
In accordance to R-512-16, military veterans who produce a DD-214 will be able to have their dog spayed or neutered at no charge.
To qualify:
Veteran must reside in Miami-Dade County and present a DD-214 at time of adoption or spay/neuter appointment. A military ID card is not enough and will not be honored
Veteran must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (i.e., the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve)
Veteran was not punitively discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, in the case of enlisted personnel, or dismissed, in the case of commissioned officers
Veteran has no unresolved fines or violations with the Animal Services Department
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