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Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for the Community
Spay & Neuter
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important parts of responsible pet ownership. Sterilized pets live longer, healthier lives, and they help solve the pet overpopulation crisis that fills shelters across our community.
HSCC is proud to offer low-cost spay/neuter to the public through two on-site clinics: the Foothills Spay/Neuter Clinic at our Hickory shelter, and Foothills Animal Health Center in Claremont. These services are available to everyone, regardless of county of residency.
Schedule a Surgery
Most spay/neuter appointments can be scheduled online. Feral cat package appointments must be scheduled by phone — see our Community Cats page.
- Hickory (Foothills Spay/Neuter Clinic)
Book a Hickory appointment - Claremont (Foothills Animal Health Center)
Book a Claremont appointment - Feral cats
Feral cat package appointments must be scheduled by calling (828) 464-8878.
Appointment Policy
We require 24 hours' notice to reschedule. If you miss your appointment without notice, we will reschedule your surgery once; after that, your fee is non-refundable. A $25 fee applies to reschedule or cancel an appointment. In the case of inclement weather, our staff will reschedule at no additional fee. Please note that due to volume, we do not make reminder calls.
The Day of Surgery
- Check-in
Arrive at your scheduled location by 7:30 a.m. for check-in. Dogs must be on a leash; cats must be in an individual carrier labeled with the cat's name and your last name. Line carriers with newspaper only — no toys or blankets. - Pickup
Pickup is at 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated the morning of surgery. Payment for any additional procedures or medications is due at pickup.
Before Surgery
- No food after 10 p.m. the night before. Water is permitted.
- No flea/tick products for 5 days before or after surgery.
- Watch for illness. The veterinarian will not operate on a pet showing signs of illness (sneezing, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing). Tell us about any known conditions such as pregnancy, retained testicles, or allergies.
After Surgery
- Keep your pet inside, clean, dry, and warm. No baths for 10 days.
- No strenuous activity (running, jumping, rough play) for 7–10 days — leash walks only.
- Your pet goes home with an e-collar that should stay on for 7–10 days. Do not allow licking or chewing of the surgical site or the green tattoo that marks your pet as altered.
- The night of surgery, feed a quarter of the regular diet, then resume normal feeding the next morning. Start pain medication as directed even if your pet does not eat.
- If you have surgery-related concerns during business hours, call (828) 464-2349 or (828) 464-8878. After hours, contact your regular veterinarian or the Emergency After Hours Clinic at (828) 328-2660.
Spay/Neuter Pricing
All surgeries include post-operative pain medication, a nail trim, and an e-collar.
Dog Spay (Female)
| Weight | Price |
|---|---|
| 3–25 lbs | $130 |
| 26–45 lbs | $145 |
| 46–75 lbs | $160 |
| 76–100 lbs | $200 |
| 101–125 lbs | $220 |
| 126–150 lbs | $250 |
| Pregnancy | $30–50 |
| In heat | $20 |
| Hernia | $20 |
Dog Neuter (Male)
| Weight | Price |
|---|---|
| 3–25 lbs | $130 |
| 26–45 lbs | $145 |
| 46–75 lbs | $160 |
| 76–100 lbs | $185 |
| 101–125 lbs | $200 |
| 126–150 lbs | $250 |
| Hernia repair | $20 |
| Cryptorchid | $20–50 |
Cat Spay / Neuter
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Cat Spay (Female) | $90 |
| Cat Neuter (Male) | $45 |
| Pregnancy | +$10–30 |
| Cryptorchid | $20–50 |
| Hernia repair | $20 |
Rabbit Spay / Neuter (includes nail trim and post-op pain medication; bring in a carrier with Timothy hay or pellets)
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Rabbit Spay (Female) | $200 |
| Rabbit Neuter (Male) | $100 |
Add-On Vaccines & Services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Rabies (1 year) | $10 |
| Rabies (3 year)* | $15 |
| Leptospirosis | $15 |
| Distemper/Parvo (DAPPV) | $15 |
| Bordetella / Kennel Cough | $15 |
| Feline Leukemia | $15 |
| Feline Distemper (FVRCP) | $15 |
| Microchip | $25 |
| Heartworm Test | $25 |
| FeLV/FIV Test | $30 |
| Dewormer (weight dependent) | $5–10 |
| Blood Work (pets 6+ years) | $100 |
*A 3-year rabies requires proof of a current one- or three-year vaccine. Rabies tags are not accepted as proof.
Puppy & Kitten Packages (2–6 months) — include vaccines, rabies, spay/neuter surgery, microchip, dewormers, post-op pain medication, nail trim, and an e-collar.
| Package | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Package | $165 | $185 |
| Kitten Package | $135 | $160 |
Please Note
- Your pet must be at least 3 lbs and 3 months old for surgery.
- All dogs and cats 3+ months must have a rabies vaccination. Only a rabies certificate or veterinary medical record is accepted as proof — a tag is not. Without proof, a one-year rabies vaccine will be given the day of surgery for $10.
- All pets 6+ years require blood work prior to surgery, which can be done on-site the day of surgery for $100.
- Animals that are pregnant at the time of surgery will be spayed and the pregnancy terminated.
Online Pharmacy
Refill medications and preventatives through our online pharmacy at Vetsource.