Spay/Neuter Program

 

What is the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program?
The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program intends to provide pet owners with low incomes an opportunity to have their animals spayed or neutered at a reduced cost. This is not a general community clinic; it will provide only spay and neuter services to pet owners who can demonstrate financial need. Subsidy will be granted to those who meet the low income criteria, with amounts depending on personal circumstances. The high cost of spay/neuter services in the community is cost-prohibitive for some households. We hope to prevent the overpopulation of dogs and cats, and encourage responsible pet ownership, by removing a financial barrier.
How do I know if I’m eligible for the HBSPCA Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program?
People who wish to use the services of the HBSPCA Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program must complete an application form (found below) outlining their family financial situation. Each application is assessed on an individual basis to determine whether or not the applicant is eligible to participate in the program.
Please carefully read all the information outlined below to determine if your companion animal is eligible for participation in the program, and if you are able to meet all the terms and conditions required by the HBSPCA in regards to the program.
 
Is my companion animal eligible for the HBSPCA Spay/Neuter Assistance Program?
Your pet MUST:

Your pet MUST NOT:

  • Be coughing or sneezing
  • Have any medical conditions or history of complications/medical conditions (please indicate on application form. Veterinary technicians will review medical conditions to determine if surgery is possible)
  • If your animal is a female dog, she must not be pregnant or in heat. We will not accept dogs that are in heat due to increase risk of blood loss. We recommend that clients wait for one month after their pets last heat for surgery
  • We will accept female cats in heat, although the risk for increased blood loss is still high. The reason for this is that cats go into heat much more often than dogs. Lactating females can be done, but kittens must be weaned for 2 weeks before the time of surgery. Kittens must be kept away from the female for 7-10 days after surgery as they can open the incision.
  • Pregnant pets can be spayed, but the pregnancy will be terminated at the time of surgery.
If your pet does not meet the above guidelines on the day of surgery, you will be called to pick-up your animal without a refund of the pre-paid fee.
 
Before you apply:
Please note that the terms and conditions of the application process are non-negotiable. Failure to comply with any terms will result in termination of your ability to use the HBSPCA Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program.

Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program                         
 Applicant Information (Terms and Conditions)

Please read this form carefully before submitting your application.
1.       Grant Applications must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
 
2.       The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA will keep all applications confidential, and will not share information with any other party.
 
3.       The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA reserves the right to request proof of family income and expenses before approving any application. Failure to provide this information when requested will terminate the application process.
 
4.       If your application is approved, the subsidy rate you are given is non-negotiable. All assessments are done on an individual basis, and any subsidy granted by the HBSPCA is to remain confidential.

 
5.       If your application is declined, you will be notified by phone or email. If your application is declined you may apply again at a later date if your financial circumstances change.
 
If your application is approved:
1.       All payments are to be made in advance. Payment is due by noon on the Friday before your scheduled surgery date. Failure to make payment by the deadline will result in the cancellation of surgery. Payment will not be accepted on the day of the surgery.
 
2.       Payment can be made over the phone via credit card, or in person at the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (245 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, Ontario) Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm. 
 
3.       Acceptable forms of payment are cash, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express, debit or money order. Cheques will not be accepted.
 
4.       Any cancellations must be made no later than 8:00am on the Monday before the scheduled surgery. Cancellations must be made directly to the Program Administrator by telephone only. Cancellations will not be accepted otherwise. You may reschedule only once. Fees are non-refundable.
 
5.       In the case of inclement weather and the subsequent closing of the shelter, you will be contacted and notified via phone of the cancellation of surgeries. Your surgery wil be re-scheduled for a later date. If you are unsure if surgeries have been cancelled, please phone the shelter or the alternate phone number given to you at the time of booking for confirmation.
 
6.       You must arrive at the HBSPCA with your companion animal on time. Important information will be shared with you about the procedure. If you arrive late, your animal will not be admitted and your fee will not be refunded.
 
7.       If your companion animal is deemed unfit for surgery by the veterinary staff at the HBSPCA (but not in breach of any of the conditions laid out in the eligible animal section), you will be notified to pick up your animal and your pre-paid fee will be returned to you by cheque within two weeks.
 
If any of the above information is unclear to you, please contact Catherine Hayward, Program Administrator before completing and submitting your application at 905-574-7722 ext. 302 or at chayward@hbspca.com.
 
Please return completed applications to Catherine Hayward, 245 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, ON L8W 3V9, or to chayward@hbspca.com 
 
Preparing for Surgery
Day Before Scheduled Surgery
Your pet is to have NO FOOD after 6:00pm the evening before surgery. Please remove all animal food, human food and treats from the reach of your animal. Water is allowed.
Please keep your pet in sight before the surgery so they don’t get into anything in the yard/outside (ie leash walks only). Animals must be kept indoors the night before surgery.
Animals that vomit any type of food after their pre-med injections will be sent home without refund.

Day of Scheduled Surgery
Before Surgery:
You must arrive at the shelter at 8:00am, and enter through the back door of the shelter (when facing the building, please go around the left side of the building to enter through the clinic/reception doors).
Please leave your pet in the car while you come in to complete the required paperwork. This will take about 5-10 minutes.
Cats must arrive in their own individual carriers. Dogs must be on a leash.

After surgery:
Your pet must be picked up at exactly 3:30 pm on the day of surgery, no exceptions.