Free Spay/Neuter

Spay/neuter is our specialty, but we do require an appointment. We offer free surgeries to pets from Española, Rio Arriba County, and the surrounding Pueblos.

To schedule your pet, please pay a $20 deposit that will be refunded after surgery. Deposits from those who fail to show for their appointments will be considered donations. If you need to reschedule, please leave a message within 48 business hours of your scheduled surgery. Our clinic is open for services on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Our vaccine clinics are available by appointment only. Vaccines are free for altered pets and $20 for unaltered pets in our service area. You can schedule an appointment at the link below.

Benefits

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) helps solve the problem of too many pets in animal shelters. If that isn’t reason enough, there are lots of other benefits to spay/neuter.

  • Pets live a longer, healthier life.

    Spayed/neutered animals live an average of two to three years longer than other pets and are protected from testicular, prostate, uterine, or ovarian cancer.

  • Less likely to roam.

    A male will do just about anything to find a mate, including escaping from your yard. Once he’s free to roam, he may be hit by a car or start fighting with other males. 

  • Better behaved.

    Spayed/neutered pets have fewer problem behaviors, such as fighting, yowling and urine marking. 

  • Free vaccines and microchip.

    Each pet receives age-appropriate core vaccines and a microchip during surgery.

Spay/Neuter FAQs

  • What are the age and weight requirements for surgery?

    We perform surgery on pets as young as 2 months old and as small as 2 pounds.

  • What do I need to know before the spay/neuter surgery?

    No food after 10 pm, but water is fine. Pets under 4 months should have a normal meal the morning of surgery.

    On the day of surgery, leave your pets in the vehicle and check in at the clinic. Bring your vaccination records. Drop-off is from 8 a.m. to 9:00 am, and larger animals are generally scheduled first. All cats need to be in carriers, and dogs require secure leashes.

    After surgery, pickup times are 2-4 pm, depending on your pet’s recovery. Most dogs and cats will be sleepy and wobbly from the anesthesia. Keep your pet indoors, limit their activity, and no bathing or grooming for 14 days. Your pet should be eating/drinking normally the next day.

  • Can I get my pet’s vaccines updated during their spay/neuter?

    Yes. Please bring any medical or vaccine records when you check in the morning of surgery. Kitten and puppy core vaccinations start at 6 weeks and are boosted every 3 weeks until the pet is 4 months old. At 4 months, they can receive a rabies shot that is good for one year.

  • My pet just had a litter. When can I spay her?

    We recommend that kittens and puppies be weaned for at least two weeks before spaying mom.

  • Should we let our female have a litter before spaying her?

    No. There are no known health benefits with letting dogs or cats have a litter before spaying them.

  • Is surgery painful?

    Yes. However, we give pain medication on the day of surgery, and it lasts at least 24 hours. Depending on the pet, we may send home additional pain medication to be given at home.

  • Why does Española Humane tattoo pets?

    The line tattoo near the surgical incision is a universal way of showing that your pet has been spayed/neutered. If your pet got lost and was taken to a shelter, the line shows that your pet does not need surgery.

  • Does your clinic provide any other services?

    Yes, we also offer heartworm testing and prevention, flea and tick prevention, and microchips. While these services are low-cost, they are not free.