Protect & Connect

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Protect & Connect 🐾

The Laura Paul Memorial
Reduced Cost Spay/Neuter Program

Every year, millions of healthy dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens in the United States are euthanized simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around. You can do your part to prevent unwanted litters and be a responsible pet owner by spaying and neutering your pets. The Ontario County Humane Society reduced cost Spay/Neuter Program is available to Ontario County residents who, due to financial limitation, are unable to have their pets spayed or neutered.

This program is available through the generosity of area veterinarians who recognize the need to limit the abundance of unwanted pets and unplanned litters. Participating veterinarians donate 1/3 of the cost of the surgery. The remaining balance of the surgery is a shared cost between the pet owner and the Ontario County Humane Society. The program covers only spay and neuter costs. Exams, vaccinations, and/ or other medical fees are not included in this program and are the responsibility of the pet owner .

If you or somebody you know has low or limited income, contact the Ontario County Humane Society for further information at (585) 396-4590. The forms are available to download and print. Copies of the Spay/Neuter Application can also be found in our office during regular business hours.

Completed forms can be submitted:

  • By mail or in person at 2976 County Road 48 Canandaigua, New York 14424

  • Faxed to (585)-396-4805

Submit your Spay/Neuter Application Online
Reduced Cost Spay/Neuter Application (Print)

Do I Qualify?

Applicants must be residents of Ontario county, as well as meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Receive Public Assistance (SNAP, HEAP, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, Unemployment, Medicaid, etc.)

  • Fall below Income Eligibility Guidelines

  • Household Size / Annual Income
    1 / $30,000
    2 / $36,000
    3 / $42,000
    4 / $48,000
    5 / $54,000

How do I Participate?

  1. Select a Participating Veterinarian
    Participating veterinarians are listed on the front of the spay/neuter application. You may want to call several offices to get a quote so you can select the right office for you, your pets, and your budget. If you are not already established with your selected vet office, you must call that office to be sure they are accepting new clients. Failure to do so will result in delays when processing your application if your selected office is not accepting new clients.

  2. Submit a Spay/Neuter Application
    Mail, fax, drop off, or email a completed spay/neuter application. Click here for a digital copy or stop by our office during regular business hours. Be sure to provide proof of income or public assistance with your application. Failure to do so will result in delays when processing your application.

  3. Wait!
    Applications are processed weekly however, due to the large number of applicants, the Humane Society asks for at least two weeks to finish processing your application. During this time you may schedule appointments for physicals, vaccines, or other care your veterinarian deems necessary. Please do not schedule a neuter appointment until your application has been approved.

  4. Schedule your appointment
    Once your application has been processed, you will receive either a phone call or email, if an email address was provided, to notify you of your application status. The Humane Society will notify your selected vet of your approval status and provide a copy of your spay/neuter voucher. At this time, you may contact your selected vet to schedule an appointment for your spay/neuter surgery.

Spay & Neuter FAQ’s

  • Spaying and neutering your pet, sometimes referred to as “altering”, is a form of birth control for dogs and cats. The procedure ensures your animal won’t reproduce, reduces pet overpopulation, and helps your pet enjoy a longer, healthier life. The difference between spay and neuter comes down to the gender of the animal. Both terms refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal, but sometimes neuter is used for both genders. Spaying involves removing the uterus and ovaries of a female animal, and neutering removes the testicles of a male animal.

  • According to the ASPCA, animals who have been spayed or neutered are typically less aggressive and many unwanted behaviors such as fighting, roaming, spraying, and crying will go away after surgery. Some pets become even more affectionate to their owners! Additionally, spaying females prevents costly medical complications like breast cancer and uterine infections. For males, neutering reduces the chance or testicular cancer and prostate problems.

  • You should contact an animal hospital and/or your veterinarian to determine an accurate time to spay or neuter your pet . According to the ASPCA, puppies are typically spayed or neutered between six and nine months, but can be as young as eight weeks if your veterinarian decides they are healthy. Cats are usually spayed or neutered any time between eight weeks and 6 months old.

  • Yes! When an animal is in heat, they follow their natural instincts and become more likely to try escaping your home or leash in order to gain access to other animals. Spaying and neutering can also prevent costly and life threatening medical conditions that may occur in an unaltered animal.

  • The ASPCA debunks these common myths about spaying and neutering:

    MYTH: Spaying and neutering will cause my pets to gain weight.

    FACT: Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds, not spaying and neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor their food intake.

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    MYTH: Neutering will cause behavioral changes.

    FACT: Unneutered cats and dogs are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Unneutered dogs also have a tendency to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects. All of these above behaviors may change when your pet is sterilized, which is a good thing! Neutering can help avoid some aggression problems or undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone. That said, it is important to note that there are no guarantees. Neutering does not eliminate the testosterone hormone completely, nor will it negate any behaviors that your pet has learned or that have become habitual. The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your dog’s individual personality, physiology and history.

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    MYTH: Spaying and neutering is unhealthy for pets.

    FACT: Just the opposite! Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Spay/neuter will help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

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    MYTH: Neutering will make my pet feel like less of a male.

    FACT: Pets do not have any concept of ego or sexual identity, and neutering won’t change that. What might change, however, is that your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home! An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.

Other Community Resources

PLEASE NOTE: The following services are provided by organizations that are not affiliated with the Ontario County Humane Society or Happy Tails Animal Shelter. This information is subject to change and the appropriate organization should be contacted for the most up to date information. Thank you.

Feral Cat Services