Learn what spay/neuter costs, why prices differ, and where to find affordable programs nationwide.
After you’ve adopted a dog or cat, there’s an important step to consider as part of responsible care: spaying your female pet or neutering your male pet.
Each year in the U.S., 5.8 million animals enter shelters, and 607,000 are euthanized due to age, illness, behavioral issues, or a lack of homes. Spaying and neutering play a major role in reducing these numbers and can protect your dog or cat from certain cancers and infections.
With rising vet costs, spaying or neutering your pet can cost widely. While some surgeries cost hundreds, you can find low-cost or even free options if you know where to look.
Spaying and neutering surgery is part of the veterinary care cost of owning a pet.
Spaying a dog or cat involves removing the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus in females. In addition to preventing pregnancy and eliminating the heat cycle, spaying your pet also reduces the risk of uterine infections and certain cancers.
Neutering involves the removal of testicles in male pets. This prevents reproduction and reduces testosterone-driven behaviors such as spraying, roaming, and fighting. Neutering also reduces your male dog’s risk of getting testicular cancer and prevents prostate enlargement.
⚠️Many rental properties, cities, and even airlines require pets to be spayed or neutered, or have proof of a certificate of veterinary inspection, also called a health certificate. Always verify documentation requirements before signing a lease or moving abroad.
The average cost to neuter or spay your cat or dog varies widely. State voucher programs can range from $0-$100 and go up from there. Nonprofits or low-cost cliniics may charge $20-$125 while the Humane Society or SPCA may range anywhere from $0-$250. Private hospitals can charge up to $700 in some cases.
Note: Always check with the clinic whether the quoted amount includes all services (anesthesia, pain medication, monitoring, follow-up, etc.). Some “base” rates exclude add-ons.
While all types of clinics provide safe spaying/neutering, there are meaningful distinctions:
Here are the factors that influence what you’ll pay:
Your pet’s breed and size strongly affect cost. Smaller dogs or kittens cost less than larger ones, since larger animals usually require more anesthesia and recovery time.
Older pets often need additional pre-surgery tests, such as bloodwork or heart checks, which can make the procedure more expensive. Veterinarians may recommend these for younger animals, but additional costs rise with age.
If your pet has health issues such as an undescended testicle or is pregnant or in heat, the surgery becomes more complex and more costly.
"Lower cost clinics are high volume, meaning they typically perform between 20-30 surgeries per day. In private clinics there may be between 2-6 surgeries per day, meaning more time is available to pay special attention to health conditions."
-Dr. Jennifer Schott
Urban areas offer many more options for vet services, giving pet owners greater control over their pet’s care. In rural areas, however, there are far fewer resources, and they tend to be spread over much greater distances.
Increasingly, organizations are trying to fill that gap by offering mobile services to rural populations. Good Shepherd Humane Society in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, works with BISSELL Pet Foundation to provide spay/neuter and vaccines for $35 per pet. They offer their services to surrounding rural communities via their mobile unit, “Fido Fixers.”
“This seems to be a sweet spot where most people can access the care while still maintaining a sense of responsibility and ownership. People want to provide for their pets, and enabling them to do so is one of the most powerful things we can do."
-Cole Wakefield, executive director of Good Shepherd
In most cases, standard pet insurance policies do not cover spaying/neutering because these procedures are considered elective/preventive. However, some insurers offer optional wellness plans that may cover spay and neuter surgery up to a certain limit.
If you have pet insurance or are considering it, ask specifically whether spaying/neutering is included, whether there is a waiting period, and what the reimbursement cap is.
Good news: help is out there. Across the country, a wide network of organizations offers financial assistance, discounted services, and even free clinics to make spay/neuter accessible to everyone. From national programs that fund local efforts to community-based initiatives coordinated by animal shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups, there are many ways for pet owners to find affordable options.
Many government programs offer vouchers at partner providers. While these are sometimes restricted to residents of certain zip codes or available only for certain breeds like American Pit Bull Terriers, or for community cats that are trapped, neutered, and returned (TNR) to their outdoor homes, they provide good opportunities to receive care without a high price tag.
Some examples:
Whether you pay $50 or $500, spaying or neutering your pet is one of the wisest investments you can make for your pet’s health and for the broader community. Check local assistance programs, get detailed estimates, ask about health or relocation requirements, and schedule the surgery. Your pet, your wallet, and your local shelter will thank you.
Yes, many low-cost clinics provide safe, professional surgeries. Make sure you ask about what monitoring and post-op care are included.
Beyond preventing unwanted litters, spaying and neutering offer behavioral benefits, improved pet health (less risk of certain cancers or infections), and major community benefits by reducing shelter intake.
Yes. If you meet income eligibility or live in certain zip codes with voucher programs, you may qualify for free or very low-cost spay/neuter. For example, in New Jersey, residents on assistance may pay only $10 for the surgery.
