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Spay/Neuter Clinic

Appointments
  • All surgeries for dogs, pet cats, and friendly outdoor cats require an appointment. 
  • Appointments are booked online (see below). 
  • Interested in fixing feral cats? Visit our Feral cat page for more info. 
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Pricing & Services

We aim to make quality spay/neuter affordable to all clients. We have implemented tiered pricing to ensure care is accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. Reduced-rate pricing is available to owners who receive food stamps (SNAP/LINK), Social Security Disability (SSD/SSI), or VA disability benefits.

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Kittens and puppies may be safely spayed or neutered at 8 weeks old and 2lbs. Cats and dogs may be spayed when in heat or pregnant. We recommend pre-operative bloodwork with your full-service veterinarian if your pet is 8 years old or older. 

 

To receive reduced-rate pricing, owners must bring proof of Food Stamps, SSD/SSI, or VA disability benefits and a matching photo ID to their pet's appointment.

 

Regular surgery fees*

  • Cats $70

  • Dogs <60 lbs $200

  • Dogs 60-99 lbs $225

  • Dogs 100+ lbs $250

  • Brachycephalic dog breeds additional $50 (includes Boston terrier, English bulldog, French bulldog, Pug, and others)

 

Reduced-rate surgery fees (must qualify)*

  • Cats $45

  • Dogs <60 lbs $100

  • Dogs 60-99 lbs $125

  • Dogs 100+ lbs $150

  • Brachycephalic dog breeds additional $50 (includes Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, and others)

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Feral Cats

  • $30 (unowned, outdoor-only cats; package includes vaccines and ear tip)

 

Vaccine Packages

  • 1-year rabies, distemper, 1-year Sangamon County rabies tag $30

  • 3-year rabies, distemper, 3-year Sangamon County rabies tag $50

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*NOTE: Additional charges apply to cryptorchid males (retained testicle(s)), females with pyometra, and pets requiring umbilical hernia repair. Additional charges may apply to giant breed dogs, severely overweight/obese dogs, geriatric patients, and pets requiring additional medications or special handling.  

 

Click HERE for a full list of services and fees.

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Payment is due at check-in. We accept cash and all major credit/debit cards. (We cannot process Care Credit.)

Drop-off & Pick-up Times

Please be prompt for all appointments times. We may not be able to accommodate late arrivals. Late pick-ups will be assessed a $25 boarding fee. 

 

Drop-off times

  • Monday-Friday 8:00-8:30am.

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Pick-up times

  • Monday-Thursday appointments: 7:30am the morning following surgery

  • Friday appointments: 4:00pm the same day of surgery 


Why do we keep pets overnight Monday-Thursday but not Friday? Your pet requires several hours of recovery time before going home. Because we perform a full day of surgery Monday-Thursday, we keep pets overnight so that they're fully recovered upon release. Fridays we perform a half-day of surgery so that all pets have several hours of recovery before release. Maximizing our time in surgery Monday-Thursday allows us to keep prices low. 

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Certain medical conditions may affect your pet's fitness for surgery. Please call or email us if your pet has any of the following conditions: 

  • retained testicle (cryptorchid)

  • heart murmur

  • previous abdominal surgery

  • history of seizures

  • is currently nursing a litter

  • significantly overweight

  • brachycephalic dog breeds including but not limited to Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs

  • is taking any medications, especially steroids or pain medications

  • any other pre-existing medical conditions

 

APL reserves the right to refuse surgery to an animal if a health risk is determined. We will not accept animals exhibiting signs of upper respiratory infection, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

 

​Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call (217-789-7729) or email (aplclinic@apl-shelter.org) us at least one business day in advance. If you do not show up for your appointment you will be required to pre-pay for any future appointments.  

Pre-operative Instructions

Dogs

  • Dogs 4 months of age and older: No food after midnight. Water is allowed. 

  • Puppies under 4 months old: Do not withhold food or water. Feed a small meal the morning of surgery.

  • Please leave your dog in the car when you arrive and check-in at the clinic lobby. Clinic staff will direct you when to bring your dog indoors. 

  • Please bring all dogs on a leash. 

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Cats

  • Cats 4 months and older: Do not withhold food; feed like normal. Water is allowed.

  • Kittens under 4 months of age: Do not withhold food or water. Feed a small meal the morning of surgery.

  • Please bring all cats in a carrier. If you do not have cat carrier, you may purchase a cardboard carrier for $5. 

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Vaccines

Our veterinarians strongly recommend that your pet's vaccines (rabies, distemper, and bordetella) are up-to-date when coming for surgery. Rabies vaccines are required for all pets and are available for $10 at the time of surgery. If your pet's rabies vaccine is up-to-date, please bring proof of that vaccine to your appointment. APL cannot be held responsible for contagious diseases for which your pet was not previously properly vaccinated. 

Post-operative Instructions

For a full list of post-operative instructions click here.

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APL will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-operative complications resulting directly from the surgery if post-operative instructions have been followed in full. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern: 217-789-7729.

Feral Cat Spay/Neuter

Reduced-cost surgeries are available for outdoor-only unowned cats through our feral cat program. If you are feeding feral cats and would like to get them fixed, we're happy to loan you a live trap to do so! Please call our office at 217-789-7729 to borrow a live trap. All feral cats must stay with us overnight.

 

Please visit our Feral cat page for more information on our trap/neuter/return program.

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