Spaying/neutering of all pets is encouraged at an early age for the better health of the pet. Animal Care Services (ACS) partners with the clinics listed below for free and low cost spay/neuter.
We also urge all pet owners to establish a relationship with a veterinarian to protect the health of your pet. View an inclusive list of area vets on the Yellow Pages.
Eligibility
NOTE: The following zip codes are eligible for free spay/neuter services. If you live outside city limits or in a zip code that is not listed, you can still contact the clinics below for low-cost services.
- Eligible Zip Codes
-
You must be a resident of the City of San Antonio, living in one of the following zip codes:
- 78201
- 78202
- 78203
- 78204
- 78207
- 78208
- 78210
- 78211
- 78213
- 78214
- 78218
- 78219
- 78220
- 78221
- 78222
- 78223
- 78224
- 78225
- 78226
- 78227
- 78228
- 78229
- 78235
- 78237
- 78238
- 78242
- Proof of Residency
-
Most clinics in the city will need you to show them an ID or a bill with your address. Before you take your pet to the clinic, check with them about what you need to prove where you live.
- Animal Age, Weight and Health
-
Each clinic has its own rules and requirements. Usually, dogs and cats need to be at least two months old and weigh at least two pounds. The clinics will also check if your pet is healthy enough for the surgery. If you have questions, always ask the clinic's vet for help.
Cost
If you live in an eligible zip code, it is free to have your animal spayed/neutered. You will not need a special voucher to receive this service. If you live in a different area, ask your chosen clinic about appointments and fees.
The ACS-sponsored spay/neuter program is for pet sterilization only. Clinics may add extra fees for pets who need extra medical care or a rabies shot. Before you take your pet to the appointment, ask the clinic about any extra charges.
Make an Appointment
The listed clinics below are ACS partners for free and low-cost spay/neuter. Check with your clinic to see how many pets you can take.
NOTE: You must make an appointment and each clinic has its own appointment process.
Please check with our partners clinics for extra appointment times and waiting lists. Some clinics open extra slots at the beginning of each month, so be sure to check back.
Our partner clinics also offer various low-cost services including vaccinations, preventatives, and microchipping. Be sure to ask when scheduling your appointment.
Find a Clinic
About the Program
According to State law, ACS cannot provide spay/neuter surgeries for people's pets. ACS works with organizations to provide free spaying/neutering for those who qualify.
ACS decides which zip codes are eligible by looking at things like the number of calls for help and using a tool called the City's Equity Atlas. This tool uses data from the U.S. Census to find areas where people might need more help.
If your zip code is not on the list, you can still get low-cost options from ACS's veterinary clinic partners. You can also go to a private provider.
ACS's programs, like the free spay/neuter service, get reviewed once a year. They look at the City's budget and how much help different areas need.
If the budget gets approved by the City, the money for these programs starts in October and goes until the end of September the next year. ACS suggests scheduling services as soon as you can.
Other Options
If you are not eligible for free services, you can go to the Spay-Neuter Network clinic at Brackenridge. They offer low-cost sterilizations to the community. Other clinics in the community may also offer low-cost options.
Please note that ACS has a different program for community cats in San Antonio. It helps to spay/neuter outdoor or feral cats. During surgery, they will remove a small part of the cat's left ear, called "ear-tipping." It is a safe way to show that the cat is feral and sterile. If you are caring for a community cat, you can schedule an appointment for this service.
Top Ten Reasons to Fix Your Pet
- Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Fixing your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
- Neutering provides major health benefits for your male pet.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
- Your fixed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently — sometimes all over the house!
- Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.
An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males. Remember! If your dog roams off your property you can be cited!
- Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
- Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
Don't use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds — not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
- It is highly cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. You may even qualify for FREE or affordable services! It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered dog or cat escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
- Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.
Roaming animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
- Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children — especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.
- Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.
Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer on the streets. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.