Spaying/neutering of all pets is encouraged at an early age for the better health of the pet. Animal Care Services (ACS) partners with clinics for both free and low-cost spay/neuter services for San Antonio residents. Pet owners are also encouraged to establish a relationship with a veterinarian to protect the health of their pet.
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
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You must be a resident of the City of San Antonio, living in one of the following zip codes:
- 78201
- 78202
- 78203
- 78204
- 78205
- 78207
- 78208
- 78210
- 78211
- 78213
- 78214
- 78218
- 78219
- 78220
- 78221
- 78222
- 78223
- 78224
- 78225
- 78226
- 78227
- 78228
- 78229
- 78235
- 78237
- 78238
- 78242
- 78264
Not sure if your address is in the city of San Antonio, Unincorporated Bexar County or another municipality? View the Bexar County Community Dashboard to find out what jurisdiction you are in. This free application will allow you to identify your local, county, state and federal jurisdiction and representation as well as other useful information.
- Proof of Residency
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You will need to provide a picture ID with your current address or a bill with your address to receive services. Before taking your pet to the clinic, check with them about what you need to prove residency.
- Animal Age, Weight & Health
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Each clinic has its own rules and requirements, and you should ask what services can be provided for your pet. Usually, dogs and cats need to be at least two months old and weigh at least two pounds. Clinics will also check if your pet is healthy enough for surgery. If you have questions, always ask the clinic's veterinarian for help.
Cost
When making an appointment, be sure to ask what services can be provided for your pet. If you live in an eligible zip code, it is free to have your animal spayed/neutered and you will not need a special voucher to receive this service. If you live in a different area of San Antonio or are outside the city limits, you can still ask participating clinics about appointments and fees.
The ACS-sponsored spay/neuter program is for pet sterilization only. Clinics may add extra fees for pets who need additional medical care or a rabies vaccination.
Make an Appointment
Participating clinics are ACS partners for free and low-cost spay/neuter services for city of San Antonio residents. Check with your clinic to see how many pets you can take.
NOTE: Appointments are required, and each clinic has its own appointment process. Walk-ins cannot be accepted.
Please check with partner clinics for additional appointment times and waiting lists. Some clinics open extra appointment slots at the beginning of each month, so be sure to check back.
Partner clinics may also offer various low-cost services including vaccinations, preventatives and microchipping. Be sure to ask when scheduling your appointment.
Find a Clinic
ACS Clinics
ACS Clinics offer free spay/neuter services exclusively for City of San Antonio residents.
Book an Appointment
Partner Clinics
About the Program
ACS works with a number of organizations to provide free spaying/neutering for those who qualify. Eligible zip codes are determined by factors such as the number of calls for service and data from the City's Equity Atlas, which uses U.S. Census information to identify areas where residents may need additional support. If your zip code is not on the list, low-cost options may still be available through ACS veterinary clinic partners or private providers.
ACS programs, including the free spay/neuter service, are reviewed annually based on the City's budget and community needs. If approved by the City, funding for these programs begins in October and continues through the end of September of the following year. ACS recommends scheduling services as early as possible.
Other Options & Community Cats
If you are not eligible for free services, you may still seek low-cost sterilization services through community clinics, including the Spay-Neuter Network clinic at Brackenridge.
ACS also supports a separate spay/neuter program for community cats in San Antonio, sometimes referred to as outdoor or feral cats. During surgery and under anesthesia, a small portion of the cat’s left ear is removed. This process, known as ear-tipping, is a safe and easy way to identify that the cat has been sterilized. If you are caring for a community cat, you can 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.