Free High-Quality Spay and Neuter Clinic Coming to Austin and Travis County: What Pet Owners Need to Know
For many Austin-area families, pets are more than companions — they are part of the household. And in a fast-growing city like Austin, responsible pet ownership plays a direct role in neighborhood safety, shelter capacity, and community wellbeing.
From Thursday, February 26 through Monday, March 2, 2026, Austin Animal Services and Greater Good Charities are partnering to offer FREE high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries for eligible pets belonging to City of Austin and Travis County residents.
The clinic will operate daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at 11580 Stonehollow Dr, Suite 160, Austin, TX 78758.
Registration and drop-off begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue until 10:00 a.m. or until daily capacity is reached. All patients are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why Spay and Neuter Matters in Austin
Austin Animal Services operates as the municipal shelter for Travis County and consistently works to manage intake numbers in one of Texas’ fastest-growing regions.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. shelters every year, including 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. While national euthanasia rates have declined over time, shelter overcrowding remains a major challenge — especially in high-growth metropolitan areas.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the ASPCA both affirm that spaying and neutering are among the most effective tools to:
- Reduce unplanned litters
- Decrease pet overpopulation
- Lower the number of animals entering shelters
- Improve long-term pet health outcomes
Spaying female pets eliminates the risk of uterine infections and significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer, while neutering male pets prevents testicular cancer and can reduce roaming behaviors that lead to injury or lost pets, according to the AVMA.
In a city like Austin — where outdoor cats, free-roaming pets, and rapid population growth intersect — access to high-volume sterilization clinics is considered a cornerstone of community animal welfare.
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Who Is Eligible?
Because Austin Animal Services is the municipal shelter for the region, services are available only to residents of the City of Austin or Travis County.
Participants must:
- Bring a photo ID with current address
- Provide proof of Travis County residency (mail with name and address if ID is outdated)
- Ensure pets are at least 2 months old and 2 pounds
- Ensure pets are 10 years old or younger
- Confirm pets are in overall good health
There are no breed or size restrictions within these guidelines.
There is also no limit on the number of animals per vehicle, though registration will close once daily capacity is reached.
What to Expect on Clinic Day
The process is designed to be streamlined and car-based for efficiency.
Pet owners will remain in their vehicles throughout registration, drop-off, and pick-up. Staff members will come to each vehicle to assist with paperwork and guide the process.
Wait times may be two hours or more, and organizers encourage residents to plan accordingly. Pick-up will occur the same day, and some pets may be ready as late as 8:00 p.m. or later. Owners will receive a call or text when their pet is ready.
Because of the high volume of surgeries, exact pick-up times cannot be provided in advance.
A veterinarian will conduct a brief physical exam before surgery, and pet owners must disclose any medical conditions or medications at check-in.
Vaccines and Microchips Included
While this is not a standalone vaccine or microchip clinic, all pets receiving surgery will also receive required vaccinations and a microchip at no cost.
Vaccines and microchips are not optional and are included as part of the free service unless proof of current vaccination is provided. A rabies tag alone is not sufficient proof.
If a pet does not already have a microchip, one will be implanted during surgery — an important safeguard in a metro area where lost pets are common.
According to the ASPCA, microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners, and microchipped cats are more than 20 times as likely to be reunited.
Guidance for Cats, Including Free-Roaming and Feral Cats
Free-roaming and feral cats are welcome and must:
- Be in a covered humane trap
- Be scanned for a microchip prior to surgery
- Receive an ear tip while under anesthesia
Ear tipping — the surgical removal of the tip of the left ear — is a nationally recognized method of identifying sterilized community cats. It helps prevent repeated trapping and unnecessary procedures.
Owned outdoor cats are also recommended to receive ear tipping so others can identify them as sterilized when roaming.
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Special Circumstances
Animals in heat (estrus) can safely undergo surgery at the clinic.
Pregnant pets may also be treated. If a nursing pet has recently given birth, owners must notify staff at check-in. If kittens or puppies are under three weeks old and cannot be bottle-fed at home, they may be brought in the same carrier as the mother.
Organizers note that the clinic environment may not be ideal for reactive or easily triggered dogs due to the high-volume setting.
A Community-Level Impact
In Austin and across Travis County, free spay and neuter programs do more than help individual families — they shape the long-term health of the local animal population.
High-quality, high-volume clinics like this one are considered best practice in animal welfare strategy. Research cited by the ASPCA shows that communities that prioritize accessible sterilization services see measurable declines in shelter intake over time.
For neighborhoods across North Austin, Central Austin, South Austin, and the broader Travis County region, participation helps:
- Reduce stray populations
- Decrease pressure on municipal shelter resources
- Improve public safety
- Support Austin’s no-kill efforts
For pet owners who may have delayed surgery due to cost concerns, this clinic removes a significant financial barrier while maintaining veterinary standards.
What Happens Next?
Residents planning to participate should arrive early, bring proper documentation, secure pets appropriately, and prepare for extended wait times.
Registration will close once daily capacity is reached.
For many Austin families, this five-day clinic may represent one of the most accessible opportunities in 2026 to protect their pets’ health while contributing to a more sustainable animal welfare system across Travis County.
As Austin continues to grow, programs like this reflect how local partnerships — between Austin Animal Services and Greater Good Charities — work quietly but meaningfully to support both pets and the people who love them.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on local events, public services, and resources impacting Austin-area residents.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.