Harris County Pets to Offer $25 Spay/Neuter Special Package to Pet Owners in Unincorporated Harris County in FebruaryÂ
As part of Spay and Neuter Awareness Month this February, Harris County Pets (HCP), resourced by Harris County Public Health (HCPH), will offer low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs owned by residents in unincorporated Harris County (outside the City of Houston).
At a cost of only $25, unaltered pets will receive a spay or neuter surgery, rabies vaccination, microchip and other age -appropriate core vaccinations, as well as a 1-year Harris County pet license. Services will be offered at the Harris County Pets Resource Center, located at 612 Canino in Houston, on the following four dates:
- February 3 (Friday)
- February 17 (Friday)
- February 18 (Saturday)
- February 25 (Saturday)
Interested pet owners must make an appointment for these services in advance by calling HCP at 281-999-3191. (Press 0 for assistance as soon as you hear the recording.) Appointments are on a first-come-first-served basis for all dates.
“We know how costly it can be to own and care for a pet. That is why we are thrilled to offer this opportunity to assist pet owners in unincorporated Harris County who have not spayed or neutered their pet said Max Vigilant, interim director of Harris County Veterinary Public Health (VPH) and HCP. Dr. Vigilant also stated that “A spay or neuter service could range from $50 to as high as $500. The cost can be higher at a private veterinary clinic. Our spay and neuter special, including the microchip and vaccinations, will help save money for pet owners.”
Licensed veterinarians will administer the spay and neuter service for the public during the month-long special. For information, please call 218-999-3191 or visit CountyPets.com.
Benefits of Spay and Neuter
While many people love puppies or kittens, the Houston region and surrounding areas experience many homeless pets that can produce more than one litter during the year, contributing to an overpopulation of dogs and cats in many local shelters.
In observance of National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, HCP encourages pet owners to spay or neuter their furry companions. An altered pet makes for a healthy pet, and ultimately prevents the birth of unwanted animals that are either surrendered to a shelter or abandoned in neighborhoods.
“Not surprisingly, the Houston-Galveston region faces an overabundance of cats and dogs in our neighborhoods because the warm climate in this area provides ideal conditions for animals to breed all year round,” said Vigilant.
“Unfortunately, and quite often, these conditions can contribute to the stress of an overcrowded shelter that seeks to maintain the health and safety of all animals without compromising the quality of care they receive. Spaying or neutering a pet not only helps control the population of stray animals in our communities, but can bring many benefits to that pet’s health, well-being and life span.”
Below are a few other benefits of spaying and neutering, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA):
- Your pet will live a longer, healthier life.
- Early spaying of female dogs and cats can help protect them from some serious health problems later in life such as uterine infections and breast cancer.
- Neutering your male pet prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.
- Your pet may improve his/her behavior. Neutering a male pet can reduce:
- Roaming and mounting
- Spraying or marking
- Aggression, if neutered at a younger age
- Spaying/neutering is highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter.
Most dogs generally can be spayed or neutered as early as six months old, and cats as early as two months. However, the time may vary for every pet depending on the animal’s weight, breed, and physical condition. HCP encourages you to talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your furry companion.
About Harris County Pets
Harris County Pets, resourced by Harris County Public Health, provides veterinary care and adoption services for homeless pets, a pet medical clinic for the public, responsible pet ownership education, as well as animal control services in unincorporated Harris County. Visit our website, CountyPets.com, and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
