For pet owners in Lakewood Forest North, an upcoming clinic at Matzke Park could make three important pieces of veterinary care considerably more affordable.

PetSet, Harris County Precinct 3 and Harris County Pets are bringing low-cost spay and neuter services to Matzke Park, located at 13110 Jones Road in Houston, from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2. The program is open to Harris County Precinct 3 residents and costs $20 per pet, with spay or neuter surgery, core vaccinations and a microchip included.

There is one catch worth knowing before making plans: registration is required, and walk-ins will not be accepted.

As of the latest availability provided for the Matzke Park event, appointments remained for six small male dogs, one extra-large female dog and 15 male cats. Because those numbers can change as residents register, families interested in the program may want to check availability sooner rather than later.

What the $20 PetSet appointment includes

PetSet's current program information confirms that the $20 charge is a non-refundable fee per pet, with no additional cost for the services included in the appointment. Each participating animal receives a spay or neuter procedure, a microchip and vaccinations, including rabies and either DHPP for dogs or FVRCP for cats.

For a household in Lakewood Forest North that has been putting off those services because of cost, the clinic offers a chance to address several needs in one visit close to home.

PetSet says pets are dropped off at 7 a.m. and generally picked up later the same day, typically between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., although staff provide a more specific pickup time at drop-off. Cats must arrive in carriers, while dogs must be on leashes. The registered owner must be at least 18 and authorized to consent to the animal's treatment.

Registration for the Matzke Park clinic is available through PetSet's spay and neuter program page. Register for a PetSet spay or neuter appointment at pet-set.org/spay-neuter.

Residents seeking additional information may also call 281-624-5688. 

Why spaying and neutering is part of a larger Harris County effort

The Matzke Park clinic is one stop in a broader series of low-cost spay and neuter events being offered throughout Harris County Precinct 3.

The Precinct 3 schedule includes clinics in communities ranging from Spring, Humble and Huffman to Cypress, with Matzke Park scheduled for Aug. 30-Sept. 2 and additional Cypress-area dates continuing into September.

The goal extends beyond making veterinary care less expensive for individual households. Spaying and neutering reduces the number of unplanned litters that can eventually enter shelters, rescues or the stray animal population — an issue that places pressure on animal welfare organizations across Greater Houston.

That is a significant challenge for Harris County Pets, which is operated through the Veterinary Public Health Division of Harris County Public Health. The county describes Harris County Pets as an open-intake municipal animal shelter that takes in approximately 10,000 to 18,000 animals each year.

The Veterinary Public Health Division also operates animal control and safety services, adoption and foster programs and the Harris County Pets Clinic, which provides basic low-cost veterinary care for owned pets. Its broader mission is centered on creating a safe and healthy environment for both residents and animals in unincorporated Harris County.

PetSet focuses on preventing animal homelessness before it begins

PetSet approaches the same issue from the nonprofit side.

The Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit works with community organizations, policymakers and public agencies to address animal homelessness through prevention, access to care, funding, advocacy and other community-based programs. PetSet is not itself an animal shelter or rescue organization; instead, it works alongside shelters, rescues and government partners while providing programs including low-cost spay and neuter services and community vaccination events.

That prevention-first approach is a big reason services such as the Matzke Park clinic matter beyond a single appointment. Every pet that is sterilized and microchipped represents one more opportunity to prevent an unwanted litter and improve the chances that a lost pet can be reunited with its family.

For residents living near the park, it also puts preventive veterinary services within a familiar part of northwest Harris County rather than requiring a longer trip across the Houston area.

What Lakewood Forest North pet owners should know before registering

The Aug. 30-Sept. 2 Matzke Park clinic is limited to Harris County Precinct 3 residents, and the type and size of animal selected during registration matter. PetSet advises residents to register the animal they actually intend to bring; substituting a different pet can result in losing the appointment and deposit.

With only a limited number of appointments currently listed for certain cats and dogs, availability may change before the event begins.

Matzke Park PetSet Spay & Neuter Clinic

• Where: Matzke Park, 13110 Jones Road, Houston, TX 77070
• When: Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2026
• Cost: $20 per pet
• Includes: Spay/neuter surgery, core vaccines and microchipping
• Eligibility: Harris County Precinct 3 residents
• Registration: Required at pet-set.org/spay-neuter; no walk-ins accepted
• Information: 281-624-5688 

For local families, programs like this one serve a practical purpose: they lower a financial barrier to responsible pet care while also addressing a much larger animal population issue facing Harris County.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more community resources, local events and updates affecting residents and families across the area.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

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.