Having Your Dog Spayed in Arizona? How to Save Money

Do you have a female puppy who is around male dogs? If you answered yes and you aren't interested in having a litter of puppies to take care of, you'll need to make plans during the puppy's first year to have her spayed. A good time to get this done is around six months old, however the surgery can be performed up to five years old.

What is Involved When Getting Your Dog Spayed?

Spaying is a surgical procedure that will completely remove your dog's uterus, much like a human hysterectomy. A small incision is made in the lower stomach area to perform the surgery, which is closed up afterward with dissolvable stitches. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, your pet will come home same day, and she will need several weeks to get back to normal. During the healing period, it is wise to use an Elizabethan collar to keep your dog from licking or biting the incision.

Why Get Your Dog Spayed or Neutered?

The Arizona Humane Society has been taking care of the Arizona pet population since 1957 and offer the full range of pet services. They tell us that one female dog and her offspring can create 67,000 dogs in just six years!

In addition they site the following reasons to neuter a dog:

1. It significantly reduces the risks of your dog developing cancer or other illness.

2. It makes dogs less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away or get lost.

3. Pets will be less aggressive and less likely to bite.

4. Your dog is more likely to be calm, gentle and affectionate.

5. It can reduce or eliminate unwanted behaviors such as spraying, wailing and heat cycles.

In addition, the registration costs of a dog that has been neutered is reduced!

Getting Your Dog Spayed at the Arizona Humane Society's Mobile Unit

Using the services of the Arizona Human Society instead of an Animal Hospital will save an owner several hundred dollars. The Arizona Humane Society offers spay and neuter services in their mobile units in the Phoenix metro area according to a schedule posted on their website.

The Arizona Humane Society website gives the following guidelines for their mobile unit:

• No food for 12 hours prior to the surgery.
• Pets must be at least 2 months old and not older than 5 years.
• Only 2 pets per household.
• Pets must weight at least 2 ½ pounds, and not weigh more than 95 pounds.
• Dogs must be on a leash.
• They will not accept females that are in heat or pregnant.
• They may refuse overly aggressive dogs to ensure the safety of other pets and staff. (If aggression is a factor, and the dog is accepted for surgery, additional fees will apply.)
• Cash only payment.

Surgery check-in at the mobile surgery site begins at 7 A.M. and it is wise to show up early!

Additional Ways to Save Money at Arizona Humane Society

In addition to the reduced costs, the Arizona Humane Society has additional discounts. They give 10% OFF clinic services for those with military ID, and to those employed in law enforcement or firefighting. They also offer 5% OFF surgery fees if you bring in one of 5 items (paper towels, NEW dog or cat toys, unopened wet or dry dog/cat food, NEW treats or office supplies. In addition they also participate in the MCACC Spay/Neuter Voucher Program

My Personal Experience with Having My Puppy Spayed

I found the experience of getting my female puppy spayed at the Arizona Humane Society an easy, affordable and convenient one! My Maltese/Poodle/Shitzu mix puppy is an important part of my life and she was treated with love and did very well with the surgery. I had it done when she was around six months old.

Here's what to expect at the mobile clinic:

*You'll check in upon arrival and will be asked to complete an informational form. (The form can be downloaded from their website and completed in advance.)

*Around 8:00 AM, they will start calling dog's names in the order of their arrival. ( I arrived around 7:30 and waited my turn for around 45 minutes.)

*Once called, you will meet with the staff briefly to discuss your dog's needs, and for the vet to conduct an exam.

*Your pet will be caged until all the dogs are checked in and surgery begins for the day.

*You'll be given a designated pick up window (mine was around 4:00), at which time they will collect their cash payment and provide post-surgery instructions.

My Puppy's Recovery At home:

My puppy was groggy, tender around the incision and slept much of the first day. She was lethargic and wasn't very hungry for a few days, but did eat a little. She was not concerned about her house training and wet near her bed a few times, so it's wise to take your dog outside often and use puppy pads. Bowel movements seemed to be painful for her that first week.

During the second week, when she started to feel better, I had to stay diligent in keeping her from jumping or playing too hard. I kept the doggie door closed so she would not jump through it and pull her stitches. A small reddish bump was visible in the incision site which turned out to be just part of the healing process. She hated the Elizabethan collar, but I kept it on for ten days.

Three months after surgery, my puppy is growing into a well-behaved dog and a happy, healthy member of my family. Once you've gotten through all the puppy shots, I recommend you start planning to have your dog spayed.

Using the Arizona Humane Society to spay your dog is a low cost and convenient option. There's just no excuse not to take care of your pet's health with the low cost, convenient services they offer!

Related Reading:
"Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?"
"What Causes Tear Staining on Dogs?"
"Plants a Dog Shouldn't Eat"
"Foods That Dogs Can't Eat"
"What Does a Puppy Cost Its First Year?"
"Dog Name Ideas"

Resources:
The Arizona Humane Society Website