King County Spay Station

• Payment is CASH ONLY.

• Cat fees are $35 for males or $55 for females.  If you cannot afford this low fee, South County Cats will subsidize the surgery with a $20 co-pay from you, while funding lasts.

• Please note that as of May 1st, dog fees are $95 for males or $105 for females.  If you cannot afford this low fee, Regional Animal Services of King County will subsidize the surgery with a $55 co-pay from you (includes take home pain meds and e-collar).

• The surgery is free to ALL free-roaming cats.

• Additional services are available at reduced cost. These services are only available in combination with spay or neuter surgery. The exception is flea treatment, which can be purchased prior to intake in the morning for $10.
  • Vaccines: $10 ea.
  • Bordetella, FeLV vaccines: $15
  • Microchip: $10
  • Roundworm: $5
  • Tapeworm: $5
  • Cat Carriers: $5
  • E-collars: $5 (included in DOG co-pay)
  • Take home pain medication (included in DOG cop-pay)
  • Flea treatment: $10
  • FeLV test: $15

Annual Household income must be under …

• You must be at the location by 6:45 am. It is NOT first come, first serve. We fill the spaces based on size, sex, species, and priority. Due to space limitations, we cannot guarantee that your pet will be admitted that day. Reservations will take priority.

• Please bring a completed consent form with you. Click here for a PDF printable form. If you are not able to print the consent form we will provide one for you on the morning of the clinic.

• NOTE: Pregnant and in-heat pets take priority.

• Pick up times for that afternoon will be announced once you check in.

• Click here to make a reservation.

• No food after 10pm the night before surgery, unless your animal is under 5lbs. Animals less than 5 pounds may have a very small amount of wet food early morning. Bring 2 bath towels per animal and any medical records if you have them.

• Please leave your animal in the car (temperature permitting) when you first arrive; staff will provide further instructions.

• You may bring your cat in any secure and safe vessel. Or we have cardboard carriers that you can purchase for $5.  If a cat escapes a carrier/box, we cannot be held responsible.

• Blood work is recommended for animals over six years of age and required for pets eight years or older. If this applies to you, please bring in blood results that are no more than two weeks old. We are unable to provide this service so please ask your local veterinarian for a “geriatric panel” for s/n surgery.

• Dogs must be at least 3 months old (4 months for small breed dogs), arrive wearing a well-fitting collar, and be on a leash.

• Cats must be at least 2 lbs and arrive in their own secure carrier or box (PLEASE…one cat per carrier). A small litter of kittens may come together in one carrier. You may be asked to purchase a cardboard carrier for their ride home.

• Unfortunately, we cannot accept dogs over 70lbs, due to space limitations.

• Cats that arrive in humane live traps need to go home in a secure carrier, not a trap. Please provide a carrier if you bring a cat in a trap.

• Pets do NOT need to be vaccinated.

• We are able to perform cryptorchid surgeries for pets over 6 months old.

• In heat cats and dogs welcome.

• Pregnant cats and dogs welcome and take priority.

Congratulations from all of us on the Spay Station! Your pet will lead a happier, healthier life now that it has been altered. We’ve done our part- how well and how quickly your pet recovers from the surgery depends on the quality of care that you provide. We are not responsible if your pet removes its sutures, so please make sure to keep an eye on your animal. Please follow the instructions below to assure a healthy recovery for your pet.

• OFFER YOUR PET small amounts of WATER ONCE IT’S HOME, and small amounts of food when your pet is alert and upright. Your pet may not feel like eating the first day home because the anesthesia causes nausea. Appetite and activity level should return to normal within 24 hours after surgery. Don’t change your pet’s diet or give extra treats or human food; it will be tempting to spoil them after surgery, but it isn’t good for them and might cause stomach upset.

• YOUR PET MUST BE KEPT INDOORS, where it can stay clean, dry and warm for 7-10 days. Cats must stay indoors for 10 days, and dogs must be kept on a leash for potty breaks.

• CHECK YOUR PET’S INCISION DAILY. What you see today is what we consider normal. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal.

• There is a small, green tattoo near the incision site on your pet to show that they have been altered. Some green ink may have spread around on your pet’s skin while they were in recovery- don’t try to wash this off- it will wear off on its own and the tattoo will heal very quickly.

• DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PET TO EXCESSIVELY LICK OR CHEW THE INCISION. An e-collar or t-shirt should be used for at least a week to prevent this with dogs.

• LIMIT YOUR PET’S ACTIVITY for the next 10 days; no running jumping, swimming, playing, strenuous activities, playing with other pets or children. You may need to keep your recovering pet in a separate room or crate. Dogs may go for slow, brief, controlled leashed walks if they don’t pull and can stay dry.

• NO BATHS OR WATER PLAY FOR 10 DAYS.

• All animals receive an injection for pain post-surgery. Please see the invoice for any further special instructions about pain medication that you might have purchased. ONLY GIVE YOUR PET MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY A VET.

• If you purchased an e-collar, your pet should wear it at all times, especially when you’re not looking. Put it over their head, small end first. The e-collar is adjustable, so please check the fit. You don’t want it to be too tight, but you also don’t want your pet to be able to push it off. Your pet will not like wearing it, but it’s for their own good. If they struggle with the collar at first, do not panic and take it off. Give them a chance to adjust. You can use your pet’s own collar to help keep it on. Also make sure they can get to their food and water bowl with it on. At least a week post-surgery, your pet will likely be ready to go without the e-collar. When it is first taken off, be sure to have time to spend with your pet to make sure he/she doesn’t lick excessively or chew at the incision.

• Keep your pet’s surgery report/invoice. It’s verification that your pet has been altered. It indicates what vaccinations were given and when boosters are due. If a rabies vaccine was given, you’ll receive a Certificate of Rabies Vaccination as well.

• IF YOUR PET DEVELOPS A SMALL BUMP UNDER THEIR INCISION, it’s likely because they have been too active, and their body has formed a fluid pocket to help cushion the area. If the bump is the same color as the rest of their skin, and your pet is eating, drinking, and behaving normally, put even more effort into keeping them quiet and give their body a few extra days to re-absorb the fluid.

• PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY AT (206) 883-5538 if the bump is red or oozing, and your pet is refusing to eat or drink. Other symptoms to monitor for are: pale gums, discharge or bleeding from the incision, depression, difficulty urinating, vomiting, labored breathing or diarrhea.

• Remember that we are not responsible for any follow-up veterinary bills, so please follow these instructions to prevent the need for further veterinary costs.

If a problem should develop, contact your regular veterinarian immediately. If your vet office is closed, contact an Emergency Vet Clinic near you.

For emergencies within the first 48 hours of surgery, call (206) 883-5538.

FOR FERAL CATS:

• Keep the cat in its carrier, or trap until it can move around normally. The cat can cause injury or damage to itself, you or to your property if released too soon. It’s coordination is hindered by anesthesia, so it won’t be able to jump or climb normally until the anesthesia fully wears off.

• Keep the carrier or trap in a warm, dry, draft-free and sheltered area where you can check on it frequently for the next 24 hours. Cover the carrier or trap with sheets, towels or blankets to trap warm air and preserve body heat. If the carrier or trap is on a cold floor (i.e., garage) place a thick towel or blanket under AND over it to maintain the warmth and heat.

• Make sure there is ample ventilation in hot weather so that the cat doesn’t overheat.

• With feral cats we ear tip (cut off the tip of the left ear) the cats ear so that people can see that the cat has already been altered without trapping it.

• Unless otherwise instructed, or noted on the medical record, release the cat the day after surgery. If the medical record indicates that the cat is lactating, she should be released sooner, but only when she is fully awake and moving around easily.

• Before releasing, make sure the animal is bright and alert and there isn’t any blood in the carrier. If there is a significant amount of blood, the cat may have opened the sutures and they will need to return to the Spay Station before they are released.