Neuter Commuter

Neuter Commuter Is Now Serving Prince William County!

Pets Spayed/Neutered on this program so far: 405

Next date: September 17/18, 2010

We are pleased to announce that the Prince William SPCA has a new spay/neuter clinic as a partner for this program. Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic will now provide the transportation and perform the procedures for this program. Pets are transported to the clinic via a specially equipped van that will travel to Prince William County monthly to pick up approximately 40 cats and dogs. It will then travel to the clinic where the pets will have their procedures and stay over night to recover. The next day, the van comes back to Prince William County. There is no income requirement so anyone can participate, but space is limited. The van will run monthly, however, the frequency of the service may be expanded if the need increases beyond 40 pets a month. We have made this change because the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic offers lower prices, shorter commutes, and overnight recovery for our pets. If you have participated in the program last year, please note these changes.

Fee Schedule (subject to change at any time):

Female dog: $65*
Male dogs: $55*
Female cats: $50
Male cat: $35
Crate Fee: $10 NEW

Available only to pets being spayed/neutered on Neuter Commuter:

Rabies Vaccination: $10
Advantage: $10 for both cats and dogs (also may be ordered through the clinic by clicking here)
FVRCP - Comb Vaccination:$10
Canine DA2PP - Comb Vaccination:$10
Feline Leuk/FIV Test: $20
Canine 3DX Test: $20
Ear Cleaning and Nail Trim Combo: $10
Home Again microchip with registration: $20
Feline Leuk/FIV Test: $20
Cryptorchid Male: $45
*An additional fee of $25 will be applied to dogs weighing over 50 lbs. We do not transport dogs weighing more than 75 pounds.

Please note: Payment is made in advance and there are no refunds or reschedules for cancellations or no-shows since the Prince William SPCA is responsible for payment of all reservations. If you miss your appointment, you can not reschedule it for another day.

Disclosure: The PWSPCA Neuter Commuter is a program that transports pets to a high volume, low cost clinic. It should be noted that there are risks involved with spaying and neutering and increased risks associated with transporting pets before and after surgery. While anyone is eligible for the program, it is designed to help those people in the community who cannot afford the procedure locally. Please read all the information carefully before signing up to determine if this program is right for you and your family.

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Other Spay Neuter News!

Can't get on the Neuter Commuter this month? The Kincheloe Clinic in Fredericksburg has just been expanded to take more pets! See their web site for more information. For their fee schedule, click here. Please note they only take cash and operate M-F. You must have a reservation in advance.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Neuter Commuter

Do you offer refunds or reschedules for missed appointments?
No, if you miss your appointment for any reason, you will have to register and pay again to participate on a different day. Our transport is sold out every month, which means when you cancel, no other pet is taken in your place. Your space on the van is reserved by your payment, which is non refundable and nontransferable. We are required to reserve a certain number of pets for each transport and are responsible for making sure the van is full on the day that is reserved for the PWSPCA. We charge no administration fees for the transport and invest many hours preparing forms and documents for each pet registered. Because of these reasons, we hope you understand that we cannot offer refunds.

Where do I drop my pet off?
The PWSPCA is working to secure a location for our new program and will let participants know via e-mail where and when to drop off their pets before their transport date.

I cannot get my pet to the drop off location. Can you help?
Yes, the Prince William SPCA has partnered with the Doodlebug Dog Walker to provide local transportation assistance. Costs are based on time ($20 per half hour). Discounts are available for low-income families. They can be reached at (571) 969-5717 or doodlebugdogwalker@yahoo.com.

Where do the pets on the Neuter Commuter go?
The Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic is our partner for this program. They have extensive experience that include spaying and neutering more than 50,000 cats and dogs. Their drivers are experienced veterinary assistants. Their facility is located at 910 North Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Tel: 540-437-1980 Fax: 540-437-1982 Web site: www.spayandneuterclinic.org

Can I take my pet directly to the Spay/Neuter Clinic on a different day?
Absolutely. While the Prince William SPCA offers the Neuter Commuter service as a convenience to local residents, you may take your pets to the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic. The PWSPCA actually prefers that if you have an aggressive pet that you take him or her directly to the clinic. Appointments are available 5 days a week and pre-registration is required. Call Tel: 540-437-1980

I registered but did not pay. Can I pay on-site?
No, all payments must be made in advance and at the time of registering. We no longer offer a link to return to Google Checkout to pay separately. This program has become very popular and our volunteers are unable to adequately track payments to registrations when they are not done at the same time.

I received an e-mail from the PWSPCA. This means I am registered, right?
The e-mail you receive from the PWSPCA at the time of registering only confirms the types of services, not your payment or participation in the program. Only registrants who have a confirmation of the payment through Google Checkout are eligible for transport.

Will my pet receive pain medication?
Yes, all pets registered for the Neuter Commuter receive pain medications at the clinic and additional medications to take home, at no cost, if necessary.

Will I have to take my pet to a local vet to remove the stitches?
No, stitches used in surgery for the Neuter Commuter dissolve so there is no need to do anything with them after the appointment.

Are pets monitored overnight?
Pets have surgery on Friday and are monitored by the clinic's staff until the evening but are not monitored overnight night. Any pet that does not wake from surgery or is having complications when the staff leaves will be transferred to a local 24-hour clinic for overnight monitoring or the pet's family will be contacted for other arrangements.

Is there anything I need to do in advance of my trip?
A detailed e-mail will be sent one week and one day before the surgery telling participants exactly what they need to do. The Prince William SPCA also recommends that all pets traveling on the Neuter Commuter receive a flea/tick pre-treatment as a preventative measure two days before the transport. There are 40 pets that will be transported in the same van and some of those pets live outside and may be exposed to fleas and ticks.

Who is the Neuter Commuter program designed for?
While open to all public pets (no rescues, please), this program is designed to help those families that cannot afford or who may not choose to have their pets altered otherwise. It is important to note that the clinic is a high-volume, low-cost clinic that alters 50+ pets a day. The Neuter Commuter pets commute two hours each way. If you are uncomfortable with the commute or are looking for a personalized or spa treatment for your pets, the Neuter Commuter Program may not be right for you. Instead, we advise you contact your local veterinarian for an appointment.