HOW TO FIND A LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC FOR DOGS

Dog owners often ask, How much does it cost to get dogs fixed? The answer isn't so simple. The cost to spay or neuter a dog (or cat) varies widely depending on your geographical area, where you choose to have your dog spayed or neutered, and how readily available low cost spay and neuter services are in your area. Where and how to find a low cost spay and neuter clinic for dogs in your area isn't difficult. It just takes a little effort and research on your part. For me, it was so worth it!

You may have read my earlier post on adopting my dog Jessie in October 2023 from a less than ethical rescue organization. Their adoption fee of $600 wasn't made very clear in their online listing, so the fee was more than I expected. We also ended up having to get her spayed ourselves. Our Veterinarian estimated $1,000 or so to have my dog spayed. That was just too much money, especially after paying the $600 adoption fee. I decided to look for a low cost spay and neuter clinic near me. 

How to find a low cost spay and neuter clinic for dogs
My dog Jessie, shortly after we adopted her


Finding Low Cost Spay and Neuter For Dogs



Fortunately, I was able to find much less costly spay/neuter services for my dog at Peggy Adams, a wonderful and very reputable nearby animal rescue here in South Florida. My dog's spay surgery only cost $150! I saved a whopping $850 by using their low cost spay/neuter clinic. That is quite a savings, wouldn't you say?! The staff at Peggy Adams was terrific, and they did a great job with Jessie's spay. I would recommend Peggy Adams to anyone in the Palm Beach County, Florida area.


How I Found A Lower Spay Cost for My Dog



To find organizations that offer low cost spay and neuter near me, I turned to my local county's animal control web site. They have a page that lists nearby animal shelter, animal rescue, and Veterinary clinics that offer low cost spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats.  

If you are looking for lower cost spay/neuter services for your pet, look online for your county's local animal control facility or municipal animal shelter, or your area's general community services offered to residents. One of those places should have, or be able to direct you to, a listing of local spay and neuter clinics in your area. Some Veterinarians even participate in offering lower cost spay/neuter services. After reading a comment on this post from my friend Terri at Tail Wag Wisdom, I will add that you can also check with your local ASPCA or Humane Society. They would surely know about low cost, sometimes even free, spay/neuter clinics in your area. What a great idea, thanks Terri!

If you can't find the information there, call your own Veterinarian and ask where you can find low cost spay and neuter services for your pet. Don't feel bad about asking your Vet's office where you can go to find cheaper spay/neuter services! They know it's expensive and sometimes beyond peoples' budgets. They're Veterinary professionals, and good Veterinarians are dedicated to preventing unwanted litters. They will likely let you know where you can find lower cost spay and neuter clinics in your area. 

When I called my Veterinarian's office, the receptionist was so kind and understanding about my dismay over what the cost of spaying my dog would be. She totally understood my desire to reduce the cost of spaying my dog.

Once you find a couple of facilities that offer low cost spay and neuter services, contact several of them to see which one offers the best prices and services. Even with low cost spay and neuter clinics, the prices can really vary! 

Here's a snapshot from my county animal control's listing of places in the county that offer low cost spay and neuter services:

HOW TO FIND LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINICS FOR DOGS
A partial screen print of my county's listing of low cost spay/neuter clinics


In my county, 8 animal shelter and animal rescue organizations that provide low cost spay/neuter services were listed. I called 3 on the list and the prices varied, from $150 to about $400. I was happy to see that the animal shelter closest to me actually had the lowest cost! That shocked me because it's a really nice animal shelter! It's actually one of the nicest and most popular animal shelters in the area. I also really liked their process for low cost spay/neuter services. It was a very streamlined process that was done same day. I dropped my dog off in the morning and was able to pick her up just before 5pm. 

The staff in their clinic was so nice and treated everyone respectfully, both people and pets. This shelter has a lot of generous supporters in the community and I think that's why they're able to offer such an excellent and affordable spay/neuter program. 

I feel fortunate to have been able to save a significant amount of money on my dog's spay, and for the process to have gone so well. My dog was treated great, and the surgery went beautifully! I was really impressed.

What questions to ask when choosing a low cost spay/neuter clinic?


Once you find low cost spay/neuter services near you, select the one that works best for you and your dog. Consider the cost, and their process and procedures, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

The first question will of course be about price. Find out what the total cost will be, including the Spay/Neuter surgery and whether or not the cost of any post surgery medications, if needed, is included in the fee. Spaying and neutering dogs usually costs more than spay/neuter for cats. Many places also charge less for smaller dogs than larger dogs.

➤ Where is the facility that will perform the spay/neuter procedure located? Is it in the same location as the shelter or rescue you're calling, or are spay/neuter services performed in a different location? See how far it will be from your home to ensure distance isn't an issue for you.

➤ Find out how to register your pet for spay or neuter surgery, or if it's a walk-in service where no reservations are given. Registering in advance likely enables you to drop off your pet to have it done, whereas walk-in services could require you and your dog to wait around for much of the day. 

Many low cost spay/neuter clinics are busy, so start the process early. Leave plenty of time to schedule yours if you can schedule in advance. I had to schedule Jessie's spay a few weeks out because they were so booked up, but I was later lucky enough to be able to bump it up due to a cancellation.

Peggy Adams, where Jessie got her spay/neuter surgery, ran like clockwork! The entire process was simple and streamlined. I was able to register my dog for her spay surgery via an online calendar. Their available dates and times were broken out into small and large dogs. They spayed and neutered the small dogs on the same day. Larger dogs were spayed/neutered on a different day of the week. 

The $150 cost of my dog's spay covered everything needed for the procedure. I was advised that she shouldn't run or be too active for several days following the surgery, but other than that she was good to go!

➤ Find out what information you'll need to provide to the facility. They will likely want to know basic information such as gender, age, weight, where you purchased/adopted or found your dog, your Veterinarian's name and phone number as well as vaccination information, especially rabies. If your dog takes medication or has any known health issues they'll need that information.

Most communities offer these affordable options for spaying and neutering dogs and cats. Local governments have a vested interest in limiting unwanted puppy litters, unwanted cat litters, and feral cats breeding rampantly in the streets. It's a part of public welfare, animal welfare, and even public safety. If you're searching for lower cost spay/neuter services in your community, there should definitely be options available to you. You just need to look for them!

Have you ever used a low cost spay or neuter services in your community? Tell us about it in the comments and share your experience.

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How to find a low cost spay and neuter clinic for dogs


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7 OF THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS FOR DOGS

In this article, I'd like to share 7 of the Best New Products for dogs I found at the Global Pet Expo conference in Orlando Fl, March 2023. Global Pet Expo is one of the largest trade shows for the pet industry in North America. 

Global Pet Expo is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Global Pet Expo is where pet industry companies showcase their products to retailers, distributors, and other members of the trade, as well as members of the media. 

As a Content Creator and Influencer in the pet space, I attended the event as a member of the media. I attended this exciting pet industry trade show to find the best dog toys, dog treats, innovative and interesting dog accessories, and other dog products to share with you!

After scouring the Global Pet Expo show floor, here are 7 of my favorite new and interesting products for dogs that were featured at the show!


PETSAFE 3 in 1 travel harness for dogs. 


We've used the PetSafe Easy Walk no-pull dog harness for many years, for our Siberian Husky dog. We can't live without it! 

PetSafe is one of my favorite brands, and since we travel a lot with our dogs I was really excited about this product! The PetSafe's 3 in 1 dog harness is a versatile harness for dogs that can be used as a standard harness, a no-pull harness, and car safety restraint for dogs. The 3 in 1 dog harness allows me to walk my dog, and keep her safe while riding in the car by attaching the harness to my car's seatbelt. 

Whether you're taking a short ride to the park or Veterinarian, or taking a lengthy road trip with your dog, it's a great everyday harness that can transition to a dog travel safety accessory for the car! In this video, my Husky Icy demonstrates how to use the 3 in 1 dog harness.




Wellness® Supplements for Dogs


I've trusted WellnessPet products for years. My dogs are wild for their WHIMZEES dental chews, and I like several varieties of their dry and wet dog food.  I was delighted to learn that Wellness has introduced a wonderful line of supplements for dogs to help support a dog's overall health and well being! A variety of tasty supplement chews support dog health benefits in 5 different areas; Digestion, Hip and Joint support, Calming, Immune system support, and healthy Skin and Coat supportI can't wait to try them for my dogs!


Best New Products for Dogs.    Wellness Supplements for dogs.

Wellness supplements are currently available online from PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon. They'll also be available in pet supply stores soon. 


ANIMAL BINOME


AnimalBiome is a biotech company offering an innovative pet health solution. Their DoggyBiome and KittyBiome test kits help get to the root of a pet's gut health problems. They  use microbiome technology to assess and restore gut health in dogs and cats. Imbalances in a pet’s gut microbiome are tied to an increased risk of many health issues, including those related to digestion, skin, and body weight. 

7 OF THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS FOR DOGS   AnimalBiome gut health test for dogs and cats

AnimalBiome’s microbiome tests provide actionable insights that empower pet parents to restore balance to the microbiomes of sick dogs or cats. AnimalBiome’s unique supplements restore key groups of beneficial bacteria that can be lost as a result of parasitic infections and antibiotic exposure. This company's pet health technology generated so much excitement at Global Pet Expo!


ARTIE is the first countertop appliance that brings artisan-inspired and perfectly portioned pet meals that are gently cooked and ready to serve in under 3 minutes, at the touch of a button.  


ARTIE home cooked meals for pets

The Arizona-based startup won the prestigious 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina at Global Pet Expo! Watch the video on their web site to see exactly how ARTIE works   The ARTIE product will be launching Summer 2023!


Rubie's costumes for pets

Rubie's is a company we know well. They have a huge store in New York, where we used to live. Every Halloween it was so much fun to see what giant sized characters and costumes were displayed on their massive front lawn!  I was excited to see that they have an enormous line of pet costumes available. 

I got to see an array of their beautiful, quality costumes for dogs, at the show. They have some costumes for large/XL dogs as well, and costumes for cats too!  On their website, you'll find all of Rubies pet costumes from collections like Disney, Paw Patrol, Nickelodeon, Hello Kitty, Marvel, DC Comics, Christmas costumes, and more. They have so many adorable dog costumes!  

Best New Products for Dogs   Pet costumes by Rubies. Costumes for dogs



Should I dress Icy up as Minnie Mouse, or one of the Hocus Pocus characters this Halloween - What do you think? Jessie could probably wear the Jason costume from Friday the 13th, 'cause she's a bit evil LOL!! 


Alaska Puppy Love

As many of you already know, Icy loves Salmon! I was happy to come across Alaska Puppy Love's salmon dog treats at the show. I really enjoyed talking with these guys, learning about the product and their process. 

What I think is unique about this company is that they own the entire product process, end to end. They fish for the salmon in Alaska, process, and package it in-house. There is no middle man throughout the process until distribution.


Best New Products for Dogs.   Alaskan Salmon treats for dogs
Alaska Puppy Love salmon treats for dogs

It was no surprise that Icy loved these salmon treat samples! Their healthy whole salmon skins are currently sold at Costco stores. Here's a video of Icy sampling these yummy Salmon treats.




LickiMat® 

I had heard a lot about LickiMat, an enrichment tool that can help slow down dogs that eat too fast, can provide calming to dogs, and more. I really wanted one for my dogs, especially Jessie who is pretty hyper and also tends to wolf her food down at lightening speed! I received a few LickiMats to try and I think it's a great product. 


7 of the Best New Products for Dogs in 2023  Dog enrichment, Dog behavior, Dog toys, Slow Feeder for dogs, Calming tool for dog
LickiMats for Dogs


They have so many varieties of LickiMats, providing dogs with benefits like; slow down eating, provide a calming activity, relieving boredom, use as a training tool, or just a Fun activity! LickiMat has Slow feeder and enrichment products for both dogs and cats. As you can see from this video, Icy certainly enjoyed it!




People love their dogs and other pets like family. The pet industry has been growing by leaps and bounds the last decade or so, and there is no sign of that growth slowing down. I'd like to share some interesting statistics about the pet industry I learned at Global Pet Expo.

In 2023 the APPA National Pet Owners Survey showed that there are about 65.1 million Dogs and 46.5 million cats in U.S households. The majority of pets are owned by Millennials, followed by Gen X-ers, and then Baby Boomers.

In 2022 $136.8 Billion was spent on pets and pet supplies in the U.S. In 2023 that number is expected to top $146 Billion

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Here's the breakdown of 2022 pet expenditures

Breakdown (Actual)
 
                                       
Pet Food & Treats                                                         $58.1 billion 
Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine                      $31.5 billion
Vet Care & Product Sales                                             $35.9 billion
Other Services*                                                             $11.4 billion  

Total                                                                $136.8 billion  

*Other Services include boarding, grooming, insurance, training, pet sitting and walking and all services outside of veterinary care

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Mom does a nice presentation, but we're just waiting for her to bring us back some yummy treats from the conference!

Which of these great new pet products would you like to try for your dog or cat? Tell us in the comments!


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9 GREAT DOG FRIENDLY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE U.S.

Over the last 10 years or more I've been delighted to see how many more hotels and travel destinations have become dog friendly. I started traveling with my dogs because Icy, being a Husky, was too big to travel with me on an airplane. The first year or two of her life I used to board her when we went on vacation. But I found I just missed her way too much and always worried about her.  Was she missing us? What if she became ill or injured and we weren't there?  I began looking for vacation destinations that would not only be great for us but would also be welcoming and fun for dogs too. Over the last 13 years I've traveled extensively with my dogs across the U.S. and discovered so many wonderful dog friendly places! I love to travel with my dogs, I can hardly imagine vacation without them.  So I decided to share these 9 Great Dog Friendly Travel Destinations across the U.S.



9 Great Dog Friendly Travel Destinations Across the U.S
My Husky Icy hiking in Sedona, Arizona

CAN DOG PARENTS CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY?

SHOULD DOG MOMS CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY?

Can dog parents celebrate Mother's Day? Of course they can! If you think about it, what exactly is a Mom? She's someone who's heart swells with love when she looks at you, she loves you unconditionally even if you have a few flaws, she raises you, nurtures and comforts you, she takes care of you the best she can, and she always wants the very best for you. Isn't that what we do for our dogs, too? 

Dogs, cats, and other pets have become so important in peoples' lives. They have come to occupy a special place in the soul of their family and have become part of the fabric of family life. So if you ask me, any pet mom can celebrate Mother's Day with love and pride!  Dog mom, Cat mom, Turtle mom, Hamster mom, you name it! We love our pets like family, and we consider our pets to be our 4 legged (or how ever many furry, feathered, or scaly legs they may have!) kids.

CAN DOG PARENTS CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY?   Dog mom, Mother's Day, Mother's Day cards
Me and my Husky hiking in Arizona


Many mothers and dog owners will say "Hey, I'm not just a Mom, I'm a Dog Mom too!"  There's no shame in having a heart full of love for your dog or thinking of your dog as your fur kid.  Loving a pet nearly as much as a family member (and sometimes even more!) is ok! It doesn't take anything away from the love you feel for your human children if you Love your dog like family too. So should Dog Moms celebrate Mother's Day?  I say Hell Yeah, you bet they should!


IS THERE A MOTHER'S DAY FOR DOG MOMS AND PET MOMS?


However, if you prefer to keep the traditional Mother's Day, the second Sunday in May, as a day to only celebrate human motherhood that's fine too. You have two other special days where you can join other pet parents to celebrate your Dog Mom or Pet Dad awesomeness! 

THE TOP EASTER DANGER TO DOGS

Easter and the tradition of Easter candy and chocolate Easter bunnies is upon us. I want to take the opportunity to remind everyone of just how toxic chocolate is to dogs. In fact, chocolate is reportedly the top Easter danger to dogsCats face similar risks for chocolate poisoning.

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The Top Easter Danger to Dogs   Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, Chocolate is toxic to dogs
Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs!

CHOCOLATE IS THE TOP EASTER DANGER TO DOGS


Why chocolate is toxic to dogs


The reason chocolate is poisonous to dogs is because it contains Theobromine (aka xantheose), which is toxic to dogs. If the chocolate also contains raisins, macadamia nuts or other substances that are also toxic to dogs, the effect can be compounded.  Chocolate is made from the cocoa bean, which is a natural source of Theobromine.

The general rule is that the higher the amount of Theobromine, the more toxic the chocolate is for dogs. And Dark chocolate can contain as much as 10 times more Theobromine than milk chocolate!  

According to the ASPCA, Chocolate is number one on their list of the Top 5 Easter Toxins for pets


How much chocolate is toxic to dogs?


Chocolate toxicity in dogs could occur if a dog ingests as little as 1.8 ounces of milk chocolate for a small dog, 1.5 ounces for a medium dog and 2 ounces for large dogs.

Chocolate Easter bunnies can be hollow or solid milk or dark chocolate, of varied sizes so the amount of chocolate they contain varies. The typical chocolate bunny contains anywhere from 2 ounces to upwards of 14 ounces! 

There are other Easter pet toxins such as Easter Lily plants and other substances.  But today I wanted to focus on chocolate, because chocolate is so toxic to dogs. It's considered the most common toxic substance for dogs at Easter and other holidays.  It is also extremely plentiful in most homes, and unfortunately easy for dogs to inadvertently get into.


The Merck Veterinary Manual (Merck Pharmaceuticals) contains a great Chocolate Toxicity Calculator. You can input your dog's weight and the amount of chocolate your dog has ingested, in ounces or grams, and the calculator will make a treatment recommendation.  It will recommend "No Treatment Necessary", "Emergency Treatment Advised" highlighted in Amber, or "Emergency Treatment Advised" highlighted in Red.


Merck Veterinary Manual, Chocolate Toxicity Calculator

I entered my Husky's weight of 50lbs, and when I got to 7.25 ounces ingested the calculator went from "No Treatment Necessary" to "Emergency Treatment Advised". So now I know that if my dog ingests over 7 ounces of milk chocolate it will put her in an emergency medical situation. When I switched the Type of Chocolate from milk chocolate to dark chocolate on the calculator, the Emergency Treatment Advised notification came on at only 3.25 ounces of dark chocolate ingested!


Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs


Eating a toxic amount of chocolate can lead to pancreatitis in dogs, and in severe cases it can cause seizures, heart failure, seizures, and even fatal kidney failure, if they ingest enough of it.  

Typical symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are:

Vomiting

☠ Diarrhea

☠ Increased thirst

☠ Excessive urination

☠ Panting

☠ Restlessness

☠ Racing heart rate


Two Stories of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs


While at the emergency Vet with my dog Phoebe last year, a frantic couple brought their dog in on an emergency basis. 

It was Valentines Day and their Labrador Retriever had gotten into a chocolate Valentine heart and eaten most of the candy in it.  

The Vet examined the dog and decided to pump her stomach to get as much of the toxic chocolate out of her stomach as they could. 

This poor couple was so distraught worrying about their dog. It must have been awful for the dog to have to go through the process of having his stomach pumped. But they were lucky, they realized quickly enough what had happened and rushed their dog to the emergency Vet.

If the family hadn't noticed in time that their dog had gotten into the chocolate candy, it might have ended very badly.


Sadly, that wasn't the case for a small dog whose owner had been given a large bar of chocolate by a friend returning from vacation. She placed the chocolate on her bed and left the room.  Her dog found the chocolate and ate it - all of it! By the time the dog's mom realized what had happened and rushed her dog to the Veterinarian, it was too late. Her sweet little dog did not survive ingesting the large amount of toxic chocolate.  It was totally devastating for the woman and her family.

I don't share stories like this to scare you, but to remind you of dangers like these to our dogs. Things we normally don't even think twice about.

Please keep all Easter candy, especially chocolate Easter bunnies, well out of reach of your dog and other pets. The tragedy of dogs being poisoned by chocolate can be avoided if you stay aware and take important dog safety precautions. Inform your children of the dangers of chocolate to dogs too!


There's no need to leave your dog out of fun Easter Activities. For years I've hosted a Dog Easter Egg Hunt for my two dogs!  Sometimes it's just been with my dogs, and other times we've invited neighbor dogs over to participate. It's a super fun and Safe Easter activity for dogs!


The Top Easter Danger to Dogs  Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs,  Chocolate toxicity in dogs
Keep Dogs Safe this Easter!

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Do you have Easter plans that include your dog or other pets?  Tell us about it in the comments, we always Love hearing from you!


PET POISON PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

March is PET POISON PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH, but in our house every month is Pet Poison Awareness Month! We do our best to be aware of products that can be toxic to dogs all year round. It's scary but there are actually many household items that can be toxic to dogs. These are things we see and use every day in our homes, things we don't think twice about.




JOINT SUPPLEMENTS FOR DOGS

My Siberian Husky, Icy, is 13 years old now and has been experiencing some arthritis. Several months ago we noticed she was very stiff when she got up in the morning and after napping or laying down for awhile. She was limping intermittently as well, especially first thing in the morning. I started considering joint supplements for dogs.

Joint Supplements for Dogs, Dog health, Dog care tips, Best joint supplements for dogs, Hip and joint supplements for dogs,
My senior dog was experiencing stiffness and poor mobility