We are offering a low cost spay or neuter monthly clinic to try and address the population crisis in Greater Victoria. Our program is a little different to be able to get access to affordable and high volume services. Read through all the following information and you can apply for the program at the bottom of this page.
Why spay and neuter your cat?
- Prevent unwanted litters and reduce pet overpopulation
- Reduces unwanted behaviours such as roaming, spraying, mounting, persistent meowing
- Decreases the likelihood of fight-related injuries
- May increase life span of pet
- Reduces risks of medical problems, such as certain types of cancer
Each year, unplanned and unwanted litters create millions of homeless pets. Spaying and neutering is one of the steps we can take to get at the root of pet overpopulation, preventing unwanted litters and reducing the number of homeless pets.
Here are the things you need to know:
Clinic days
We will be running the clinic every week to make an impact on our community. At each clinic, they will be doing a lot of surgeries so efficiency is key. Drop off is on Thursday afternoon. Our Vet clinic will do all the wellness exams the night before and safely keep each cat in a seperate condo overnight to fast them and give them anti anxiety meds if needed. Surgeries will take place on Fridays and will return that evening.
Drop off
We will transport your cat to the clinic for free with one of our volunteers. Drop off is in Royal Oak, commonwealth pool parking lot. You should expect to drop your cat with a volunteer, sign some paperwork and then you would be free to go. Drop off is always on a Thursday afternoon at 2:15pm.
If you have multiple cats, either bring them in separate carriers OR provide us with a reliable method of telling them apart.
Cost
Here is what you need to know:
– $150 is the total price and includes:
– Spay or neuter (Spay or neuter is the same price).
– The FVRCP vaccine.
– Microchip
– Flea treatment if needed
– See below for additional options for simple discounted surgeries
Spay Surgery and recovery suits
Boys cat’s can’t use a recovery suit because of where their incision is. All boy cats will come home in a cone/ecollar included in the cost. For girls cats we can offer a nicer option for them to get around.
You can “rent” a recovery suit from us. a recovery suit allows the cat to live normally, use the litter box but will cover her sutures so she can’t open the wound. The way our rental works is that you pay retail cost for the recovery suit (they are $30). Then when you are done with it you can return it to us to be used again and we will refund $25. Your net cost will be $5 for the use of the recovery suit. See the attached image for what they look like. If you never return the suit, we will not issue a refund. They should wear the suit 24 hours a day for 10 days.
If you don’t want to rent a recovery suit your girl cat will come home in a cone/ecollar at no additional charge.
Payment
You have two choices for payment. You can either use a credit card/debit card OR you can etransfer. Once you are approved for the program, we will email you a link to book into a clinic and a payment link.
In order to participate you will need to pay for your services in advance. All payments are non refundable (if you don’t show up there is no refund offered. If you need to cancel with enough notice for us to fill your spot we will refund your money in full).
Medication
Part of the spay and neuter process is a full wellness exam performed by the veterinarian. Lots of times they will identify issues such as fleas, parasites or bigger issues like a heart murmur or dental disease. Because the veterinarian has performed the wellness exam they have established a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). As a result Fantastic Beasts can prescribe the following medication for your cat for up to a year post surgery:
- Capstar – Kills adult fleas. Needs to be repeated every 30 days
- Revolution Plus – Kills adult fleas, Ear mites, ticks, some parasites. Needs to be repeated every 30 days
- Bravecto – Kills adult fleas, Ear mites, ticks, some parasites. Needs to be repeated every 90 days
- Milbamax – Kills roundworms, hookworm and tapeworms. Needs to be repeated if parasite persist
If you want to access any of these medications you have three choices:
- You can ask us to pick up the meds and return with them to Victoria in our regular run. The cost is billed to us and you will have to pay us back at cost for your medication.
- You can call them directly and they will either have it for you to pickup or mail it to you (there is an additional cost for shipping).
- We can bring back a written paper prescription for you to fill online. There are two online pharmacies that we are aware of.
Occasionally during surgery the veterinarian will also note issues that might require medication like antibiotics. In those situations we will send home a prescription for you to fill at a human pharmacy or online.
This medication service is ONLY FOR CATS THAT HAVE BEEN SPAYED OR NEUTERED BY OUR CLINIC. We cannot access these medications on request without a VCPR. This medication service is only available for a year post surgery.
Low income qualifications:
In order to participate you must meet the following low income thresholds:
Discounted Spays and Neuters
Life in BC is tough and hard to afford and we understand. In line with our goal to get as many cats spayed or neutered we are now offering LIMITED spots of discounted spays or neuters. You would go in with the regular program but this is a way to get your cat fixed and still afford your electricity bill. This is meant for people who are ABOVE the income threshold listed but still find the bills are piling up. In order to qualify, fill out an application and send us an email or facebook message with more information. We will approve all of these on a case by case situation. If you get one of these spots the following applies:
– Spay or neuter (Spay or neuter is the same price).
– The FVRCP vaccine.
– Microchip
– Flea treatment if needed
*************************************************************************************
A few things to note:
1. This is for cats only. We don’t have a program for dogs at this time.
2. The net cost to you is $150. However, these surgeries are being funded by a The Itty Bitty Kitty Commitee as a gift to the community with the cost to us being well over this amount. As a result, in order to use the program, we require payment in advance to secure your spot.
3. We travelling Up Island to complete many surgeries at once. As a result we will not have flexibility to change our dates.
5. There is no refund on the appts even if you are unable to attend (there is some flexibility if we have enough time to fill your spot)
6. By submitting an application you agree that the vet will terminate any pregnancy if your cat turns out to be pregnant.
If you want to apply, follow the link here.
