Spay & Neuter Services
Asheville Humane Society offers affordable spay and neuter services to the public, enabling pets to live long, healthy lives with their people.
Importance of Spay/Neuter
Spay/Neuter Services
Asheville Humane Society believes that essential veterinary care, like vaccinations and spaying/neutering, should be accessible to everyone with a cat or a dog. To make this possible, we not only have our own veterinary team but also work with local animal welfare groups, veterinary clinics, and our Community Solutions team to help provide these services in Buncombe County.
For spay/neuter surgery, pets must be at least 12 weeks of age and at least 2 ½ pounds.
In female animals, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall, which makes them unable to get pregnant. In male dogs and cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. This prevents the production of sperm, meaning they will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens.
Every pet is completely anesthetized for surgery, which means they are unconscious and cannot feel or move. Every pet is given additional pain medication at the time of surgery.
Spay/Neuter Surgery Fees*
- Female Dog: $175
- Male Dog: $150
- Female Cat: $125
- Male Cat: $100
- Cryptorchid (one or both testicles have not dropped): $20/testicle
- Umbilical hernia repair: $15
*Surgery fee includes a 1-year rabies vaccine, post-op pain medication to go home and an e-collar.
Please read carefully before scheduling! Our availability for public surgery appointments is currently limited, and we prioritize pets and owners who need them most. If you are able to access care from a standard veterinary provider, we kindly request that you seek spay/neuter services through them. Thank you for your understanding!
Vaccine Clinic & Wellness Fees
Dogs:
- DA2PP (distemper/parvo): $15
- Bordetella (kennel cough): $15
- Rabies: $10 (1-year)/$15 (3-year)
- Heartworm Test: $15
Cats:
- FVRCP (distemper/upper respiratory): $15
- Rabies: 1y $10, 3y $15
- Feline Leukemia Test: $20
Dogs & Cats:
- Exam (wellness clinic only): $35
- Microchip: $15
We offer several vaccine and wellness clinics each month to support your pet’s health.
For vaccines and preventatives, visit a vaccine clinic. If your pet needs a non-emergency exam by a veterinarian, choose a wellness clinic.
Wellness clinic appointments are limited, we kindly encourage those with a relationship and access to a regular veterinary practice to schedule through them when possible.
An appointment request must be submitted for review before scheduling surgery. We may schedule qualified clients through our local partners. Spots are limited, and priority is given to Buncombe County residents who submit requests online.
We’re here to make sure every pet in our community gets the care they need, especially for families facing financial challenges. Our low-cost spay/neuter services are meant to help those who truly need them. If you’re in a position to afford surgery at a private veterinary clinic, we encourage you to do so—this helps us keep resources available for neighbors who need extra support. Our partners at the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance provide spay/neuter services as well. Together, we can make vet care accessible for all!
After you’ve submitted an Appointment Request, please be sure to review Before Surgery.
Vaccinations
To help protect your pet from common diseases, we strongly recommend vaccinating them at least two weeks before surgery. Dogs should receive the DA2PPv vaccine (distemper/parvo), and cats should get the FVRCP vaccine (distemper/upper respiratory). While no vaccine is 100% effective, it can reduce the risk of illness and lessen the severity if your pet does get sick. Please consult your veterinarian for more details.
Additionally, North Carolina law requires all pets to have a current rabies vaccination. Please bring proof in the form of a certificate (tags alone are not valid). This can be a paper copy or a clear photo on your phone. If you cannot provide proof, we will administer a rabies vaccine at the time of surgery at no cost.
Food and Water Prior to Surgery
If your pet is over 5 months old, please do not feed them after 10 p.m. the night before surgery. For pets younger than 5 months, you may give them ¼ of their usual food portion the morning of surgery.
Water should always be available until you leave for your appointment—do not restrict access to water.
Before check-in, please walk your dog to allow them to relieve themselves before being kenneled.
Check-in
Check-in for cats and dogs is staggered to allow time for our team to perform a pre-surgical examination. Check-in for dogs is 8 a.m. Check-in for cats is 8:30 a.m.
If your pet is scheduled for surgery on our surgical unit, please arrive at the Asheville Humane Adoption Center at 14 Forever Friend Lane. Park in a numbered spot and follow the instructions on the sign at your parking space. The admission process typically takes about 20 minutes, so please plan to wait in your car during this time.
To keep our surgical schedule on track, we cannot guarantee your pet will be admitted if you arrive more than 20 minutes late for your appointment.
Vehicle Side Check-in
After checking in by text, you will be placed in a queue. A staff member will then verify your contact information, review your pet’s medical history, confirm any additional services requested, and ensure the surgical consent form is signed.
Please stay with your pet in your vehicle until a veterinary assistant comes to retrieve them. All dogs must be on a leash, and all cats must be in their own carrier. If you do not have a carrier, you will need to purchase one for $5.
If the veterinary team is unable to safely handle your pet, you may be asked to pick up early, and your pet may not receive services.
After Check-in
Your pet will be receiving general anesthesia and surgery on the day of your appointment. It’s important that our medical team can reach you at any time throughout the day. Please make sure your phone is available to answer. If we need to contact you before surgery to discuss any concerns and cannot reach you, we will not be able to proceed with the surgery.
Same Day Pick-up
Pets must be picked up between 3:30–4 p.m. from the same location where they were dropped off. Please follow the instructions on the numbered parking space sign. A staff member will provide you with post-operative care instructions and answer any questions you may have.
Due to space limitations, we cannot keep surgical pets overnight. If you are late picking up your pet, a $25 late fee will be charged. Pets not picked up before closing will be transferred to the Buncombe County Animal Shelter.
Payment
We accept cash, debit and credit cards only. Payment is required at the time of pick-up. See Payment Assistance for more information.
Tattoo = Spayed or Neutered
Your pet will receive a small, green tattoo near the incision. This is not another incision—it’s a small mark in the top layers of the skin, filled with tattoo ink and covered with surgical glue. The tattoo helps indicate that your pet has been spayed or neutered, so anyone examining them will know.
Healing
If the above post-operative instructions are followed in full, we will make every reasonable effort to treat any post-operative complications resulting directly from surgery at Asheville Humane Society. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery.
We accept cash, debit, and credit cards only.
Payment is required at the time of pick-up.
Financial Assistance
We offer affordable options for those experiencing financial hardship. If you need support, please indicate this in your Appointment Request Form, and we will reach out with options you may qualify for.
Important: If requesting financial assistance, please be prepared to provide verification.
Paw It Forward
Consider donating to our Paw It Forward program! Your contribution helps more pet families access essential preventive care, such as spay and neuter services.
Asheville Humane Society
River Ridge Shopping Center
ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA)
About Us
In 2023, we launched our Surgical Unit to expand Asheville Humane Society’s life-saving programs and meet the growing needs of our community. This unit helps provide accessible spay and neuter services to more pets in need. In 2025, we also introduced a mobile veterinary team to bring preventative care, like vaccines and wellness check-ups, directly to pets in our community. Our goal is to make veterinary care easier to access in Buncombe County, removing obstacles for pet families and helping them stay together!
We provide surgery for the public on a limited basis and require an appointment. Once your appointment has been made, we will inform you of the location, date, and time of your pet’s surgery. Please click here to request a spay/neuter appointment.