by Raye Hodgson

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: December 06, 2008

It may surprise you to learn just how many options exist for getting help with spaying or neutering your pet. Though economic times are changing rapidly, for the worse, there are still pet philanthropists with resources to help control domestic animal populations.

Many of the resources available are local, and some are not advertised.

One of the best points of contact is the veterinary office. They work with organizations and individuals who care enough to fund spaying and neutering. You can find out from them if there is help and how to apply for it. Some veterinary hospitals have their own form of assistance by using a sliding scale to calculate what they will charge you. The more generous the practice, the longer you may have to wait to have the pet spayed or neutered, but if the pet can be kept away from members of the opposite sex in the meantime, the wait could be worth it.

Other points of contact are other pet owners in your neighborhood, pet food store owners and staff, family members and coworkers. People who have been through the experience, especially recently, may be able to direct you to a good veterinarian and a good source of financial help.

Since the 1970's, hundreds of local spay and neuter assistance organizations have formed. Often they will call themselves animal welfare organizations, because their services go beyond spay and neuter grants.

The high-tech way to begin to find resources available in your area is to use an internet search engine with some combinations of the following key words and phrases: spay, neuter, "animal welfare," no-cost," the name of your state or county, "fee waiver." You can probably think of a few more, once you get started.

If you are looking for a new pet and are not sure you can afford spaying or neutering, remember that many pet adoption organizations provide the service as part of their mission, and you may pay only a nominal fee when adopting the animal because donations to the organization cover the rest of the actual expenses.

One source of financial assistance some may not think of is family and friends. You may know someone who is very concerned about animal overpopulation who would happily assist you with the expense, if there is no other option available to you.

The only way to identify and secure the help you need is to ask. Ask everyone you know for information, and once you find organizations or individuals who are able to help, ask for the help.

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