Spay/Neuter Clinic

Pre-Surgical Protocol

Today At The Clinic

Mon, Dec 23rd

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TNR Walk-Ins Monday - Thursday

Prepping Your Pet for Surgery

Pre-Surgical Checklist

Thank you for entrusting us with caring for your pet during their spay/neuter procedure.

If spay/neuter clinic staff have questions regarding your pet’s information, they will e-mail you prior to the appointment. Please note that spay/neuter is an elective surgery – proceeding with any anesthesia or surgery is at the discretion of the attending veterinarian.

Prior To Appointment

Our clinic has recently transitioned to electronic medical records. Please e-sign the surgery consent form that will be emailed to you. A veterinary technician will review your pet’s medical history and optional additional services, such as vaccines and pre-operative bloodwork, with you when you bring your pet to the clinic.

Check For Emails

You should receive a series of reminder emails before your appointment. If you are not receiving the reminder emails and confirmations, please email us so we can confirm the correct email address in your file.

Follow Pre-Surgical Feeding Protocol

Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before surgery; free access to water is ok.

Day of Appointment

Provide Copy of Rabies Verification

If your pet is current on his/her rabies vaccination, please bring a copy of their rabies certificate for verification. Please note that rabies tags are not considered valid proof of vaccination. Due to PA state law, if you cannot show proof of current rabies vaccination, your pet must be vaccinated on the day of surgery. This is an additional fee of $20. Please do not send proof of rabies via email before the appointment. You will be asked on the day of surgery during drop off for the proof of vaccination.

Prepare Payment For Additional Services

Please be prepared to pay for any additional services you request at check-in. If your dog weighs more than the weight range for which you paid a deposit, you will be expected to pay the difference in price. Payment is due at pickup. For pricing and additional services, please visit Services & Pricing.

Preparing For Your Visit

Drop Off Protocol

Please remain in your vehicle and DO NOT remove pets from the vehicle until a staff member has requested you to do so. For the safety of all individuals and animals, no clients are admitted to the York County SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic. Some pets arriving at our facility may be people/pet reactive, so we need everyone to remain in their vehicle for safety purposes.

For Dogs

Drop-off for DOGS is 7:00 - 7:30 a.m.

We request that all dogs be on leashes. We will place a secure slip lead on your dog before it enters the building, and then you will remove and keep any collars and leashes with you.

For Cats

Drop off for owned CATS is 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.

Cats MUST be in their own individual carriers. A staff member will not assist you unless cats are safely secured in carriers. Please do not allow cats to roam free in the vehicle. It is not safe and can cause stress or injury before surgery.

If you are bringing multiple pets in for procedures on the same day, please be mindful of the following:
1) A separate appointment must be scheduled for each pet. 2) A surgery consent form must be signed for each pet. 3) Owned cats need to be in individual carriers. If you do not have enough carriers, we can provide you with a cardboard carrier to go home with for $6 per carrier.

What To Expect

Check-In Process

Park In A Numbered Spot

The Spay/Neuter Clinic is located on the left side of the building. Please park in one of the numbered parking spaces in the lower parking lot and remain in your vehicle. A technician will come to you to start the check-in process.

Review Medical History & Services

Veterinary technicians will review your pet's medical history and confirm the veterinary services you have elected for your pet.

Sign Surgery Consent Form

If you were unable to e-sign the surgical consent form prior to your pet's appointment, you will be asked to e-sign at the time of drop-off.

Due to the volume of daily appointments and limited staff, the check-in and discharge process can take time. Please allow 30 minutes or more for the entire process. Please be courteous and patient with our volunteers and staff as they try to help all clients as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Pre-Surgical Precautions

Important Notes

There are circumstances in which your pet may be declined for surgery, even if you wish to proceed. Each pet receives an exam before surgery, and you will be contacted with any questions or if behavioral or medical concerns are found. Proceeding with any treatment, anesthesia, or surgery is at the discretion of the attending veterinarian.

Aggressive/Reactive Pets: Our staff needs to be able to safely handle each pet. Reactive/aggressive pets may be sent home with oral sedation and rescheduled to a different date and time. If your pet regularly takes medication for anxiety or veterinary visits OR if you have concerns about behavior prior to your visit, please contact us.

Medication Protocol: Some medications can interact with anesthesia. If your pet is currently on medication or has been on any medications (except flea/heartworm preventatives) within 30 days prior to the appointment, please let the clinic know before the day of surgery.

Have A Question?

Pre-Surgical FAQs

For your convenience, we have put together some of the most commonly asked questions about pre-surgical care. Of course, if you have a question not covered here, please feel free to contact us.

Where is the spay/neuter clinic located?

The YCSPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic is located at 3159 Susquehanna Trail North. York, PA 17406. The clinic is located to the left of the building.

My pet is reactive/anxious at the vet’s office. Can they still be seen at the spay/neuter clinic?

If your pet is anxious or reactive, please contact us and we can help guide you on to make the experience go well for your pet.

When can I drop off and pick up my pet?

Drop off for dogs is 7:00 – 7:30 a.m., owned cats drop off is 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Pickup times for owned pets is the same day from 3:00 – 4 p.m.

Spay It Forward

You can help improve the quality of life of animals throughout our community.

Donations to the Spay It Forward fund offset the costs of surgeries and allow us to offer drastically reduced fees for feral cats and York County pit bulls. These services are a vital part of reducing pet overpopulation and managing community cats.

How Can We Help?

Clinic Contact FOrm

If you have a question, need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, or request access to medical records from a previous appointment (proof of rabies vaccination status, bloodwork, etc.), please contact us using the contact form below. To help us better assist you, please provide the pet’s name and the name of the person who scheduled the appointment.