[dena.mirsaeidi]

Hi,

I have a 2 year old male beagle that I neutered at a vet when he was a puppy. It cost a fortune. So I recently got a new beagle puppy (female) and registered her to get spayed by SPCA which is so much cheaper.

When I told her breeder about it, she said that she had heard some unsettling stories about the surgical procedures at SPCA. I don't know what to do. My puppy will be 7 months in 2 weeks and she hasn't gone in heat yet (I also know that her chances at cancer increase if she goes into heat).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with SPCA, or any suggestions? Thanks

Dena

[lange]

Hi. Was the breeder specific or just vague over the whole thing?
I have no experience with them, but like with anything else, a vet or clinic, you have to just go with what makes more sense regardless of what's being told on the grapevine.

The first thing I would do is check online for reviews on the specific SPCA location you would be going to. Check to see if there have been any problems tied specifically to them. Secondly, I don't believe any organization is without it's problems somewhere along it's lines. Specifically with these pro animal organizations who often times step on other groups/peoples toes for the sake of their "good" which then might cause some people/groups (like breeders) to dislike these pro animal groups. Frankly I think ALL groups, breeders, pro-animal, owners, government have their problem as a whole.

So do your own foot work on the specific SPCA location you'll be going to. And if you don't feel comfortable with it, look else where to see if there are other low spay/neuter clinics around.

[dogs rule]

When we adopted our boy Mack from the SPCA, he was 7 months old.
And of course, he had to be neutered before we could bring him home.

Although he was under the care of the shelter, they took him to the local vets to be fixed. Now, I'm not sure if this a common practice, but maybe you could find out where exactly the spaying will take place and what vet will be doing it.
Is there really that much of a price difference? Just wondering.

[dena.mirsaeidi]

well for my male dog that I got neutered, I paid $450. My vet gave me a quote for my female dog of close to $600. The SPCA said they'd do it for $150. But I don't want to risk the well being of my dog to save a few hundred dollars. That's my dilemma. I'll look into that though. Thanks.

[cigwyllt]

I'm in the UK, not the USA so have not experience of the SPCA but unless the breeder has specific worries about them spaying your dog rather than just heresay I would go with the SPCA. Here in the UK there are various schemes that help people on low incomes or in specific areas where there is a problem with stray dogs and although you pay a greatly reduced price the care and quality of the op is the same as it would be anywhere else.

[piratekitty]

I would check around and do some research in your area and call different facilities. Some times clinics offer coupons for new clients also. There are cheaper cost than what you paided for at your vet. I have two sources I use for my dogs. One is a small animal surgerys/ vacinations clinic that all they do is spay/neuter/vacinations, worming. And then a state of the arts vet. The cost are as different as night and day. But they are both very good. If its just a quick health check up with vacinations, and worming I go to the small Animal clinic. It is 1/3 of the cost. If its an unanswered illness or serious injury I go to the vet clinic. Its worth checking into and having these options. Unless you have a dog that has special needs, then cost shouldnt matter.

[bigpawsup]

all depends on the clinic. I've used the one here in Hammond, IN and so have several other people I know with no problems. I know of others that I wouldn't use. Look into the reviews, how many surgeries they do, and see if you can talk to the vet.

[Lara's mom]

I fully agree that it depends on the organization. Before Tim Trow took over and almost destroyed the Toronto Humane Society, there was an excellent spay/neuter clinic, free if the pet was adopted from the THS and low cost if your pet came from elsewhere. The agency is still attempting to recover from the disastrous policies that Trow implemented but, I have every hope that the organization will rebuild and once again be able to offer the excellent services it did before Trow made a mockery of the place.

[lange]

bigpawsup, Kuma's vet is in Hammond too!

[bigpawsup]

You've got to be close to me - I'm Whiting.

[lange]

Oh!! That is too funny! That's where I grew up. Are you originally from Whiting?

[bigpawsup]

I'm a south side Chicago girl but hubby transplanted me about 8 years ago. So I am now a happy hoosier. Small world!

[lange]

I was born in Chicago myself, then my family moved ton IN when I was a year or 2. Small world for sure! very cool@