Pre-Operative Instructions

The drop off time at the clinic is 8:00am to 9:00am. At 9:00am, we lock the doors to begin our surgeries. We currently will only allow one client in our lobby at a time, so please line up outside at a safe distance from one another, and enter as the previous client leaves. We expect everyone to be wearing a face mask.

Do not allow your pet to have any food after midnight the night before surgery. Water is OK.

Cats must be brought to us in separate carriers, labeled with the animal’s name and the owner’s last name. We can only accept cats in hard-sided plastic type carriers at this time. No cardboard or canvas/cloth type carriers allowed. (This is a precaution due to the Coronavirus so that we can wipe down carriers.) Dogs may be brought in on a leash or in a carrier.

We do spay and neuter feral/wild cats. Unless you know their gender, they will be scheduled as a female, and if it turns out to be a male, we will reimburse you the difference. They may be brought in a humane trap, but a hard-sided carrier must also be brought for after surgery. If you bring them to us in a carrier, it must be a hard-sided carrier that we can remove the lid from in order to safely handle them.

Animals must be in good health. If your pet is showing any signs of illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, vomiting or diarrhea they will be declined for surgery. Please see your primary care veterinarian for care first, and then re-schedule when your pet is well. It is not safe for them to undergo anesthesia if they are sick, and we do not want to share what they have with any other pets.

If your cat is lactating, please re-schedule their appointment. They will be declined for surgery if they have any milk in their glands. Keep in mind that it typically takes 2 weeks for the queen to dry up once the kittens have been separated from her.

As mentioned under services, there is an additional fee if your cat is pregnant, but if she is too far along, she will be declined for surgery. If her belly is obviously enlarged to you, please reschedule her surgery.

If you have vaccination records, please bring them with you. A rabies vaccination is required by Virginia law. If your pet has not previously been vaccinated or lacks proof of vaccination, you will have to purchase a rabies vaccine the day of surgery.

Pets go home the same day, and pick up time is between 4pm and 5pm. Once again, only one client in our lobby at a time, so you may need to line up outside. And, please wear a face mask.