Planned Pethood

Low-Cost and Subsidized — Spay and Neuter Services

By Kathy McKinney · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2 · Page 13 · 2 min read

Spaying and neutering pets can be expensive, but it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce pet overpopulation, ease the strain on animal shelters, and improve the health of companion animals. Did you know that Santa Cruz County has a mandatory sterilization ordinance that requires pet owners to spay or neuter all dogs or cats over the age of six months, unless the owner has an unaltered animal certification?

While I don’t believe that ordinance is strictly enforced, it’s not a bad idea. Both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties offer resources for pet owners who may need financial assistance for this important procedure. Santa Cruz County. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter will offer 200 low cost and subsidized spay/neuter surgeries at a “planned pethood” clinic, on February 20, 21, and 22. These are available only to Santa Cruz County residents. Appointments are first-come, first-served.

This service is available to healthy dogs and cats between two months and eight years of age, that weigh between two to 80 pounds. Pets with very short noses (pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats), dogs that weigh more than 80 pounds, and pets over age eight should have spay/neuter surgery done by a full-service veterinarian.

Cat owners pay $150, but residents on public assistance pay $75. Dog owners pay $300, but residents on public assistance pay $150. The service includes spay/ neuter surgery, a microchip for permanent identification, and vaccination (FVRCP for cats, DHPP for dogs, and rabies for dogs and cats over four months of age). All dogs over four months of age living in Santa Cruz County must be licensed. The $29 license fee for spayed/neutered dogs is not included.

For more information, visit www. scanimalshelter.org/planned-pethood or call 831-454-7200. Santa Clara County. For residents of the unincorporated area of Santa Clara County, including the Santa Cruz Mountains, spay and neuter services are available on a limited basis through the county’s Animal Service Center. They offer fee waivers for residents on public assistance. The regular fees are $130 for cats, $265 for male dogs, $395 for female dogs under 25 pounds, and $665 for female dogs over 25 pounds. For more information, visit animals.santaclaracounty.

gov, choose the “Services and resources” drop-down menu, and select “Spay and neuter program.” Lifelong Mountain Resident of 54 Years All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified.