Mercy Crusade

Questions / Appointments
Call us now: 1-805-278-4433

Donations

Mercy Crusade is the only non-profit affordable veterinary clinic in the area. Our struggle to cover extensive medical costs makes your tax-deductable donation vital. See how you can help!

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Vaccine Clinic

Walk-In Vaccine Clinic

Bring your pet(s) in for affordable Canine and Feline vaccinations, OTC flea control, deworming, nail trims & Home Again Microchips. No Appointment Needed!

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Medical Service

By Appointment Only!

Mercy Crusade is now offering additional veterinary medical, dental and surgical services! Exam $50

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Spay/Neuter

By Appointment Only!

This is the best non-lethal answer to reducing pet overpopulation.

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Spay & Neuter Information:

SPAY & NEUTER SURGERIES ARE MONDAY - WEDNESDAY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
There is no extra charge for pets pregnant or in heat. Financial assistance is available subject to funding. Visit the Herman Bennett Foundation to see if you qualify.

Procedures for healthy small dogs (up to 7 yrs) / large dogs (up to 5 yrs) and cats are available by appointment Monday through Wednesday and are performed by experienced licensed veterinarians. At the time of the spay/neuter procedure, low cost vaccinations, deworming and Home Again microchips can be administered for an additional fee. Please allow yourself about 30 minutes to fill out paperwork at time of drop off.


Mercy Crusade does not perform low cost spay/neuter procedures on the following pets:
  • - Exotic Felines: Bengal / Maine Coon
  • - Pets who are in poor health
  • - Pets over 7 years of age
  • - Pets who are obese or emaciated
  • - English or French bulldogs or mixes with these breeds
  • - Doberman Pinchers unless tested for Von Willebrand Disease
  • - Female dogs weighing more than 100 pounds
  • - Male dogs weighing more than 100 pound
  • - Male dogs with both testicles that have not descended (cryptorchid).
    * If your dog has one testicle that has not descended, we may be able to do the surgery.
    If such a condition exists and the dog is accepted for surgery, additional fees will apply.
    We are able to perform umbilical hernia repairs (additional fees will apply).

    Non qualifying spay/neuter clinic pets can be seen on our medical side for treatment, spay/neuter, etc.
  • VIEW NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS

  • • Keep your pet inside your home.
    • No food after 10:00 p.m. (including table scraps, treats, bones, etc.)
    • It is okay to give them water.


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  • VIEW DAY OF SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS

  • • Please give your dog a good walk prior to arrival, or make sure that your dog  relieves himself/herself.
    • Please allow enough time for checking in your pet. (Normally 10 to 30 minutes)
    • Please let us know if your dog has exhibited any signs of illness, has had a recent decrease in appetite or is on any medication.
    • All dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in a carrier with your name on the carrier.
    • If your pet needs a microchip, vaccinations or nail trim, we can administer them on the day of surgery at a reasonable charge.
    • When you return to pick up your pet, you will be given both verbal and written instructions for post-surgery care.
    • Be prepared to have your pet ride home in the car or cab of the truck with you. All pets will still be under the effects of anesthesia.

    Abandoning your pet is against the law. If you do not pick up your pet or make alternate arrangements for having your pet picked up, Mercy Crusade has the right to surrender your pet to a municipal animal shelter of its choice. Once your pet has been abandoned, you relinquish all ownership rights and will be held responsible for any and all medical costs including boarding expenses. If you abandon your pet, it will be reported to the appropriate authority and you will be subjected to all laws that may apply and liable for all court costs incurred as a result of abandoning your pet.


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  • VIEW PRE-SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS:

  • • You must have an appointment. Please call 805-278-4433 to schedule your pet for surgery.
    • You must be on time, no later than 8:00 a.m. for check-in.
    • Forms of Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
    • Your pet will be ready to go home on the same day, between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.


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  • VIEW POST-SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS

  • Your pet has just undergone general anesthesia and surgical sterilization. For the safety and well-being of your pet, we recommend that the following post surgical instructions be followed with care.

    • Be prepared to have pet(s) recover inside your home. Pets may still be under the effects of anesthesia. Remember your pet just had surgery!
    • Whenever anesthesia is used stomach upset may occur. To avoid this, we recommend that you restrict the amount of food and water your pet has access to. We suggest small portions of water and food three hours after you arrive home. If your pet should vomit, pull the food away and do not feed until the following morning.
    • Restrict your pet's activity for the next ten days. Excess running and jumping may pull and tear sutures causing post operative surgical complications such as swelling and opening of the incision. In neuter surgeries, the scrotal sac is not removed. In adult dogs this will decrease in size over time.
    • You should check your pet's incision twice daily until completely healed.
    • No bathing or trips to the beach for ten days. You want to keep the incision area completely dry. Incisions that get wet take longer to heal.
    • Watch and make sure your pet is not licking the incision area. If persistent and uncontrolled licking occurs, E-collars are given to every pet after surgery and it is recommended that they be used.
    • Our clinic uses absorbable sutures so there is no need for suture removal.

    Recognizing Problems:

    • Pain, swelling, bleeding or discharge from surgical site (occasionally there will be non-painful swelling due to possible suture reaction or the body's natural reaction to foreign material; this is normal).
    • Persistent vomiting (more than 24 hours after surgery).
    • Tearing of sutures and gaping of surgical site.
    • Persistent licking.
    • Not eating or lethargic (more than 36 hours after surgery).


  • VIEW SPAY & NEUTER SURGICAL PROCEDURES

  • Procedure for Dog /Cat Spay:

    • Incision into skin, midline of abdomen just below the umbilicus.
    • Incision into abdominal wall to gain access to the abdominal cavity.
    • Locate right side of uterus and follow it to the right ovary.
    • Suture closed blood vessels above the right ovary and cut the vessels to allow complete removal of the ovary and uterine horn with fallopian tube.
    • Check the sutured blood vessels for bleeding and release the sutured end back into the abdomen.
    • Follow right side of uterus to left side of uterus and left ovary.
    • Suture closed blood vessels above the left ovary and cut the vessels to allow complete removal of the ovary and uterine horn with fallopian tube.
    • Check the sutured blood vessels for bleeding and release the sutured end back into the abdomen.
    • Exteriorize the uterine body (where the two sides of the uterus come together) by gently pulling the two sides of the uterus towards the rear end of the cat/dog.
    • Suture closed the uterine body and its blood supply and cut the vessels, before the cervix, to allow complete removal of the ovaries and uterus.
    • Check the sutured blood vessels for bleeding and release the sutured end back into the abdomen.
    • Close the abdominal wall using absorbable sutures.
    • Close the subcutaneous and skin layers with absorbable sutures.

    Procedure for Dog Neuter:

    • Incision into skin just before the scrotum.
    • Right testicle exposed.
    • Suture closed the blood vessels of the spermatic cord (above the testicle) and cut vessels to allow complete removal of testicle.
    • Check the sutured blood vessels for bleeding and release the sutured end into the incision.
    • Left testicle exposed through the same incision.
    • Suture closed the blood vessels of the spermatic cord (above the testicle) and cut vessels to allow complete removal of testicle.
    • Check the sutured blood vessels for bleeding and release the sutured end into the incision.
    • Close skin layer with absorbable sutures.

    Procedure for Cat Neuter:

    • Incision into skin of the right scrotum.
    • Right testicle exposed.
    • Tie off the blood vessels of the spermatic cord (above the testicle) by knotting the spermatic cord on itself and cut vessels to allow complete removal of testicle.
    • Check the blood vessels for bleeding and release the knotted end into the incision.
    • Incision into skin of the left scrotum.
    • Left testicle exposed.
    • Tie off the blood vessels of the spermatic cord (above the testicle) by knotting the spermatic cord on itself and cut vessels to allow complete removal of testicle.
    • Check the blood vessels for bleeding and release the knotted end into the incision.
    • No suturing of skin layers.


  • TOP 10 REASONS TO SPAY/NEUTER

  • • Reduces risk or eliminates certain types of cancers (prostate, testicular, mammary, ovarian & uterine).
    • Reduces desire to roam. (7 out of 10 dogs hit by car are unaltered males).
    • Eliminates risk of deadly uterine infection pyometria.
    • Reduces number of animals entering shelters.
    • Reduce animal over-population.
    • Reduces marking territory.
    • Increases life expectancy 3-5 years.
    • Licensing fees are less expensive.
    • Helps reduce risk of infectious diseases.
    • Eliminates heat cycles.


  • QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

  • Are the Veterinarians & Staff experienced?
    The Veterinarians and Staff have been highly trained in spay and neuter surgery. The clinic has performed over 70,000 surgeries. Our goal is to help make spay/neuter affordable to everyone. All donations are welcome to help us continue this mission.

    How old does my pet need to be in order to be spayed or neutered?
    The age requirement for surgery is 4 months and over 2 lbs. Most health and behavioral benefits occur if altered before 6 months of age.

    How frequently will my dog or cat go into heat?
    Dogs go into heat about every 6 months and last about 2 weeks. Cats seem to be in heat all the time. They generally start at 6 months of age.

    Can litter mates get pregnant?
    Yes. They can create their own litters. You don't want that to happen.

    How long after my dog has puppies can she be spayed?
    As soon as the litter is weaned. Usually about 4 months after birth.

    Does my pet have to be current on its vaccines in order to have surgery?
    It is recommended that the vaccines be current but it is not required.

    Will my pet's behavior change after surgery?
    Your pet's behavior will not change except that male dogs & cats will be less likely to act aggressive, roam and females will no longer go into heat.


SPAY & NEUTER FEES:

All fees are subject to change without notice.

FELINE SURGERIES
Male-Neuter: $85.00 Female-Spay: $95.00

*Price includes anti-lick collar for feline surgeries.

CANINE SURGERIES
Weight: Males: Females:
Small: 2 to 22 lbs $165 $175
Medium: 23 to 40 lbs $185 $195
Large: 41 to 60 lbs $215 $225
Extra Large: 61 to 80 lbs $255 $265
Giant: 81 to 100 lbs $305 $ Call for Pricing

*Price includes 3-5 days of anti-inflammatory/pain medication and anti-lick collar for canine surgeries.

Check-in time: 7 am - 8 am (must reschedule if past 8 am)
Check-out time: 3 pm - 4:30 pm
$100 charge for any animal left overnight.
$50 charge if picked up after 5 pm.