ELIGIBILITY
Who can utilize C-SNIP's reduced-cost spay/neuter services?
Anyone caring for a dog or cat may use C-SNIP, but due to limited time, space and funding we give highest priority to financially challenged owners.

Why doesn't C-SNIP have a means test? Do people who can afford a veterinarian take advantage of you?
Yes, and sometimes this happens. But our experience is that the preponderance of our clients would not have their pets sterilized if it were not for C-SNIP. Even those who can afford a private vet may not value their pets enough to invest in one. We do try to reserve our limited clinic space for those who have no option and encourage those who do to find an affordable veterinarian.

FEES
C-SNIP, a high volume, high-quality, reduced-cost SPAY / NEUTER CLINIC open to those who cannot afford or choose not to use the services of a private veterinarian at this time. Our fees are:

Other services available during surgery:
 

All services are cash only and payment is due at the time of service. We appreciate your adherence to our policy. Operating on a cash only basis and receiving payment at the time of service helps to keep our prices affordable.

Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance
There may be circumstances which prevent you from being able to afford some or all of the spay or neutering cost for your dog or cat. C-SNIP may be able to help with some of the surgery costs in some cases. If you need such assistance or know of someone who does contact the clinic at 616-455-8220 or e-mail info@csnip.org.

How To Make An Appointment
To schedule an appointment, call 616-455-8220 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or you may click here to request an appointment. Due to the demand we are often not able to answer your call and it may be necessary for us to return it. Please allow 2-3 days.

Once you have made your appointment, you will need to bring your pet to the clinic on your scheduled day between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

If the appointment is for your dog, you will be able to pick him/her up at 4 p.m. the SAME day as surgery.

If the appointment for your cat is made on a Monday through Thursday, you will pick him/her up the NEXT morning at 7:30 a.m.

Surgeries are done Monday- Thursday, however the clinic remains open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Feral Cats

Clients with feral cats (cats caught in a trap) are not required to make an appointment but must drop off and pick-up the same times as outlined above for domesticated pets. Due to the number of surgeries per day, please keep in mind only 2 feral cats per client may be brought in without an appointment Monday through Thursday only. Any cat brought in a trap is deemed feral and will be ear tipped.
Bring along a large carrier lined with a towel so that the cat can be put back into it for the trip back home vs the trap. Always line carriers with a towel. This is for the cat's comfort as well as preventing some really urine-soaked cats.  

GENERAL MEDICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PET    

Why do I have to withhold food from my pet who is 6 months or older before surgery?
Food left in the stomach during surgery can be vomited up while the animal is under anesthesia. An unconscious animal can breathe this material into its lungs, causing a potentially fatal pneumonia. Also, improperly fasted animals have a much higher likelihood of vomiting after you get them home. It is, therefore, safest for your animal and less messy for you, if the animal's stomach is empty prior to surgery.

How long will it take my pet to recover?
It depends upon the length of your pet's surgery and their individual metabolism. C-SNIP recommends a minimum of 7 days. Most pets are awake, but disoriented, within 30 minutes following surgery. The disorientation typically subsides before the pet is sent home, though sedation from the pain medication may last for up to 36 hours. Healing of the tissues is in "high-gear" for the next 10 to 14 days. Good nutrition, warmth and rest are especially important at this time. Excessive activity such as running and jumping will stress the sutures and could cause them to break.

How soon can I feed and water my pet after surgery?
Most animals are very excited to be back at home and may eat or drink excessively, causing them to vomit what they just ingested. Pets sent home the same day should not be allowed to eat or drink for at least one hour to allow them to settle down which decreases the chance of vomiting.  At this time only feed them small amounts throughout the evening until bedtime.  Eating habits should return to normal the next day.  Pets sent home the next day after surgery may resume normal eating, but may not be hungry for the next day or so. In some cases your pet might not want to eat or drink until the next day.
 
Will I need to have the stitches removed?
All stitches dissolve internally, unless you are notified otherwise. No further check-up is necessary.

Will I need to give my pet pain medication?
Pain medication is administered by the veterinarian at the clinic immediately following surgery and will last for the next 12 to 36 hours.  Nothing further should be given to the pet.

Will there be any swelling at the incision site after surgery?
A small amount of swelling is normal as the implanted suture material dissolves. Some animals may react more than others to the suture and develop a firm lump or lumps near the incision, which goes away over time, sometimes up to six weeks.

Will the incision bleed after surgery?
A small amount of blood seepage from skin blood vessels is normal.

Should I bandage or put an antibiotic on the incision?
NO. An animal's first instinct is to lick or chew off anything that is put on them. It is best not to draw additional attention to the incision.

My Aftercare Instructions say to watch for listlessness. What does that mean?
It is normal for your pet to be quieter and have a smaller appetite for a few days after surgery. Not wanting to move around at all and not wanting to eat anything should be reported to the emergency technician.

Does C-SNIP sterilize pregnant dogs and cats?
Yes, but there is a slight, added risk with the procedure. All animals that have obvious enlargement of the abdomen or mammary glands which can interfere with the surgery with some excessive bleeding.    

Can you spay a dog while she is in heat?
Yes, but because of the increase in blood loss and probable longer recovery time, we prefer to wait 2-3 weeks until she is out of heat.

Do you spay cats that are in heat?
Yes. There is a high risk that she will become pregnant if we wait until she is out of heat.

How often do dogs and cats come into heat and how long does it last?
Most dogs experience a heat cycle every 6 months. The cycle lasts about 3 weeks. Cats experience the heat cycle an average of 3 times a year, although it can occur more frequently, particularly in the spring and summer. The cycle lasts 3 weeks. If cats are bred, they are almost assured of becoming pregnant.

Does C-SNIP give vaccinations or declaw cats?
Currently we only offer rabies vaccinations and microchipping.

Will my cat stop spraying urine after being sterilized?
The longer the spraying behavior goes on, the less likely that sterilization alone will completely stop it. Additional behavior training and medications are sometimes necessary. However, eliminating the sex hormones through sterilization is the first step to eliminating undesirable behavior.

Will my pet calm down after being sterilized?
The drive to find a mate is eliminated and sterilization will help make your pet more trainable and relaxed.

PRE-OPERATIVE GUIDELINES FOR YOUR PET
 
Prior to Surgery, please review the following:

Pre-Operative Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

1. Check-in on the date of you pet’s surgery begins at 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. If you have not checked in at the clinic by 8:30 a.m. on the date of your cat or dog’s surgery, we may replace your appointment with walk-in clients or from our on-call list. After 8:30 a.m.we will accept your cat or dog only if we have openings in the surgery schedule on that day. Please call us at 616-455-8220 x102 if you are unable to check-in by this time.
   
   
2. Please leave your pet in your car until you have checked in with us.  You will be asked to read and sign the Intake/Consent form for each pet. Payment is required at the time of check-in unless other arrangements have been made during the scheduling of your appointment .  We accept cash or money orders ONLY.  Arrangements for other types of payment must be approved prior to your scheduled date.
   
   
3. All cats brought to C-SNIP must be in a carrier. Taped boxes are not acceptable. Please understand we are checking in 65-75 other patients, including dogs; your cat will feel and be safest in a secure carrier. We suggest covering cage-style carriers or traps with sheets or towels.
   
   
4. We will label and keep the carrier at the clinic; your cat will be presented to you at patient discharge in his/her carrier. If you are bringing multiple cats for surgery, it is recommended you bring one carrier per cat for discharge. Cats may be together in one carrier for check-in. but may have to be separated to go home individually. Corrugated pet carriers are sold at C-SNIP for $4.00.  Please let us know if you will need one prior to pick-up.
   
   
5. If you are bringing a feral cat for surgery, please cover the trap with a sheet or blanket and bring a large carrier for postoperative recovery; see trapping and neutering instructions.
   
   
6. Dogs brought to C-SNIP must be on a leash or in a carrier.

POST OPERATIVE CARE FOR YOUR PET

After surgery please review the following

Post-Operative Care for your pet

1. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and warm.

2. No baths during the recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats kept indoors. Keep pet quiet.
   
   
3. Check the incision site twice daily. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. A firm knot or lump at the incision site is normal. Do not allow pet to lick or chew at the incision. If this occurs, to prevent the licking, an Elizabethan collar must be applied.
   
   
4. Lethargy, appetite loss, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, coughing COULD occur up to 24 hours following surgery. Symptoms lasting more than 24 hours should be followed up by contacting C-SNIP for a recheck.
   
   
5. Your pet received a green tattoo on their abdomen. This is not an incision.
   
   
6. C-SNIP will treat at our clinic, at no additional cost, other than take home post-operative medications, any complications resulting from the surgery.
   
   
7. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from client’s failure to follow post-op instructions, or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously vaccinated.
   
   
8. Your regular veterinarian must address any illness or injury that is not a direct result of surgery, but always call C-SNIP first to discuss.
   
   
9. If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call this office Monday through Friday 616-455-8220 x103 and we will return your call. You do not need an appointment for a re-check but must bring you pet to the clinic between 9AM and 4PM Monday through Friday.
   
   
10. If there is an emergency after hours, please call the clinic at (616) 455-8220 and you will be given our emergency number.

 POST OPERATIVE CARE FOR FERAL CATS

Once back home, males can be released in approximately 12-24 hours. Females, however, should be allowed to rehab for a day or two before releasing them. Set up a large cage with a litter box, food and water. Then place the carrier inside with the door facing backward. This way, the feral cat won't have to make eye contact with you. Carefully open the door to the small carrier and use a wire tie to hold the door open so that it's always a place for the cat to hide when it's feeling uneasy. This carrier will be what you use to take the cat back to the location where you will return her. So definitely, keep the small carrier in the cage. With the towel inside, she will find it a comfortable place to hunker down till you can take her back to where you found her and hum the tune of “Born Free” as you open the door. For further information go to www.carolsferals.com. 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

While your pet is anesthetized and prepped for surgery, their  nails are trimmed and ears cleaned if needed.  If there are other concerns the surgery staff has about your pet it will be disclosed on your pet’s discharge information with a recommendation to see your own veterinarian for further treatment and services.

MICROCHIP
Each year millions of lost and abandoned animals are taken in by animal welfare organizations across North America; of these animals only 14% of the dogs and 4% of the cats (estimated figures) are ever returned home. The major reason for failing to re-unite a lost pet with its owner is because the pets are unidentifiable. Microchipping offers pet owners the only truly permanent method of identifying your pet and linking the animal back to you, the owner. If you want to improve your pet’s chances of getting home in a lost pet emergency – microchipping is your best option.

My dog always wears a collar and tags so why do I need to microchip?
Collars and tags may be removed or get lost and tattooing can become illegible over time - Microchipping is the only truly permanent method of identifying your dog.

I have a cat – should I microchip her?
Cats are naturally curious and unpredictable, and in the event that they are drawn away from the safety of their home you need to give them the best chance of getting home safely. In the event that your cat does get lost a microchip registered with 24PetWatch is your cat’s best chance of getting home.

Does microchipping hurt the animal?
Animal microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are typically implanted just beneath the skin between the shoulder blades by a veterinarian or trained member of an animal welfare organization. The process is similar to a vaccination and most animals do not react when the microchip is implanted. Once implanted the microchip remains just beneath the skin for the rest of the animal’s lifetime, a permanent form of identification.

RABIES VACCINE
C-SNIP will provide a 1 year rabies vaccine, tag and certificate. It is recommended you see your own veterinarian for additional vaccines needed to protect your pet to help ensure a healthy, long life.

FREE TRAP RENTAL
Feeding cats you can't catch? Humane traps are available to rent at no charge (with a $50 refundable deposit) to trap feral cats as part of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). The clinic will obtain your contact information and $50.00 deposit, which will be refunded upon return of the trap on time, clean, and in good condition. Clinic staff will be glad to show you how to set the trap and discuss some tips for trapping.

616-455-8220 info@csnip.org