Cat Services

Additional Services (Only Available at the Time of Surgery)​

• Test for Feline Leukemia/Feline Aids  $35
• Feline Leukemia Vaccine $20
• Microchip $25
• Open Umbilical Hernia Repair  $35
• Cryptorchid (Undescended Testicles) up to $150

*A $100 deposit will be required to book appointments for friendly cats and kittens. This deposit will be applied to the total due on the day of your appointment, it will be refunded with 48 hours advanced notice of cancellation. Clients booking appointments online will be asked to enter their credit/debit information online to complete the online booking process.

If patients do not show up for their appointment and owners have not reached out to us at least 48 hours in advance, the deposit will be forfeited and used as a donation to help other animals in need.

• Your cat must be 3 lbs/12 weeks of age to be spayed/neutered.
• For any pet over the age of 6 we recommend pre-surgical bloodwork. We REQUIRE it for any patient over the age of 8. The bloodwork to be completed at your full service vet hospital is:
  • A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel (Chem panel).
  • This blood work checks organ function, particularly that of the liver and kidneys. The liver and kidneys process and eliminate medications such as anesthesia from the body, so if these organs are not functioning properly, there could be complications during anesthesia.
  • We will only schedule your pet's appointment after blood work has been sent to us (via fax or email) and reviewed by our veterinarian.
• Your cat will receive a brief physical exam prior to surgery. Our veterinarian reserves the right to refuse services if your pet shows signs of illness.
• All pets current with their Rabies Vaccine must be accompanied by a current rabies certificate at the time of surgery admission or a rabies vaccination will be given, at no extra charge.
• Appointments are required and payment is due at the time of admission. We accept cash, credit card and debit cards.
• All tame cats must come in a HARD-SIDED, SECURE CAT CARRIER. Please ensure that all latches and parts of the carrier are in place and cannot break open for your pet's safety. CATS NOT IN A HARD CARRIER WILL BE DECLINED. We recommend checking with friends/co-workers/family members or neighbors to loan this type of carrier for your pet's stay if you do not have access to one. Here's a link to a secure carrier we recommend should you need to purchase one.

​Discount Programs for Cats

​​​Low Income Voucher Program- The Dept. of Agriculture . Please visit their website directly for all updated information regarding the States Program. Both English and Spanish applications found by scrolling down to "LOW-INCOME PROGRAM." Please follow directions on the application for where to send it once completed. For questions regarding this program, please contact: agr.apcp@ct.gov or by calling 860-713-2507.

Preparing Your Cat for Surgery​

Drop-Off & Pick Up Times:
Cat Drop Off is at 7:45am - CLICK HERE for Drop-Off Instructions

Cat Pick Up is at 4:45pm - CLICK HERE for Pick Up Instructions

Our lobby is closed due to COVID. Please wait in your car and call the office if someone does not immediately come to assist you.

Due to the high volume of animals we see every day, dropoff and pickup times are strict. A $25 late fee will be applied if you are over 10 minutes late to your appointment or to the designated 4:45 pick up time. We will not accommodate animals that are 30+ minutes late. This will be considered a no-show, and your deposit will be kept as a donation for other animals in need.

Pre-Surgical Bloodwork:  
Pre-surgical blood work is always a good idea for animals under going anesthesia. Our veterinarian recommends pre-surgical blood work for all adult cats (4 years and old) prior to surgery. We require pre-surgical blood work for cats 8 years and older.

Vaccinations:
​​Our vets recommend that pets are fully vaccinated from communicable diseases (distemper, parvo, and upper respiratory diseases) prior to surgery. Please consult your regular veterinarian for further information. In addition, Connecticut state law requires a current rabies vaccination for pets over 12 weeks of age. If your pet has a current rabies vaccination, please email or fax proof in the form of a certificate (tags are not acceptable forms of proof). Otherwise we will to administer one at the time of surgery (there is no charge for rabies and distemper vaccines).

Keep Your Pet Indoors the Night Before Surgery:
Pets must be kept indoors or confined the night before surgery. This ensures that they are not eating outside, which could potentially be dangerous during surgery.

Feeding Instructions:
Patients may have a quarter of the amount of their usual breakfast on the day of surgery (animals four months or younger may have half of their usual food intake). We want them to have this small meal to settle their stomachs, but please do not give more than a quarter of their regular meal. All patients can have water up until the time of surgery.

Method of Payment:
During this time, all payments will be done electronically or over the phone via credit or debit. You can call to prepay in full at any time by giving us a call or emailing us. We understand that some clients only have cash and will accept the morning of surgery on a case by case basis. Please inform us ahead of time if you must pay with cash.

About the Surgery:
In female animals, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall, which makes them unable to get pregnant.

In male cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. This prevents the production of sperm, meaning they will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens.

Our patients are completely asleep during surgery, and are unable to feel or move.

All Animals Receive a Small, Green Tattoo:
Your pet will receive a small, green tattoo near the incision site. This tattoo is not another incision—it’s just a small score in the top layers of the skin filled with tattoo ink and covered with surgical glue. The tattoo will ensure that anyone examining your animal will know they have been sterilized.

Inclement Weather:
POA SPAY values our human and pet clients and will make every effort to remain open during periods of inclement weather. However, the safety of our clients, their pets, our staff, and volunteers is of utmost concern to us. On rare occasions, POA SPAY may close its clinic when weather creates unsafe travel conditions. If POA SPAY closes due to weather, we will attempt to let clients know as far in advance as the situation allows by telephone. We will also post the closings on POA SPAY’s Facebook page and make every attempt to contact those clients with scheduled appointments. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause but we thank you for your business and support.

After Surgery for Your Cat

Pick up time for cats is 4:45 pm.  Late arrival will result in a late fee charge.

Please read the instruction sheet you receive when you pick up your pet; it has specific information about your pet’s surgery. If you have questions, call us at 860-206-7922. For your pet’s safety, please read and follow these instructions. We cannot be held responsible for a client’s failure to follow these instructions:

• NO running, jumping, playing or strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days after surgery.  Pets should stay indoors for 10 days and be kept quiet.  Keep in a safe room to make sure he/she is doing well – he/she may still be wobbly - cats should remain in carriers for 2 hours when first arriving home. Keep small children away.
• Keep your pet dry for 7 to 10 days.  No baths or jumping in sinks!
• Check the incision twice a day.  What you see on the day you pick up your pet from our clinic is normal…there should be no discharge or swelling and minimal redness.  DO NOT let your animal lick the incision area. We recommend purchasing an e-collar (cone) at Petco or PetSmart to prevent licking the incision. Unless otherwise noted, there are no stitches to remove.  Your pet has stitches under the skin, which will dissolve over the next few months. Green tattoo ink has been applied to the abdomen of all animals. If your pet should ever become stray, lost, impounded or taken into rescue, an animal welfare professional or veterinarian will recognize this tattoo & know your animal is spayed or neutered.
• Your pet may have food and water this evening; however, he/she may not have a full appetite until tomorrow, so a smaller portion is recommended. Do not change his/her diet or give table scraps as this can mask post-op complications.
• DO NOT give your pet any people medicines such as aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.  Your pet has received pain medication at the clinic. If pain medication was sent home with your pet give only as directed and only if your pet is eating and drinking.
• Some animals are 100% right away while others recover more slowly. Lethargy lasting more than 48 hours after surgery, diarrhea or vomiting are not normal and you should call us during business hours or call your own vet.

Please call us if you pet has an issue after surgery. If your pet has an emergency related to the surgery after hours, or you cannot reach POA SPAY!, call the nearest 24-hour emergency vet for instructions. We have provided a listing of some of these for you. There may be others located closer to you.

Veterinary Specialists of Connecticut

993 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117

(860) 236-3273

​Bolton Veterinary Hospital

222 Boston Turnpike, Bolton, CT

(860) 646-6134

Veterinary Emergency Center

135 Dowd Ave., Canton, CT

(860) 693-6992

Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center

730 Randolph Rd., Middletown, CT

(860) 347-8387

Windsor Animal Hospital

955 Kennedy Rd., Windsor, CT 06095

(860) 688-8400

VCA Shoreline

895 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton, CT

(203) 929-8600