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Promoting affordable, accessible, and
timely spay/neuter services nationwide.
   

Spay/Neuter Training Resources

This page serves as a clearinghouse for spay/neuter training resources and opportunities for veterinary professionals around the country. 

Do you have a program you would like to include? Let us know! Send an email to info@unitedspayalliance.org.

HQHVSN Wet Labs with United Spay Alliance

Our hands-on training program gives veterinarians the opportunity to practice safe, efficient spay/neuter techniques under expert guidance, helping expand access to high-quality care nationwide. Learn more here.

Other Hands-On Training Programs

Veterinary professionals may also find training support and resources with the following organizations:

*Open to out-of-state vets who are licensed and in good standing.

Educational Resources & Training Videos

Externships for Veterinary Students

Many animal shelters, humane societies, and clinics would be glad to accommodate a veterinary student looking for an externship opportunity in HQHVSN services. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask if there is a way for you to help in your local area!

Here are some other opportunities to consider:

For Veterinarians Licensed Outside the United States

We are frequently contacted by veterinarians who hold a license outside the United States and are either working toward their U.S. license or waiting to take the foreign veterinary equivalency exam. We wish we had better news: legal requirements in the United States make it very difficult for non-U.S.-licensed veterinarians to participate in hands-on surgery training, and we are not aware of any programs that can accommodate you at this time.

That said, here are some options to consider while you work toward licensure:

  • Build your knowledge base. Our Educational Resources & Training Videos section (above) is open to everyone. Familiarizing yourself with HQHVSN techniques now will help you hit the ground running once you are licensed.
  • Explore international opportunities. Organizations like Planned Pethood International and Spay Global operate outside the United States and may welcome experienced veterinary professionals for training and service work abroad.
  • Explore reservation-based veterinary programs. Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) (also listed above) works on Native American reservations and in underserved rural communities. Rules, regulations, and licensure requirements on tribal lands often vary, which may open doors that aren’t available elsewhere, making these programs a genuinely promising avenue for internationally trained veterinarians. Other organizations and clinics work in similar settings; searching for veterinary programs operating on tribal lands in your region may surface additional options. We encourage you to reach out directly to ask about your specific situation.
  • Look into your nearest veterinary school. Some U.S. veterinary schools offer observer or auditor opportunities that may not require a U.S. license. It’s worth a direct inquiry.
  • Work toward your U.S. equivalency. The AVMA’s ECFVG program and the PAVE program are the two main pathways for foreign-trained veterinarians to achieve U.S. licensure. We hope to see you in a wet lab soon!

We know this is a frustrating situation, and we’ll continue to update this page as new pathways emerge. If you are aware of options we haven’t listed, please let us know at info@unitedspayalliance.org.

Network with Peers and Join the Conversation

Experienced HQHVSN surgeons are encouraged to join the Spay Vet Net, a dedicated platform for veterinarians to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Other platforms for networking include: