Support Spay/Neuter Without Doing It All

By: United Spay Alliance

The hard truth is, too many veterinary practices are already overbooked and overworked. Even with the best of intentions, they lack the capacity to do much more than they’re already doing without burning themselves out. For those folks who truly want to help support low-cost spay/neuter services – is there any way to contribute, without adding yet another thing to the to-do list? Gratefully, the answer is yes! Through Public-Private Partnerships, it’s possible to make spay/neuter more affordable and accessible for the community, without having to do it all. There are a few different components of a Public-Private Partnership that veterinary practices may consider:

In-Clinic Clinics

One of the easiest things private veterinary practices can do is to open their doors when they might otherwise be closed.  

Private veterinary practices can perform spay and neuter surgeries on days when the practice is normally closed, using their existing resources to implement a revenue-generating program for the business, while serving a portion of the community which may not otherwise have access to veterinary care.  

What’s more, you don’t have to do it all! Once you decide on the day(s) or timeframe your clinic can be available, reach out to a local rescue group and see if they’d be interested in working together. 

This approach has been referred to as the In-Clinic Clinic model. 

Many animal welfare organizations do their work without any brick-and-mortar location to speak of. Others may have the physical space, but not the resources that would make a spay/neuter clinic possible. 

Clinic space may be volunteered freely, or it can be made available to rent for a reasonable fee. This fee would cover the expense of “keeping the lights on” for the day, and possibly offer some small revenue for a day that would have otherwise been entirely unprofitable. 

Better yet, this approach requires minimal startup costs. The clinic and office space are already there. The host veterinarians and veterinary technicians are not required to volunteer their time (but may elect to do so!). Instead, the animal welfare organization takes the  lead in coordinating volunteers, sourcing animals and appointments, and all of the work outside of the surgery suite itself. 

On a day that would otherwise be unproductive – no revenue, no business – the veterinary office is now open for business. Add to that, the veterinary practice is supporting something that generates goodwill and great word-of-mouth within the community. 

Or, rather than opening on a weekend,  you could simply decide to dedicate a specific time each week or each month for this effort. However, it would be time focused on providing spay/neuter surgeries at a low cost. 

These events, even just one day, can accommodate a high volume of surgeries. Whether they are held once a week, once a month, or even just once a year – every little bit counts.

This method has already been applied with success. Ruth Steinberger, founder and executive director of Spay FIRST!, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit, explained that the Public-Private Partnership is a way for veterinarians and volunteer-based organizations to work together to provide services that would otherwise be unavailable locally for low-income households, students, or feral cat caregivers. 

What is the secret to success with the Private Practice Partnership model? “Good communication is key to keeping these programs on track,” Steinberger said, “the veterinarian (or clinic management) and the partnering organization must have all the pieces spelled out, including who is responsible for which tasks.”   

More in-depth information about the Public-Private Partnership and how it works for Spay FIRST! is available at spayfirst.org/private-practice-parnerships. 

Voucher Programs

Another popular example of a Public-Private Partnership is the voucher program, where a client arrives with a voucher from a local organization, to receive services at your practice for a reduced cost. You can read more about voucher programs in our blog post here.

However, to provide that discount, veterinary offices are often subsidizing the cost of surgery themselves. And while helpful for clients, vouchers become difficult for veterinary offices to manage, especially when they are eating into more-profitable business hours.  

However, if you do implement one of these low-cost clinics into your regular business schedule, you can optimize (or even save money) on the voucher program. Rather than accepting vouchers during normal business hours, ask those clients instead to attend one of these pre-planned low-cost clinic days. 

Let’s run the numbers.

Imagine, for example, that a voucher means you are subsidizing 50% of the surgery cost. If that client were to come in during normal business hours, when the cost of a spay surgery is $300, you would be subsidizing $150. However, if that same client came in during a low-cost clinic, where the cost of a spay surgery is just $50, then you would only be subsidizing $25. (And many clients find that they can afford the low-cost services without the additional voucher assistance.)

By grouping these services together, the process becomes more efficient and cost-effective across the board.

So where do you start?

The first step is to decide which model will work best for you and your practice. 

Then, reach out to local animal welfare organizations or shelters. Let them know your clinic may be available, and see if they’d be open to a collaboration to bring affordable spay/neuter to your community. 

Then, work with that group as needed to plan the event! Odds are, their team will take it away, finding all the staff and volunteers that might be needed to make the event possible. 

About the Delivery Systems Series

Across the country, the demand for accessible spay/neuter services continues to outpace available resources. Veterinary workforce shortages, rising costs, and shifts in clinic ownership have only widened the gap.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why the Delivery Systems series explores a range of proven models, offering insights, real-world examples, and key considerations to help veterinary professionals, animal advocates, and community leaders find the right approach for their goals and local needs.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your impact, this series is designed to help you take the next step.

Real People. Real Impact.

Not sure you’re the one for the job? Don’t fret. Everyday people from all backgrounds are stepping up to expand spay/neuter in their community. If they can do it, so can you.