Spay & Neuter Financial Aid
We believe that cost should never be a barrier to responsible pet care. Spaying and neutering helps pets live healthier lives, reduces unwanted litters, and supports a more sustainable, compassionate community for animals.
We understand that veterinary costs have increased, and access to affordable care can be limited - especially in rural counties like Wahkiakum. Our Financial Aid program is designed to help bridge that gap so more pets can receive this essential care. The amount of financial assistance we provide is outlined in the table.
You have options for your pet’s care:
Visit your preferred veterinarian and apply WAAG financial aid toward the cost of surgery.
Book an appointment through the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (Longview & Vancouver) and have the cost fully covered.
Eligibility requirements:
Must be a Wahkiakum County resident.
Limited to 2 vouchers per household, per year.
Financial aid may only be applied to the cost of the surgery and cannot be used for deposits or additional services.
While we do not verify income eligibility, financial aid is intended for pet owners who would not otherwise be able to afford these services. We kindly ask that these resources be reserved for those who need them most.
Application Process
Instructions for applying for financial aid are available in the sections below. Please review them carefully before applying, as the steps differ depending on whether you plan to use your own veterinarian or the Humane Society.
IMPORTANT! WAAG may not be able to cover the cost of your appointment if:
Your appointment is within 2 days of submitting your application.
We cannot guarantee that we’ll have time to review, approve and pay for your financial aid request if your appointment is within 2 days of the time you completed the application. Example: you complete an application on Wednesday and your appointment is on Friday.You do not receive confirmation from WAAG before your appointment.
You must receive a confirmation email, text message, or phone call from WAAG. If you have not heard from us, we are not aware of your appointment and payment may not be arranged.
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Check Eligibility
Visit Humane Society for Southwest Washington’s Community Medicine page. Before making an appointment, review the income qualifications. Wahkiakum County residents should refer to the Cowlitz Income Threshold.Create an Account
Create an account through the Community Medicine portal to request an appointment.Ignore the 24 Hour Payment Warning
Please ignore the message regarding payment due within 24 hours. WAAG coordinates payment directly with HSSW. You can safely click ‘Yes’ here.
Enter Your Pet’s Information
Fill out all required details for your pet.
Please note: WAAG covers spay/neuter surgery only. Any additional services or add-ons will be your responsibility.Location for Dog Appointments
All dog spay/neuter surgeries are currently performed at Community Vet Clinic in Vancouver.Select Your Appointment
Choose your preferred date and time.*** IMPORTANT: Reason for Appointment
In the “Reason for Appointment” field, enter WAAG Financial Aid. This ensures we receive the invoice for your appointment.*** IMPORTANT: Complete WAAG Financial Aid Application
After submitting your appointment request, you must also complete WAAG’s financial aid application. This step is required for us to cover the cost of your pet’s surgery.Submit One Request Per Pet
Please submit one financial aid request per pet - do not combine them.Approval & Payment
If your application is approved, WAAG will pay Humane Society for Southwest Washington directly for your pet’s spay/neuter. We may ask you to forward the email or text invoice.Please Keep Your Appointment
WAAG pays for these appointments in advance. Missing your appointment results in a financial loss for both WAAG and the Humane Society - both of which are non-profit organizations. If you are unable to attend, please cancel or reschedule as early as possible. HSSW will not reschedule no-show appointments in the future.
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Make Appointment with Your Veterinarian
A scheduled appointment is required to approve your financial aid request. The appointment must be within the next 4 months.Complete WAAG Financial Aid Application
Complete WAAG’s financial aid application.Submit One Request Per Pet
Please submit one financial aid request per pet - do not combine them.Application Approval
If your application is approved, WAAG will send you a confirmation via email, text or phone call - whichever you indicated is your preferred method of communication.Surgery Payment
WAAG will call your vet’s office on the day of the appointment, usually around pick up time and make the payment directly to them. You will be responsible for paying the remainder of the invoice.
Financial aid may only be applied to the cost of the surgery and cannot be used for deposits or additional services.
Cancellations/Reschedules
If you have to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can update our calendar. Rescheduling your appointment without informing us may cause a delay in payment to your vet.
Why Spay & Neuter?
Help your pets live a healthier and longer life!
There are few reasons NOT to consider making an appointment to get your pet sterilized.
Why?
Spayed female pets tend to live longer and healthier lives, aids in the prevention of uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Neutering a male prevents testicular cancer, some prostate problems and some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering. Spaying/neutering your pets is far more cost effective than having and caring for a litter.
When?
Dogs can be spayed or neutered as young as 8-weeks old as long as they're healthy, but traditionally it's six to nine months. There is a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications with older dogs, dogs that are overweight or dogs with health problems.
For cats it's considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, kittens are often sterilized prior to adoption. To eliminate the chance for pregnancy and avoid the start of spraying it’s recommended to spay/neuter your cat before it reaches five months of age. It’s possible to spay a female cat while she’s in heat.
Where?
If you do not already have an established veterinarian, you can find a list of local providers in our Local Resources Guide on page 2. The Humane Society of Southwest Washington is often the most affordable option in our region for income-qualified families.
Please keep in mind that many independent veterinary clinics are booked months in advance, so it’s important to establish care with a veterinarian before planning for spay or neuter services. Some clinics may also require proof of vaccinations and/or bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy enough for surgery. For specific requirements, we recommend contacting your chosen clinic directly.
WAAG does not provide veterinary services; we offer recommendations and guidance to help you find care that works best for your pet.