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Department of Health Services

Sonoma County Animal Services

Spay & Neuter

white dog lying on grass

Animal Services promotes animal health and welfare through a variety of services including four Love Me Fix Me (LMFM) spay and neuter programs for residents of Santa Rosa and Unincorporated Sonoma County (see below for details): 

  • Voucher Program (for pets under 6 years of age)
  • Pit Fix Program (for pets under 6 years of age)
  • Mama Fix Program
  • Community Cats Program

Golden dog sitting on grass

LMFM Voucher Program

Our LMFM Voucher Program offers low-cost spay & neuter vouchers for qualifying low-income pet owners that live in Santa Rosa or Unincorporated Sonoma County. This program aims to remove barriers to spaying and neutering pets and ensure that the residents we serve have access to affordable spay/neuter services and includes: spay or neuter surgery, microchip (if needed), and vaccinations (if needed). This program is for pets under 6 years of age. We issue up to two vouchers per household per 12-month period.  If you need additional spay/neuter assistance, please call (707) 565-7100 or send an email to theanimalshelter@sonoma-county.org to see if you qualify for one of our other programs. 

An application and approval for a voucher is required. Please click below for application requirements.

We are currently working on program improvements. During this time, please expect longer than normal application processing times.

HOW TO QUALIFY & APPLY


Black and white dog looking up

LMFM Pit Fix Program

Our LMFM Pit Fix Program helps residents we serve to comply with the County Ordinance requiring all Pit Bulls (Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, or American Staffordshire Terriers) and Pit Bull mixes to be spayed or neutered. Appointments are required. This program is for pets under 6 years of age. 

How to Qualify

  1. Be a resident of Santa Rosa or Unincorporated Sonoma County
  2. Have an unaltered Pit Bull (Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier) or Pit Bull mix dog under 6 years of age

How to Apply

  • Call (707) 565-7100 during regular shelter hours to make the next available appointment (Appointments are made on the first of every month; or the first Tuesday of the month if the first falls on a Sunday or Monday)

Co-pay Fees:

Spays

  • Dogs 2-30 pounds: $150.00
  • Dogs 31-75 pounds: $170.00
  • Dogs 76+ pounds: $190.00

Neuters

  • Dogs 2-30 pounds: $120.00
  • Dogs 31-75 pounds: $140.00
  • Dogs 76+ pounds: $160.00

The co-pay is due at the time of surgery. Dogs must be licensed by the day of surgery. Cash, check and most credit cards accepted.

VIEW COUNTY ORDINANCE


mom dog and puppy

LMFM Momma Fix Program

mom dog and puppy

Our Momma Fix Program helps Sonoma County residents by offering a free spay surgery to your adult dog or cat when you relinquish your litter of puppies or kittens to the shelter. We'll provide medical wellness, spay/neuter and care to the little ones and begin working to find them loving homes. And you'll keep the adult cat or dog as your beloved companion. Appointments are required.

How to Qualify

  1. Be a resident of Santa Rosa or Unincorporated Sonoma County
  2. Have an unaltered dog or cat with a litter of puppies or kittens (2 months or older)
  3. Be willing to relinquish the litter of puppies or kittens to Sonoma County Animal Services
  4. Be able to pay your license fee (required for all dogs over 4 months old)

How to Apply

Call (707) 565-7100 during regular shelter hours to make the next available appointment.

There is no co-pay for this program. You will only be required to pay your dog license fee, if applicable.


LMFM Community Cats Program

Community cats are cats without human caretakers, are not tame and are afraid of people (feral cats). Our no-cost spay/neuter Community Cats Program for Santa Rosa and Unincorporated Sonoma County residents follows the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) approach to prevent unwanted litters and protect their well-being.

TNR is the most effective and humane way to manage and care for our community cat population and stop the breeding cycle of cats while allowing them to live out their natural lives. This approach allows the cats to be spayed or neutered and then returned to the environment they call home. Returning cats to their territories also eliminates the "vacuum effect," which occurs when removing or relocating cats. Removal of the cats invites new unaltered cats to move in or remaining unaltered cats to breed more. Community cats who are friendly will stay with us at Animal Services and become candidates for adoption. 

You’ll know a community cat who has been spayed or neutered already because it will have the tip of its ear removed. This is done by the surgeon while the cat is under anesthesia and is swift, painless, and heals rapidly. A ‘tipped’ cat ear is a universal sign for a sterilized cat.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND A CAT WITHOUT A TIPPED EAR:

  1. Call us or Forgotten Felines to discuss spay/neuter and trapping options
  2. Bring your community cat for their Spay/Neuter appointment
  3. Re-release the cat back into its original environment

Please note: we only accept three community cats per household per 12-month period. If you need additional spay/neuter assistance, please see contact Forgotten Felines, listed above.

FORGOTTEN FELINES MORE ON THE VACUUM EFFECT MORE ON TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE


Spay & Neuter Partner Programs

 

Forgotten Felines Logo

Forgotten Felines

Low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Santa Rosa for Feral and Community cats. This is a Trap-Neuter-Return program. Visit them online or call (707) 579-7999 to reserve your spot.

 

Humane Society of Sonoma County Logo

Humane Society of Sonoma County

Weekly low-cost spay and neuter clinic (located on Hwy. 12) for dogs and cats of Sonoma County residents. Appointments required. Visit them online or call (707) 284-3499

 

Pets Lifeline Logo

Pets Lifeline

No-cost spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs (25 lbs. or less) in Sonoma. Appointment required. Visit them online to send an Appointment Request.

 

Petaluma PET Pals Logo

Petaluma PET Pals

Spay & Neuter Assistance Program offers vouchers for discounted spay/neuter surgeries at participating veterinarians. Visit them online or call (707) 769-2199 to request a voucher

 

Compassion Without Borders Logo

Compassion Without Borders

Free wellness and Spay & Neuter Clinics weekly in Southwest Santa Rosa. Visit them online or call (707) 474-3345