What is a high volume, low cost, spay neuter clinic?

It is a clinic 100% focused on spay and neuter services. Their sole purpose of existence is to provide affordable spay neuter services to help control the unwanted pet population and reduce the number of shelter intakes and euthanasia's. These clinic, on average, schedule 35 surgeries per day, 4 days a week, 50 weeks a year. That is 7,000 surgeries per year!

Why a specialized clinic? Why can’t our local vets provide these services?

Our local veterinarians absolutely can provide all of the services offered at a high volume, low cost spay neuter clinic. What they can not provide is affordability and high volume. They simply don’t have the time to perform the amount of surgeries needed to make an impact . They must be prepared for a wide variety of situations and health problems which requires an enormous amount of resources and makes it financially impossible to offer low cost services.

Did you know that the average price for a spay or neuter surgery at a full service veterinary office is $250? That doesn’t include the charge for the initial visit before surgery, or all of the required vaccines. When all is said and done at a veterinary office, you can expect cost to be closer to $400

High volume, low cost spay neuter clinics offer the same services at a fraction of the price. The average price for surgery at a clinic is $65. Rabies vaccines are generally included in the price of surgery, and additional vaccines are offered at a very low cost.

Wonderful news, the ASPCA provides a complete plan to open and run a high-volume, affordable spay and neuter clinic!

This plan has been used to open clinics all throughout Tennessee and the United States. The plan is so complete, it provides sample layouts, equipment lists, budgeting information, even a detailed, hour by hour breakdown of what needs to be done each day, and who should be doing it. It's almost a "spay and neuter clinic in a box"!

What's not provided is a location. A building is our absolute #1 need to move forward with the clinic.

What are the building and location requirements?

A minimum of 1200SF is needed, with 2500-3000 being ideal.

A large parking area or an area for cars to line up for drop off/pickup. Everyone arrives at the same time for drop off and pickup, similar to a school, so a location that can handle that traffic pattern is a must.

Centrally located within Robertson County is ideal, but all areas within the county will be considered.

Metal buildings, houses and modular buildings are all perfectly acceptable, assuming zoning regulations are met.

Several water hookups are needed, which makes typical strip-mall or office rentals a difficult fit. Clinics require washer and dryer hookups, prep sinks, and an ADA compliant bathroom. A house is actually a great fit for a clinic!

Is the future clinic self sustainable? Are you asking for a free building?

Absolutely! Our clinic fees will cover our budget. Our veterinarians and staff will be fairly compensated.

Absolutely not! Our budget allows for a generous mortgage or lease. Owning a building is our ultimate goal, but leasing is not out of the question.

Why does Robertson County need a clinic? Will a clinic have a negative impact on our full service veterinarians?

Robertson County has zero affordable resources. Our shelters are full. We simply can not continue down our current path. A bigger animal shelter is not the answer. Offering an affordable way to control the pet population is the answer.

Studies have shown that in areas where affordable spay and neuter clinics have opened up, full service veterinary offices have an increase in clients. Why? Simply put, owners are no longer embarrassed about their pets lack of basic care. Once an animal is up to date on vaccines and on flea prevention, owners are more likely to visit a vet for bigger health concerns.

Eye Opening Facts

Throughout Tennessee's 95 counties, there are approximately 25 affordable spay and neuter clinics, leaving 70 counties with little to no resources.

Every clinic, on average, is booked 6 weeks out.

Tennessee is home to approximately 2.6 million households, with an estimated 62% of them owning at least 1 pet.

An estimated 10% of the homeless population are pet owners.

Unaltered community/free roaming cats produce 80% of the kittens born in the US each year. An overwhelming amount of these litters are found and brought to local shelters by caring citizens.

Does low cost equal low quality?

Absolutely not! Services are provided by licensed veterinarians that have gone through specialized training to provide the most efficient and up to date surgical techniques. These veterinarians will perform an average of 35 surgeries a day, 4 days a week, allowing them to not only sharpen their surgical skills, but to become the best in their field.