Free to Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Program
Information about the AWD free to low-cost spay and neuter program.
AWD Spay & Neuter Program
Low-and moderate-income residents of Albuquerque and surrounding areas seeking low cost spay/neuter services should apply for the AWD Spay/Neuter Program.
For ABQ Residents, register for Spay & Neuter services using the ABQ Residents button below.
Albuquerque city residents can access AWD Spay & Neuter services free-of-charge if they meet low-moderate income guidelines below.
ABQ Residents - CLICK HERE to Apply for Spay/Neuter Program
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- Services provided at: AWD Preventative Care Clinic - 10500 Copper NE Suite B - Albuquerque NM 87123
- Proof of address and qualification will need to be shown at the time of service.
- Fees may apply and are due at the time of service
- Sign-ups are accepted all year.
- Selection will go in order that you signed up.
- Sign up one slot per pet. Any duplicate sign-ups will be deleted.
- $40 surcharge for Brachycephalic Breeds. What does this mean?
- Make sure to update your phone number, physical address and email as needed by emailing [email protected]
- When your pet is selected during this process, you will be contacted via phone and/or email address you provided in your sign-up. Please regularly check your phone number and email address.
- If you are contacted, you will have 1 week to respond before your sign-up is deleted. You will need to re-apply and get back in line.
- Please note: This is not for immediate Spay/neuter services for court dates or medical reasons. Please contact a private veterinarian if you need immediate assistance.
- IMPORTANT: Has your cat or dog recently had puppies or kittens? Please note, mother cats or dogs CANNOT have sterilization surgery until their pups or kittens are at least 8 weeks old and weaned! Please ask about our “Spay Your Momma” program for litters and their mothers!
Income guidelines for the AWD Spay & Neuter Program
The program is offered to those who do not exceed the moderate-income level for their family size.
Participants are classified as low income and moderate income in accordance with city law. The income figures are derived from federal guidelines for Albuquerque.
| Family Size | Low-Income | Moderate-Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,648 | $43,284 |
| 3 | $27,324 | $54,648 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,688 | $77,364 |
| 6 | $44,364 | $88,728 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $55,728 | $111,444 |
For any questions about your application status, please contact us at [email protected].
For NON-ABQ residents, register for Spay & Neuter services using the NON-ABQ Residents button below.
Unincorporated Bernalillo County and surrounding areas only.
- Unincorporated Bernalillo County
- Torrance County
- Sandoval County
- Valencia County
- Cibola County
- Santa Fe County
NON-ABQ Residents - CLICK HERE to Apply for Spay/Neuter Program
- Services provided at: AWD Preventative Care Clinic - 10500 Copper NE Suite B - Albuquerque NM 87123
- Proof of address and qualification will need to be shown at the time of service.
- Fees will apply and are due at the time of check-in
- Please sign up one pet per appropriate slot.
- Sign up one slot per pet. Any duplicate sign-ups will be deleted.
- $40 surcharge for Brachycephalic Breeds. What does this mean?
- Proof of address and income will need to be shown at the time of service.
- Contact us at [email protected] if you need to be removed from the list or have questions about the status of your application.
- When your pet is selected during this process, you will be contacted via phone and/or email address you provided in your sign-up. Please regularly check your phone number and email address.
- If you are contacted, you will have 1 week to respond before your sign-up is deleted. You will need to re-apply and get back in line.
- Please note: This is not for immediate Spay/neuter services for court dates or medical reasons. Please contact a private veterinarian if you need immediate assistance.
- IMPORTANT: Has your cat or dog recently had puppies or kittens? Please note, mother cats or dogs CANNOT have sterilization surgery until their pups or kittens are at least 8 weeks old and weaned! Please ask about our “Spay Your Momma” program for litters and their mothers!
Income guidelines for the AWD Spay & Neuter Program
The program is offered to those who do not exceed the moderate-income level for their family size.
Participants are classified as low income and moderate income in accordance with city law. The income figures are derived from federal guidelines for Albuquerque.
| Family Size | Low-Income | Moderate-Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,648 | $43,284 |
| 3 | $27,324 | $54,648 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,688 | $77,364 |
| 6 | $44,364 | $88,728 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $55,728 | $111,444 |
Reduced fees for low-moderate income families in unincorporated Bernalillo County, maximum of 2 pets
| Animal Size/Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Male Cat Neuter | $75 |
| Female Cat Spay | $113 |
| Small Male Dog Neuter (under 45 lbs.) | $113 |
| Large Male Dog Neuter (45-90 lbs.) | $150 |
| Female Dog Spay (Under 40 lbs.) | $150 |
| Female Dog Spay (41-65 lbs.) | $150 |
| Female Dog Spay (66-90 lbs.) | $188 |
| Dr. Discretion for any pet over 90 lbs. | $225 |
If you do not live in Albuquerque city limits or in unincorporated Bernalillo County, we are now taking sign-ups. Slots are limited, so check back weekly.
| Animal Size/Type | Outside of City/Bernalillo County who qualify as low-moderate income |
|---|---|
| Male Cat Neuter | $113 |
| Female Cat Spay | $150 |
| Small Male Dog Neuter (under 45 lbs.) | $150 |
| Large Male Dog Neuter (45-90 lbs.) | $225 |
| Female Dog Spay (Under 40 lbs.) | $225 |
| Female Dog Spay (41-65 lbs.) | $225 |
| Female Dog Spay (66-90 lbs.) | $263 |
| Dr. Discretion for any pet over 90 lbs. | $300 |
For any questions about your application status, please contact us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Every year, thousands of animals are born into short lives of suffering and death in Albuquerque because people did not spay or neuter their pets. There are simply not enough homes for the dogs and cats that are born because of this type of neglect.
Spaying and neutering provide health benefits in addition to preventing litters. Spaying helps prevent uterine infection and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Neutering can prevent testicular cancer if done before 6 months of age. Neutering also reduces roaming, and nuisances such as foul odors in spraying by cats. It can reduce aggressiveness and fighting among both dogs and cats.
Under most circumstances, it is against the law in Albuquerque to own a dog or cat unless you have it spayed or neutered. There are programs that can provide the services at no charge for low-income and moderate-income residents. There also are programs that will help you arrange for the free spay and neuter of the street cats in your neighborhood, to help control the cat population while providing humane treatment of the animals.
Yes, the following factors disqualify your pet from free to low cost spay/neutering services:
- Pet owners under 18 years of age
- Any pet weighing less than 4 pounds
- Pets over 7 years of age
- Aggressive animals
- Overweight pets (Dr's discretion)
- Any animal assessed by the participating veterinarian as a surgical risk
Animal Welfare also has a special program called "Spay Your Mama." Citizens can have their mother dog or cat spayed for free if they bring the puppies or kittens to Animal Welfare and sign them over to be placed for adoption. The pups/kittens will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped before being adopted. Owners are also given a voucher to have the mama dog or cat spayed, once the litter is surrendered to Animal Welfare. The goal is to prevent more unwanted litters and more homeless pets. Please call 311 to set up an appointment with our clinic.
Yes.You must qualify as low-income or moderate-income to receive free or low cost spay or neuter services, which will include a vaccine, and microchip services. Proof of qualification is required at the time of your appointment.
Qualification is based on:- Total household income - for both Albuquerque and non-Albuquerque residents
- Proof of address and income will need to be shown at the time of service - for both Albuquerque and non-Albuquerque residents
- Award letter for EBT/Medicaid issued by the State of New Mexico, OR
- Annual letter regarding benefits or the monthly benefits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), OR
- Award letter for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, OR
- Current income taxes
- (2) Current check stubs
- (2) Current Bank Statements
- Proof of qualifications are due at the time of your appointment
- Please note that cards will not be accepted. AWD will accept digital proof.
- Proof must be presented at the time of your appointment for the service
- Have a friend, neighbor, or relative 18yrs or older transport your pet, paperwork, ID, and proof of qualifications. Please advise them of any fees that are due at the time of appointment.
- Provide this person with a signed letter of permission authorizing them to transport your pet and sign any consent needed for surgery.
What? And Why? Brachycephalic breeds are dogs with short, broad skulls and flat faces, often prone to breathing and other health issues due to their unique anatomy.
- These breeds require longer supervision and care by the Dr. and supporting staff.
- Pug
- French Bulldog
- Bulldog
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Some Shih Tzu (discretion of the Dr./and or staff)
- Pekinese
- Japanese Chin
- Shar pei
- Bullmastiff
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- Some bully breeds (discretion of the Dr./and or staff)
- Above breed Mixes will be at the discretion of the Dr. and/or staff.
Money from the sale of New Mexico's spay-neuter license plates subsidizes spay or neuter services and can help counties prevent euthanasia of healthy animals. Like all special license plates, the plates must be ordered from the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). Order forms can be obtained from MVD offices.
- AWD Preventative Care Clinic is located at: 10500 Copper Ave NE Suite B, Albuquerque NM 87123
We provide the following additional services BY APPOINTMENT ONLY:
- Basic Exam done by a licensed Veterinarian.
- Spay/neuter services for dogs and cats
- Dog Vaccines (Da2PP) and Cat Vaccines (FVRCP). Rabies Vaccines 1yr.
- Microchip
Other services with surcharges, only available with above appointments.
- Flea/tick medications - $10
- Pre-op blood work - $20
- Bordetella vaccine - $10
- 3yr Rabies vaccine - $10 (proof of 1yr rabies no later than 30 days expired)
Please note: Preventative Pet Care clinic is not an emergency facility. You should still obtain a relationship with a private practice veterinarian.