Free to Low Cost Spay & Neuter Program
Information about the free to low cost spay and neuter program.
AWD Spay & Neuter Program
Low and moderate income residents of Albuquerque seeking spay/neuter services should apply for the AWD Spay/Neuter Program.
- Signups are accepted all year.
- Selection will go in order that you signed up. only sign ups one slot per pet. Any duplicate sign -up will be deleted.
- Make sure to update your phone number/Email as needed by emailing [email protected]
- Please sign up one pet per appropriate slot.
- If you have multiple animals, please fill out one slot per pet.
- This is for the City of Albuquerque Residents only with low to moderate income. 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.
- If 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 sign-up
- Please note: This is not for immediate Spay/neuter services for court dates or medical reasons. Please contact your private veterinarian if you need immediate assistance. Thank you.
- 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!
For any questions about your application status, please contact us at [email protected].
Now Open
Animal Welfare Preventative Care Clinic.
We will be providing spay/neuter for cats and dogs along with Vaccinations and microchips. Please sign up through our Spay/Neuter program.
The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department offers free to low cost spay or neuter service vouchers for the cats and dogs of low-income and moderate-income Albuquerque residents.
View our list of available spay and neuter resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I care about spaying or neutering my pets?
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.
Spay Your Mama Program
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.
How do I qualify for the free to low cost spay or neuter of my pets?
- Residence within the City of Albuquerque
- Total household income
Are there any disqualifications for free to low cost spay or neuter of my pets?
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 3 pounds
- Pets over 8 years of age
- Aggressive animals
- Over weight pets (Dr's discretion)
- High Anesthesia Risk Pets ie: Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian Cats (Dr's discretion)
- Any animal assessed by the participating veterinarian as a surgical risk
Other issues:
- For information about sterilizing the unowned street cats in your neighborhood, contact Street Cat Hub, 505-247-9357. The group is well versed in where to get traps, how to use them, where to take the cats for sterilization and what to do afterward.
What are the income guidelines for the city 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 | $15,660 | $31,308 |
| 2 | $21,156 | $42,300 |
| 3 | $26,652 | $53,304 |
| 4 | $32,160 | $64,308 |
| 5 | $37,656 | $75,300 |
| 6 | $43,152 | $86,304 |
| 7 | $48,660 | $97,308 |
| 8 | $54,156 | $108,300 |
Do I need to qualify to receive spay or neuter services?
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.
What if I don't reside in Albuquerque?
Please refer to your local city or county government for other options.
For Bernalillo County residents, Bernalillo County Animal Care Services provides services under the following guidelines:
- Pets must be registered within Bernalillo County
- A certificate will be given as partial payment for spaying/neutering a pet at a participating clinic
- Residents can call 505-468-7386 for more information
- Reduced fees for low-income families in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County, maximum of 2 pets.
When do I bring my proof of income?
Proof must be presented at the time of your appointment for the service.
What would prove low-income status?
- Award letter for an EBT card issued by the State of New Mexico for Food Stamps, OR
- Either the annual letter regarding benefits or the monthly benefit card for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), OR
- Award letter for an EBT card issued by the State of New Mexico for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, OR
- Award letter for a Medicaid health benefit card, OR
- Current income taxes
- Current check stubs
What would be proof of moderate-income status?
- Previous or current Tax Return form
- Last 2 paycheck stubs
What will be done for my pet?
Basic Exam, Sterilization surgery, a rabies vaccination if the pet is old enough, an upper respiratory vaccination for cats, a parvo/distemper vaccination for dogs, a microchip implant.
What if I found a stray cat and I have been feeding it, but I am not sure I want to keep it?
Call Street Cat Hub, 505-247-9357.
I qualify, but I don't drive. Are there any options for me?
YES!
- Have a friend, neighbor, or relative transport your paperwork, your ID, and your proof of income.
- Provide this person with a signed letter of permission authorizing them to transport your pet to the participating locations.
How do I find the clinic?
Preventative Pet Care Clinic
10500 Copper Ave NE Suite B
Albuquerque NM 87123
We are located at the southwest corner of Tax and Rev Department.
Which other organizations provide spay and neutering services?
Spay or neuter services are offered to qualified low-income clients by appointment only.
Street Cat Hub
505-247-9357
Offers help with trapping and surgeries for unowned street cats
For Bernalillo County residents:
Bernalillo County Animal Care Services
- Pets must be registered within Bernalillo County
- A certificate will be given as partial payment for spaying/neutering a pet at a participating clinic
- Residents can call 505-468-7386 for more information
- Reduced fees for low-income families in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County, maximum of 2 pets.
Spay or Neuter License Plates
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.