Spay and Neuter Information

Spay and neuter is the best way to cut down on the number of unwanted animals in the community. These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation, but they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing your pet to lead a longer, healthier and happier life. Female dogs and cats can be spayed as early as 2 months old. Male dogs and cats can be neutered as early as 2 months old. Spaying your female pet will eliminate the risk of Pyometra (a severe and often fatal infection of the uterus). It will also decrease the incidence of mammary tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Spaying your female pet before her first heat cycle offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering your male pet will eliminate the chance of testicular cancer and reduce the risk of prostate problems. Neutered male pets are less likely to roam away from home and are less likely to mark or spray.

The Truth Behind Spaying and Neutering Myths

Myth: Female dogs and cats should have at least one litter before having them spayed.

Truth: There is no medical evidence to justify allowing a dog or cat to have a litter before spaying. In fact, spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of developing uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the threat of mammary cancer.

Myth: Animals become less active and overweight as a result of spaying or neutering.

Truth: As any animal matures, it is necessary for human guardians to adjust dietary intake to compensate for more sedentary lifestyles. Animals become overweight only when they are fed too much and not exercised properly.

Myth: Behavior is adversely affected by sterilization.

Truth: The only changes in dog and cat behavior after spaying or neutering are positive changes.  Male cats tend to reduce territorial spraying, depending on their age at neutering. Neutered dogs and cats fight less, resulting in fewer bite and scratch wounds and lessening the spread of contagious diseases.  Male dogs and cats tend to stay home more after neutering because they no longer wander in search of a mate.

Myth: Spaying and neutering is painful to my dog or cat.

Truth: Surgical sterilization is performed under general anesthesia by a doctor of veterinary medicine. The procedure itself is not felt by the patient.  There may be mild discomfort after the surgery, but most animals return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours.  The minimal discomfort experienced by dogs and cats that are spayed or neutered can be lessened with post-operative pain medications and is well worth the endless suffering that is prevented by eliminating homeless puppies and kittens.

Myth: Children should be allowed to witness the miracle of birth.

Truth: Most dogs and cats have their litters at night in quiet, dark places far out of anyone’s sight.  Besides, every litter of puppies and kittens born contributes to the thousands of unwanted dogs and cats who die every day across America in our nation’s pounds and animal shelters.

Myth: Spaying and neutering are expensive.

Truth: The cost of sterilization varies greatly from one private veterinarian to another.  In Kern County, it can range from $200-$800, but that is far less than what emergency surgery and/or cancer treatment costs. Kern S.A.F.E. coalition members have multiple no/low cost spay and neuter options depending on your address eligibility. You can request an appointment by completing this FORM. Please see below for additional information about spay and neuter in your area.

Bakersfield Residents - If you live in Bakersfield you first need to determine which jurisdiction your address falls under - City of Bakersfield or Unincorporated Kern County. The blue areas on the map are City of Bakersfield and the yellow and off-white areas are unincorporated Kern County. You can call either shelter and give them your address and they can tell you which jurisdiction you reside in.

For ALL Bakersfield Residents
Strength of Shadow Dog Rescue
https://www.strengthofshadow.org/spayandneuter
appointments@strengthofshadow.org

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

For Unincorporated County addresses in Bakersfield
Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/

Bakersfield zip codes include 93301, 93304, 93305, 99306, 93307, 93308, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, 93314, 93383, 93384, 93385, 93387, 93389

Kern River Valley Residents - If you live in the Kern River Valley you are in Unincorporated Kern County jurisdiction. Kern River Valley cities include Bodfish, Havilah, Kernville, Lake Isabella, Onyx, Weldon, Wofford Heights

Strength of Shadow Dog Rescue
https://www.strengthofshadow.org/spayandneuter
appointments@strengthofshadow.org

Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
(may require travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

Kern River Valley zip codes include 93205, 93238, 93240, 93255, 93283, 93285

Arvin & Tehachapi Residents - Arvin & Tehachapi are both incorporated cities, however they are both contract with Kern County Animal Services so residents are in Unincorporated Kern County jurisdiction.

For Tehachapi residents
SNIP Bus - Spay Neuter Imperative Project
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/snipbus - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic.
Sponsored by Have a Heart Human Society

For Arvin and Tehachapi residents
Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
(may require travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/


Arvin Zip Code 93203, Tehachapi Zip Codes 93561 and 93581

Ridgecrest Residents - The majority of 93555 residents would be within the City of Ridgecrest jurisdiction and contact Ridgecrest Animal Shelter for all resources and services. For unincorporated county residents in Ridgecrest and surrounding areas such as Inyokern you would be within Unincorporated Kern County jurisdiction.

SNIP Bus - Spay Neuter Imperative Project
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/snipbus - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic. Open to ALL of Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Trona, and Buttermilk.
Sponsored by Ridgecrest Animal Shelter

Ridgecrest Animal Shelter - 760-499-5190
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ridgecrestanimalshelter - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic. Open to ALL of Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Trona, and Buttermilk.

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

For Unincorporated County addresses
Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
(may require travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/


Ridgecrest area Zip Codes - Ridgecrest 93555 and 93556, Inyokern 93527

Delano Residents (Within City Limits)

SNIP Bus - Spay Neuter Imperative Project
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/snipbus - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic.
Sponsored by Delano Animal Shelter

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

Delano Zip Codes 93215 and 93216

McFarland Residents (Within City Limits)

SNIP Bus - Spay Neuter Imperative Project
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/snipbus - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic.
Sponsored by City of McFarland

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

McFarland Zip Code 93250

Shafter (Within City Limits)

SNIP Bus - Spay Neuter Imperative Project
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/snipbus - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic.
Sponsored by City of Shafter

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

For Unincorporated County addresses
Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
(may require travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/

Shafter Zip Code 93263 and 93314

Taft & Maricopa Residents (Within City Limits)

Taft Animal Shelter - 661-763-1227
https://www.facebook.com/taftcityCAanimalshelter

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/

For Unincorporated County addresses
Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
(may require travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/

Taft Zip Code 93268 Maricopa Zip Code 93252

Wasco Residents (Within City Limits)

SNIP Bus - Spay Neuter Imperative Project
Follow them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/snipbus - they will post information on how to request an appointment for next available clinic.
Sponsored by City of Wasco

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/



Wasco Zip Code 93280

California City Residents (Within City Limits)

Cal City Animal Shelter - 760-373-1115

Critters Without Litters - 661-831-6000
(requires travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.critterswithoutlitters.org/



California City Zip Codes 93501, 93504, 93505

For all other cities/zip codes in Kern County in all unincorporated areas

Kern County Animal Services - 661-868-7100
(may require travel to Bakersfield)
https://www.kerncountyanimalservices.org/pet-resources/low-cost-spay-neuter/