Your Guide to Kern County Animal Services Spay/Neuter Clinic and Programs

Ensuring your pet is spayed or neutered is a crucial step in responsible pet ownership, contributing to their health and helping to control pet overpopulation in Kern County. Kern County Animal Services (KCAS) offers accessible and affordable spay/neuter services for residents, including a low-cost clinic and voucher programs to make these essential procedures attainable for everyone. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the KCAS spay/neuter clinic, eligibility requirements, and additional resources available to Kern County pet owners.

KCAS Spay/Neuter Clinic Overview

The KCAS Spay/Neuter Clinic provides low-cost options for residents of unincorporated Kern County, Tehachapi, and Arvin to get their cats and dogs spayed or neutered. Understanding the costs, requirements, and limitations will help you determine if the clinic is the right option for your pet.

Cost and Residency Requirements

The cost for the KCAS Spay/Neuter Clinic is structured to be budget-friendly for Kern County residents:

$20: For residents of unincorporated Kern County.
Free: For residents of unincorporated Kern County living in zip codes 93305, 93306, 93307, or 93308. This discount is automatically applied during the application review process, and you will receive a confirmation email once it’s processed.

To be eligible for these low-cost services, pet owners must meet the following residency requirements:

Be a resident of unincorporated Kern County, Tehachapi, or Arvin.
Provide proof of address. Acceptable forms of proof include a valid ID with your current address or a utility bill showing your name and current address. You will be required to upload proof of address during the application process.

Pet Eligibility and Requirements

To ensure the safety and suitability of the clinic for your pet, KCAS has established specific eligibility criteria:

Animal Limit: A maximum of 4 animals per household can utilize the clinic services in their lifetime.
Age and Weight: Pets must be between 2 months and 7 years of age and weigh between 2 lbs and 100 lbs.
Health Status: Pets must be in generally good health to undergo surgery.
Photo Requirement: You will need to upload a photo of your pet as part of the application.
Cat Carrier Requirement: Cats must be transported in an appropriately sized cat carrier, with one cat per carrier.
Dog Leash Requirement: Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times while at the clinic.

Pets Not Eligible for Mobile Clinics

For the safety and well-being of certain animals, the mobile clinics have limitations:

Recent Birth or Lactation: Pets that have given birth within the last 3 months of the clinic date or are currently lactating are not eligible.
Prior C-sections or Abdominal Surgery: Pets with a history of c-sections or other abdominal surgeries are not eligible for the mobile clinic.
Dobermans and Doberman Mixes: Due to potential blood clotting issues associated with Doberman breeds, these dogs cannot be accommodated on the SNIP bus. Doberman owners should schedule an appointment with a veterinary hospital.
Flat-Faced Breeds (Summer Months): For their safety during the hotter months of July through September, flat-faced or “smoosh-faced” breeds of cats and dogs are not accepted. This includes, but is not limited to, Bulldog breeds (French, English, British), Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Brussel Griffon, Pekingese, and Persian cats.

Appointment Limits and Confirmation

Please be aware of the appointment limitations and confirmation process:

Lifetime Limit: Pet owners are limited to a combination of 4 clinic appointments or vouchers per household in their lifetime.
No Guaranteed Appointment: Signing up does not guarantee an appointment. Appointments are confirmed via email upon application approval.
Confirmation Email: Once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email. Application approval typically takes 1-3 days, so be sure to check your spam folder for updates.
Payment Deadline: Payment is due within 72 hours of receiving your appointment confirmation email. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Low-Income Voucher Programs

For Kern County residents who meet specific income requirements, KCAS offers voucher programs to further reduce the cost of spay/neuter services at participating veterinary clinics. These vouchers provide an alternative to the mobile clinic and offer more flexibility in scheduling and veterinary care.

Low-Income Voucher Program Details

The Low-Income Voucher Program offers a reduced co-pay for eligible residents:

Requirements:
- Must be a resident of unincorporated Kern County.
- Must provide proof of address (valid ID or utility bill).
- Must provide proof of household income.
Co-pay: A $20 co-pay per voucher is required at the time of obtaining the voucher.
Voucher Validity: Vouchers are valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
Participating Veterinarians: Vouchers can only be used at the veterinarians listed in the Participating Veterinarian List provided by KCAS. It is essential to contact a participating veterinarian to schedule your pet’s appointment before obtaining a voucher and inquire about any additional costs, such as vaccination or office fees, which are the pet owner’s responsibility.

Save the Pitties Voucher Program

Specifically for pit bull breeds, the Save the Pitties Voucher Program offers free spay/neuter services:

Requirements:
- Must provide proof of address (valid ID or utility bill).
Co-pay: $0 co-pay for eligible residents.
Voucher Validity: Vouchers are valid for 45 days from the date of issue.
Participating Veterinarians: Similar to the Low-Income Voucher Program, Save the Pitties vouchers are only valid at participating veterinarians listed by KCAS. Contact a participating vet to book an appointment prior to getting your voucher.

Voucher Acquisition

Vouchers can be obtained from the following locations:

In Person: Kern County Animal Services, located at 3951 Fruitvale Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308.
By Email Request: Send a voucher request to [email protected].

Please note that vouchers are non-transferable, and lost, stolen, damaged, or expired vouchers will not be replaced. It is recommended to have a confirmed appointment with a participating veterinarian before obtaining a voucher.

Additional Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Resources

In addition to KCAS programs, several other organizations in and around Kern County offer low-cost spay/neuter services. Exploring these options can provide further avenues for affordable pet care:

By utilizing Kern County Animal Services and these additional resources, residents can access affordable spay/neuter options for their beloved pets, contributing to healthier animals and a more responsible community. Remember to check the Feral Cat Assistance page if you require assistance with feral cats in your area.