Humane Alliance

23 counties served in North Carolina

Before Surgery

Before arriving at our facility, please familiarize yourself with the important information below.

Before arriving at our facility, please familiarize yourself with the important information below.

1. Vaccinations

Our vets recommend that pets are vaccinated from communicable diseases (distemper, parvo, and upper respiratory  diseases) at least two weeks prior to surgery. In addition, North Carolina state law requires a current rabies vaccination for your pet. Please bring proof in the form of a tag or certificate. We are otherwise required to administer one at the time of surgery for a charge of $10.

2. Withdraw Food After Midnight

Adult animals must have food withdrawn the night before surgery at midnight. Animals four months or younger may have food until 6 a.m., though all pets can have water.

3. Keep Your Pet Indoors

Pets must be kept indoors or confined the night before surgery. This ensures that they are not eating outside, which could potentially be dangerous during surgery.

4. Check-In Time is 8 a.m.

Due to our strict schedule, your pet might not be admitted if you arrive after 8:30 a.m. The admission process usually takes 10–15 minutes to complete. If you wish, you may collect the paperwork before your appointment to save time.

5. Leave Your Pet in the Car

Please leave your animal in your car until you have completed check-in. Once we have your paperwork, and have spoken to you about your animal's health, you will be asked to bring them in. All dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in a carrier. If you do not have a carrier for your cat, you can purchase a cardboard carrier for $5.

6. Method of Payment

We accept payment in the form of cash or check, preferably at the time of check-in.

7. Pets are Held Overnight

On Mondays through Thursdays, all animals are held overnight and released the following day at 7:30 a.m. On Fridays, we release all surgical patients at 5 p.m. Please note that we do not board pets.

8. About the Surgery

In female animals, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall, which makes them unable to get pregnant. In male dogs and cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. This prevents the production of sperm, meaning they will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens. Our patients are completely asleep during surgery, and are unable to feel or move.

9. Tattoo = Spay/Neuter

Your pet will receive a small, green tattoo near the incision site. This tattoo is not another incision—it’s just a small score in the top layers of the skin filled with tattoo ink and covered with surgical glue. The tattoo will ensure that anyone examining your animal will know they have been sterilized.