Spay & Neuter
Coming soon: The Department recommended, and the Board of Animal Services Commissioners approved, that Spay and Neuter Project Los Angeles provide low-cost vaccination clinics at all six of its shelters. This action still requires City Council approval and this is currently in process. Please check this website periodically for updates. Thanks for your patience.
About Spay & Neuter In LA
Required for Cats & Dogs in Los Angeles City
City law requires all cats and dogs in the City to be spayed or neutered after the age of four months, with some specific exemptions allowed. This law makes Los Angeles the national leader in efforts to humanely decrease the number of pets abandoned and euthanized each year.
Key Facts About the Spay/Neuter Law
- Applies to all dogs and cats over four months of age, unless exempted. (See “Exemptions”)
- Violations are subject to three levels of increasing fines, starting at $100, to urge compliance.
- Upon the second violation, animals are subject to mandatory sterilization
- After multiple violations, non-compliance is a misdemeanor.
- Maintaining an intact dog requires both meeting the requirements for an exemption AND obtaining an intact license.
- Spaying and neutering are safe, simple surgeries that prevent animals from reproducing. Females are spayed; males are neutered.
- One unneutered male can impregnate dozens of females. Therefore, it is just as important to neuter males as it is to spay females. Accidents happen when you least expect them.
- Spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates the risk of certain types of cancer that can kill your pet or be expensive to treat.
- Spaying and neutering may eliminate undesirable behaviors such as fighting, spraying, and roaming.
The City of Los Angeles, Department of Animal Services manages two Spay & Neuter Programs to assist City of Los Angeles residents with sterilization costs for their companion dogs, cats, and rabbits.
The Discount Spay & Neuter Coupon Program is available to all City of Los Angeles residents while the Free Spay & Neuter Certificate Program provides free sterilizations to qualifying City of Los Angeles residents whose annual combined household income is below HUD's Household Low Income limits. Applicants for both programs must be 18 years of age or older.
Discount Spay & Neuter Coupons and Free Spay & Neuter Certificates are only available for companion animals owned by City of Los Angeles residents. Each household is eligible for discounts for 3 dogs, 3 cats and 3 rabbits.
Complete the form online to receive your certificate by mail. Both the certificates and the coupons may be used at participating Veterinary Hospitals, our On-site Clinics at select City Animal Shelters.
Please be sure to bring a valid photo ID with you when accompanying your pet during their procedure.
The Free Spay & Neuter Certificate is available for qualified LA City residents and covers the full cost of a companion animal’s sterilization at participating Veterinary Hospitals, and On-Site Clinics at our City Animal Shelters.
Currently the Discount Spay & Neuter Coupon covers fees up to:
- $30 for Cats (Male & Female)
- $50 for Rabbits (Male & Female)
- $50 for Dogs (Male & Female)
REMINDER: The cost of surgery may exceed the $30 or $50 value of the Discount Spay & Neuter Coupon.
LA Animal Services currently has five spay/neuter clinics located on-site at our City Animal Shelters. The clinics are independently operated and open to the public. Please contact the clinic operator directly for questions about spaying or neutering your pet and related services.
Operated by Western University of Health Sciences Collage of Veterinary Medicine
14409 Vanowen St
Van Nuys, CA 91405
Operated by CAMP
957 N. Gaffey St
San Pedro, CA 90731
Provides sterilizations for companion animals brought in by the public and adopted companion animals. Also offers other common veterinary services to the public, such as vaccinations, deworming, etc., with each sterilization. Call the clinic directly for more information.
Operated by Shelter Vet (dba as Value Vet, Inc.)
11361 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Operated by Heaven on Earth Society for Animals
20655 Plummer St
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Provides sterilizations for adopted companion animals as well as companion animals brought in by the public. Also offers a full range of other veterinary services to the public. Discounted prices offered on Monthly Community Spay/Neuter Day. Call the clinic directly for more information.
Mobile Clinics
Most mobile clinics are by appointment only. Make sure you check with the clinic before your arrival.
The SPAY4LA Mobile Clinic operates in South Los Angeles and offers free spay & neuter service for cats and dogs of qualified City of Los Angeles residents. The clinic operates by appointment only. You must be a resident of the City of Los Angeles and participate in a low-income program. Low-cost vaccines and microchips available to spayed and neutered pets. Call 1-888-SPAY-4-LA (772-9452) or go to 1888spay4la.org. (Hablamos Español)
Spaying and Neutering are humane and life affirming means of ending euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets. In February 2008, the City Council of Los Angeles approved a new law that requires all cats and dogs in the City to be spayed or neutered after the age of four months, with some specific exemptions allowed. The spay and neuter ordinance enables LA Animal Services to hold accountable pet owners whose irresponsibility threatens public safety and contributes to our shelters being overcrowded and filled with unwanted and abandoned animals. By having your dog or cat spayed or neutered, you're helping to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens who end up in shelters while also providing health and behavioral benefits to your furry friend.
