According to the national organization Spay USA, the average low cost spay/neuter clinic is able to accommodate between 30 and 50 surgeries per day. These low cost clinics make spay/neuter services affordable and help prevent pet overpopulation in the community.

Are you interested in starting a low cost spay/neuter clinic in your area? Here are a few steps towards getting started:
Assess Community Needs

Are there quite a few low cost spay/neuter programs in your area already?

If so, the demand may not be there for an additional program (though by all means check to see if current programs are able to meet community needs). Checking with local animal shelters to find out current euthanasia rates is another good indicator of whether pet overpopulation is a problem in the area.

Your clinic should be placed in a convenient area that is accessible to families who will be using the service.
Decide On an Operational Model

There are several different ways to operate a low cost spay/neuter program. The first is the most obvious: opening a stand-alone facility with its own staff. This can be a significant expense at the outset, though it is possible to finance through donations and grants.

A second option is to use an established clinic’s facilities after hours or on weekends, if you can find a practice willing to share space.

A third option is to run a spay/neuter subsidy program, where veterinarians willing to work with the program provide reduced cost surgeries while receiving a supplemental financial subsidy from the program (thus eliminating the program’s need for a separate facility or staff).

A fourth option is running a mobile service, operating out of a specially equipped van, though these vehicles can be very expensive to purchase, furnish, and insure. Some programs choose instead to offer a pet taxi service to bring animals to and from appointments at established low cost spay/neuter clinics, either by having a dedicated van for this purpose or utilizing volunteers and their personal vehicles.
Seek Funding

Becoming approved for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status will allow your donors to write off their donations of funds, goods, and services. The process can be lengthy but is usually worth the effort in the long run.

There are also a variety of grant programs that can provide financial support for spay/neuter clinics. PetSmart Charities is one organization that offers a variety of grants including those designed for targeted spay/neuter programs, free roaming cat spay/neuter programs, and spay/neuter equipment programs.

Donations from the community can also be found through corporate matching programs, sponsorships, and benefit events.
Establish a Location

If you are going to operate a stand-alone facility, you need to find a convenient location with enough room to accommodate the necessary surgical equipment and staff.
Equip the Facility

Veterinarians may be willing to donate old equipment, so it always is a good idea to ask vets in the area if they have anything they are no longer using. Necessary items include a surgery table, lighting, surgical instruments, autoclave, gowns and gloves, surgical drapes, anesthesia equipment, cages, drugs, and a refrigerator for drug storage.

It is also possible to get group discounts by affiliating with a major national organization such as the National Spay Neuter Response Team (NSNRT), a part of the Humane Alliance.
Hire Staff

A clinic needs at least one vet, a few technicians, and someone to work the front office (checking in patients and making appointments). Another option is to hire multiple part time vets who just work one or two days of the schedule each week. Volunteers from the community can also be utilized for support staff.
Set Fees

Most low cost clinics try to offer their services at a rate of 50 to 60 percent below the cost charged by a commercial vet clinic. The low cost clinic must factor in what it costs to “break even” with regard to supplies, salaries, and other costs of doing business. A general range of $35 to $75, depending on the type of animal and its gender, would be typical.
Create an Application

Owners must demonstrate their eligibility for low-cost services by detailing their financial situation and number of pets on the application form. A payment plan should also be outlined with deadlines.
Advertise Your Services

It shouldn’t take a whole lot of advertising to find potential clients for your spay/neuter clinic. Be sure to let local rescue groups and shelters know that you have established a new clinic in their area. Local publications, websites, and television stations may also be willing to provide coverage of your new program.