Click below to find out about the

WAG SPAY AND NEUTER FUND

WAG FANS

Financial

Assistance for

Neuter and

Spay

The purpose of the WAG Financial Assistance for Spay and Neuter Program is to make spay and neuter services more financially accessible to low income residents of Whistler, Pemberton, and Mount Currie. This program is made possible through a partnership between Coast Mountain Veterinary Services and WAG.

Spaying and neutering is the most effective, efficient and humane method of controlling pet populations and eliminating the flow of homeless and unwanted animals into the shelter. 

This program will provide pet owners with financial assistance to make spaying and neutering affordable. The program is aimed at assisting residents most in need: low income and those on social assistance.

Our local veterinarian has reduced their fees for the program. The client covers a portion of the cost, and the balance is covered by WAG, through fundraising and donations to the WAG spay and neuter fund.

Please do not jeopardize this program and our relationship with our veterinarian by applying if you do not qualify financially.  There are many Sea to Sky residents whose pets could not be spayed or neutered if it were not for this program.  Please do not abuse this program but help keep it alive for those who really need it!  If you are not sure you qualify or you have a special circumstance, please call us at (604) 935-8364 to see if we can help you.

Applications are available at WAG, Coast Mountain Veterinary Hospital, Pemberton Veterinary Hospital and the Mount Currie Band Office. Completed Applications can be mailed to WAG, dropped off at the shelter or faxed to WAG, along with copies of required docomentation.

Approved applicants will be notified by WAG and provided with an approval number. The owner is then responsible for booking their surgery date with the veterinary clinic and providing their approval number to the clinic at the time of booking.  Clients will then be required to pay their fee to the clinic at that time of dropping off their pet (not at the time of pick up) Participating clinics are Coast Mountain Veterinary Services (Whistler) and Pemberton Veterinary Hospital (Pemberton). The clinic will then bill WAG monthly for its portion of the fees.

What is included in the program?

●presurgical examination

●Pre-anesthetic injection

●Induction/intubation

●anesthetic (inhalant)

●spay/neuter

●post surgical monitoring

Absorbable sutures will be used so that clients will not need to bring their pet back to the clinic for suture removal. Bucket collars may be purchased from the vet clinic or rented from WAG.

What is not included in the program?

●pre-operative blood screen

●vaccinations

●Additional charges for pregnant females/females in heat

●post-operative pain medication

●other procedures, tests, treatments

●follow-up veterinary care should it be necessary

Pet owners are responsible for transporting their pet to and from the veterinary hospital.

What are the fees?

Fees for clients will vary with the gender, age, and size of your pet. The following is guideline of fees only and fees may be changed at any time:

Canine Neuter   $53-60

Canine Spay     $62-85 (additional charges may apply to pregnant        females or females in heat)

Feline Neuter     $34

Feline Spay       $52-62

Eligibility of Animals

Spaying and neutering can now be safely performed on cats and dogs as young as 8 weeks. WAG and its partner veterinarians have been performing such prepubescent spaying and neutering on shelter animals for many years now with excellent results. Concerns regarding obesity, stunted growth, underdevelopment of secondary sex characteristics, behavioural problems, and increased incidents of lower urinary tract disease and urinary incontinence have found to be unwarranted. Prepubescent spaying and neutering is less stressful for the animal and the animal has a faster recovery period. Puppies must weigh at least 4 kg and kittens must weigh at least 1 kg in order to safely undergo surgery.

The veterinarian will perform an examination on each animal prior to surgery. In cases of ill health, injury etc. the veterinarian may elect not to perform surgery at that time.

What are the criteria for qualification?

Eligibility is based upon gross family income. Statistics Canada Low-income cut-offs are used, but adjusted for Whistler and area. Applicants are asked to provide a copy of their latest Tax Return Information Summary Sheet, as well as three months worth of current pay stubs. Applicants in other circumstances such as illness are also invited to provide supporting documentation.   

● Applicants must reside within the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Village of Pemberton, Mount Currie, or the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (with the exception of the District of Squamish)

● Applicants must have resided within the above mentioned areas for a minimum of 6 months at the time of application

Your participation in this program is strictly voluntary.  WAG assumes no risk for the health of your pet or for the outcome of the surgery. WAG reserves the right to cancel or modify this program at any time. This program is offered on the basis of funds being available, thus WAG may not be able to offer spay and neuter assistance at all times.

Let WAG help you to help save lives!