Home About Us Mission and History Why Spay and Neuter Meet Our Staff Fix Your Pet Eligibility Requirements Standard Services Pre-Operative Instructions Post-Operative Instructions Feral Cats Follow A Patient A Typical Day at Operation PETS What to Bring to Appointment Emergency Contacts FAQ'S Great Links Donate News   ADDRESS Operation PETS 3443 South Park Ave Blasdell, NY 14219 Phone: 716.783.8998 Fax: 716.783.8099 Map Link APPOINTMENTS Our appointment line is open 10am-4pm Monday-Thursday DIRECTIONS FACEBOOK CAT ELIGIBILITY DOG ELIGIBILITY RESCUE GROUP & SHELTER ELIGIBILITY MADDIE'S PROJECT FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS MADDIE'S SPAY NEUTER PROJECT FOR FERALS MADDIE'S COMMUNITY STATISTICS ASPCA ON TARGET GRANT ELIGIBILITY STANDARD SERVICES BEFORE SURGERY AFTER SURGERY FERAL CATS - TNVR MEET OUR STAFF TYPICAL DAY AT OPERATION PETS FOLLOW "PENNY" A TYPICAL PATIENT OUR WISH LIST THANK YOU CONTACT US   Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT US DO I HAVE TO QUALIFY TO USE YOUR CLINIC? WHAT DAYS ARE YOU OPEN? WHY DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF HIGH QUALITY? WHY ARE YOUR SURGERY FEES SO LOW? WHY SPAY/NEUTER WHAT IS SPAY/NEUTER? WHY SHOULD I SPAY OR NEUTER MY PET? IS SPAY OR NEUTER SURGERY PAINFUL? CAN IT HARM MY DOG OR CAT? WILL MY PET’S BEHAVIOR CHANGE AFTER SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY? WILL MY PET BECOME FAT AFTER SPAY/NEUTER? WILL NEUTERING PREVENT MY CAT FROM SPRAYING? SERVICES HOW OLD DOES MY PET HAVE TO BE FOR SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY? DO YOU PROVIDE VETERINARY SERVICES OTHER THAN SPAY/NEUTER? CAN I BRING MY PET FOR JUST VACCINATIONS? DOES MY PET HAVE TO BE VACCINATED PRIOR TO ITS APPOINTMENT? DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS? DO YOU SPAY/NEUTER FERAL CATS? DO YOU MICROCHIP? DO YOU DECLAW? DO YOU CHARGE EXTRA FOR SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS? IN HEAT OR PREGNANT SHOULD FEMALE ANIMALS BE SPAYED PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST HEAT CYCLE? WHEN DO ANIMALS FIRST GO INTO HEAT? WHAT ARE THE SIGNS MY CAT/DOG IS IN HEAT? HOW LONG DO HEAT CYCLES LAST? HOW OFTEN DO ANIMALS GO INTO HEAT? CAN ANIMAL BE SPAYED DURING HEAT CYCLE? IS IT HEALTHIER FOR MY PET TO HAVE ONE LITTER BEFORE BEING SPAYED? SHOULD I LET MY PET HAVE A LITTER SO CHILDREN CAN WITNESS THE BIRTH? CAN ANIMAL BE SPAYED IF IT IS PREGNANT? CAN ANIMALS BECOME PREGNANT DURING THEIR HEAT CYCLE? CAN ANIMALS BECOME PREGNANT BY THEIR SIBLINGS? HOW LONG DOES PREGNANCY LAST? HOW LONG AFTER DELIVERING KITTENS/PUPPIES CAN ANIMAL BE SPAYED? DAY BEFORE SURGERY CAN ANIMALS HAVE FOOD OR WATER THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY? DAY OF SURGERY WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE THERE IN THE MORNING? WHAT TIME DO I PICK MY PET UP? WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING THE MORNING OF MY APPOINTMENT? DO YOU PERFORM AN EXAM ON MY PET BEFORE SURGERY? DO YOU USE ANESTHESIA? DO YOU USE PAIN MEDICATION? DO YOU USE LICENSED VETERINARIANS? AFTER SURGERY WHAT IS THAT EXTRA GREEN INCISION? WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD LIKE? DO I NEED TO BRING MY PET BACK TO HAVE STITCHES REMOVED? SHOULD I BE WORRIED THAT MY PET IS LICKING THE INCISION? WHAT SHOULD I DO TO KEEP MY PET FROM LICKING HIS INCISION? WHAT IF I NOTICE SOMETHING UNUSUAL OR HAVE A PROBLEM AFTER SURGERY? Q. DO I HAVE TO QUALIFY TO USE YOUR CLINIC? Yes. Our services are only provided to clients that meet our eligibility requirements. Please check our eligibility requirements before calling for an appointment. Q. WHAT DAYS ARE YOU OPEN? We are open Monday-Thursday. Q. WHY DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF HIGH QUALITY? We have the highest regard and concern for the animals in our care and treat each animal as if it was one of ours. We perform sterilizations in a humane manner and strive to keep stress, pain, and the risk of complications as minimal as possible. Our veterinarians are licensed in the State of New York and are highly experienced and skilled in high-quality and high-volume surgical techniques. Our licensed veterinary technicians are our "surgical nurses". They assist the doctor and help make sure the animals are well cared for. Our instruments and supplies meet the highest standards. Each surgery is performed with an individually autoclaved (steam-sterilized) surgical pack. No instruments are reused without sterilization. Our patients are anesthetized with safe anesthetic agents. They receive anesthetic monitoring via pulse oximetry which measures heart rate and oxygen levels. Animals receives pain medication before they feel any pain. All patients receive pain medication before surgery and prior to release. Q. WHY ARE YOUR SURGERY FEES SO LOW? One of the reasons our costs are low is because we are not a full service clinic. Our focus is on spaying and neutering. We do not have, nor are we paying for, many of the diagnostic and treatment equipment and supplies found in a full service veterinary hospital. Q. WHAT IS SPAY/NEUTER? The word “spay” refers to the sterilization of female pets. The term “neuter” is more commonly used to refer to the castration of male pets. In female dogs and cats, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall. In male dogs and cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. Q. WHY SHOULD I SPAY OR NEUTER MY PET? Spay/neuter packs a powerful punch in the fight against pet overpopulation. Millions of cats and dogs are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. This is the tragic result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. Your spayed female won't go into heat. Unneutered cats mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine. Your male dog won't need to roam away from home. Your pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying a female helps prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus). Spaying a female helps prevent breast cancer, which is often fatal. Neutering a male prevents testicular cancer and prostate diseases. Your pet will be much better behaved. Q. IS SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY PAINFUL? CAN IT HARM MY DOG OR CAT? During spay or neuter surgery, cats and dogs are fully anesthetized, so they feel no pain. Afterwards, most animals seem to experience some discomfort, but signs of discomfort disappear within a few days, and with pain management medication, pain may not be experienced at all. Serious harm as a result of spay/neuter surgery is extremely rare. Q. WILL MY PET’S BEHAVIOR CHANGE AFTER SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY? Spay/neuter will not alter your pet’s basic personality. It can result in some behavior changes – for the better! Pets may be less aggressive, more relaxed, and more focused on you. Freed from the urge to mate, cats and dogs tend to be calmer and more content after spaying or neutering. Spayed or neutered pets are more, not less, likely to show affection toward their human companions. A neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an unneutered dog. Q. WILL MY PET BECOME FAT AFTER SPAY/NEUTER? Just like people, pets become overweight when they eat too much and/or exercise too little. An appropriate diet and sufficient activity will keep your pet slender and healthy. Q. WILL NEUTERING PREVENT MY CAT FROM SPRAYING? Urine marking is most common in unneutered males. Unneutered males usually start spraying or "marking their territory" when they reach sexual maturity (about 6 months). Male cats in multi-cat households or in close proximity to other cats may spray at a younger age. It's best to neuter males before they reach sexual maturity and before they start spraying. If a cat has started spraying neutering may help. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the hormones to subside after the neutering so you may not notice an immediate difference. Q. HOW OLD DOES MY PET HAVE TO BE FOR SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY? Cats must be at least 12 weeks old and weigh three pounds. Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old. We do not provide sterilization services for animals over five years old. Q. DO YOU PROVIDE VETERINARY SERVICES OTHER THAN SPAY/NEUTER? No. We specialize in spay/neuter surgeries. If your pet is already spayed or neutered you will need to visit a full service veterinary clinic for vaccines and other wellness services. Q. CAN I BRING MY PET FOR JUST VACCINATIONS? No, we only offer vaccinations for our surgery patients. Q. DOES MY PET HAVE TO BE VACCINATED PRIOR TO ITS APPOINTMENT? For your pet's protection we recommend dogs have their DA2PPV (parvo-distemper) vaccine prior to appointment. (Note: vaccine takes two weeks to take effect). If your pet is not vaccinated we will vaccinate at time of surgery. Q. DO YOU CHARGE EXTRA FOR SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS? Additional fees may be required for non-routine surgical procedures that require longer or more involved surgery, such as: • Dogs over 65 lbs. • Obese animals • Pregnant • In heat • Cryptorchid (undescended testicles) • Pyometra (pus-filled uterus) • Umbilical hernia repair Q. DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS? Everyone who uses our clinic receives the lowest price that we are able to offer. There are no additional discounts to rescue groups or shelters. Q. DO YOU SPAY/NEUTER FERAL CATS? Yes. Operation PETS works with many local residents and organizations to spay and neuter feral cats through a Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return (TNVR) program. Q. DO YOU MICROCHIP? Yes, if requested we will implant a microchip at the time of surgery. There is a fee to do this. If you bring your own microchip we will implant it for free at the time of surgery. Q. DO YOU DECLAW? No, absolutely not! Declawing is a controversial elective surgical procedure. Declawing is amputation of a cat’s toes at the last joint. A portion of the bone (not only the nail) is removed. Declawing is the equivalent to a person losing the entire tip of every finger at the first knuckle. After the surgical wounds have healed there are often permanent physical and psychological complications. Declawing can destroy the bond between a pet owner and pet. There are much kinder solutions than declawing: 1) Provide your pet with an appropriate scracthing post. Read More..."How to Choose a Scratching Post" 2) Trim your cat’s nails on a regular basis – it can really make a difference. If claws are kept blunt, a cat that strays from the scratching post will do little to no damage. Read More..."How to Give a Cat a Manicure" We suggest you do some research before you decide to have this controversial surgery. For more information on declawing from our friends at HEART Animal Rescue & Adoption Team Read More..."You Can't Declaw With Love" Q. SHOULD FEMALE ANIMALS BE SPAYED PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST HEAT CYCLE? Yes, to greatly reduce the chance for mammary cancer. Q. WHEN DO ANIMALS FIRST GO INTO HEAT? Cats normally go into heat around six months of age but it can be as early as five months of age. It varies for dogs. Small breed dogs can be 6 months. Larger breed dogs are usually later – on average between 6-12 months of age. Q. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS MY CAT/DOG IS IN HEAT? Your cat will be more affectionate. When you’re petting her, she may raise her hind end in the air, get low to the ground, and purr like crazy. She will begin calling. This yowling can go on around the clock. She will lift her tail and sprays urine on vertical objects, like walls, doors and furniture rather than on the floor or carpet. For dogs, the vulva swells and there is a bloody vaginal discharge. Q. HOW LONG DO HEAT CYCLES LAST? Cats - Usually about 7 days; Dogs - Usually about 9 days. Q. HOW OFTEN DO ANIMALS GO INTO HEAT? Cats can be as often as every 2-3 weeks. Dogs usually twice a year - every 6-8 months. Q. CAN ANIMAL BE SPAYED DURING HEAT CYCLE? Yes, but there may be an extra charge. Q. IS IT HEALTHIER FOR MY PET TO HAVE ONE LITTER BEFORE BEING SPAYED? No, females spayed prior to their first heat cycle are at less risk for breast tumors. Q. SHOULD I LET MY PET HAVE A LITTER SO MY CHILDREN CAN WITNESS THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH? No, absolutely not. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth. Q. CAN ANIMAL BE SPAYED IF IT IS PREGNANT? Yes. The sooner you can bring them in, the better. There may be an extra charge. Q. CAN ANIMALS BECOME PREGNANT DURING THEIR HEAT CYCLE? Yes. Q. CAN ANIMALS BECOME PREGNANT BY THEIR SIBLINGS? Yes, they can create their own litters. You don’t want that to happen. Q. HOW LONG DOES PREGNANCY LAST? Cats usually 64 days; Dogs usually 65 days. Q. HOW LONG AFTER DELIVERING KITTENS/PUPPIES CAN AN ANIMAL BE SPAYED? Ten weeks. Puppies and kittens should be 8 weeks of age and must be eating and drinking on their own prior to their mother's surgery. Be sure that lactating animals do not nurse for at least two weeks before the day of their surgery. Q. CAN ANIMALS HAVE FOOD OR WATER THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY? Adult Animals: All animals over four months must have food withdrawn the night before surgery at 12:00 midnight. This will ensure that the animals's stomach has emptied by the time he's put under general anesthesia. This lessens the chances that your pet will vomit and aspirate the vomit into his lungs. If your pet has eaten on the morning of surgery, we will refuse surgery. Do not withhold water prior to surgery. Pediatric Animals: Animals four months or younger should have food available until 6:00AM on the morning of surgery to avoid decreased blood sugar level. Do not withhold water prior to surgery. Q. WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE THERE IN THE MORNING? We check-in all patients at the same time. We have a very strict surgical schedule that must be followed so it is very important that you arrive on time. If you are late we may need to re-schedule your appointment. Plan to be here 20-30 minutes in the morning. Q. WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR DISCHARGE? This is same day surgery. We discharge all patients at the same time as a group. It's very important that you arrive on time. Plan to be here 20-30 minutes. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies at the clinic there may be a longer wait upon discharge. Q. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING THE MORNING OF MY APPOINTMENT? IF YOU ARE BRINGING A CAT... 1) Eligibility Documentation (see required documentation) 2) If your pet has current vaccination records please bring them. If your pet has a current rabies vaccine, we need to see the actual rabies certificate. 3) Cats must be in a clean secure pet carrier commercially manufactured for the purpose of transporting cats. We do not accept cats in cardboard boxes, plastic totes, laundry baskets, or other non-standard or homemade devices. 4) Cats must be in separate carriers. If you have multiple cats in one carrier when you arrive, you will be asked to transfer your cat(s) to one of our cardboard carriers to go home ($5.00 each). 5) Payment: We accept cash, credit or debit card (no personal checks). IF YOU QUALIFY FOR MADDIE'S SPAY/NEUTER PROJECT FOR CATS... 1) Eligibility Documentation...(see required documentation) 2) If your pet has current vaccination records please bring them. If your pet has a current rabies vaccine, we need to see the actual rabies certificate. 3) Cats must be in a clean secure pet carrier commercially manufactured for the purpose of transporting cats. We do not accept cats in cardboard boxes, plastic totes, laundry baskets, or other non-standard or homemade devices. 4) Cats must be in separate carriers. If you have multiple cats in one carrier when you arrive, you will be asked to transfer your cat(s) to one of our cardboard carriers to go home ($5.00 each). 5) Payment: We accept cash, credit or debit card IF YOU ARE BRINGING A DOG... 1) Eligibility Documentation (see required documentation) 2) Dogs must be under control on a leash or in a pet carrier. 3) If your pet has current vaccination records please bring them. If your pet has a current rabies vaccine, we need to see the actual rabies certificate. 4) Payment: We accept cash, credit or debit card (no personal checks). Q. DO YOU PERFORM AN EXAM ON MY PET BEFORE SURGERY? Our veterinarians perform a pre-operative physical examination to make sure that your pet is a good candidate for surgery. If your pet is too fractious to handle, a physical exam will be performed under anesthesia. Feral cats get their exam under anesthesia. If your pet is showing signs of illness or if there are any concerns (such as a heart murmur, severe upper respiratory infection, obesity, food in stomach) we may refuse surgery if we feel surgery is a health risk. Q. DO YOU USE ANESTHESIA? Yes, of course we do. The comfort and safety of the animal is important to us. Our patients are anesthetized with safe anesthetic agents. They receive anesthetic monitoring via pulse oximetry which measures heart rate and oxygen levels. Q. DO YOU USE PAIN MEDICATION? Animals receives pain medication before they feel any pain. All patients receive pain medication before surgery and prior to release. Additional pain medication is sent home only if we feel it's necessary. Q. DO YOU USE LICENSED VETERINARIANS? Our veterinarians are licensed in the State of New York and are highly experienced and skilled in high-quality and high-volume surgical techniques. Our licensed veterinary technicians are our "surgical nurses". They assist the doctor and help make sure the animals are well cared for. Q. WHAT IS THAT EXTRA GREEN INCISION? This is a tattoo. All female cats, female dogs, and male dogs receive a small green tattoo on the incision line. This permanently identifies animal as sterilized. Tattoos are generally not placed on male cats. Q. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD LIKE? The recovery period is 7-10 days. You need to restrict your pet's activity and keep him/her indoors. You also need to watch their incision closely. We will give you a complete list of post-op instructions when you pick your pet up. Q. DO I NEED TO BRING MY PET BACK TO HAVE STITCHES REMOVED? Unless you are told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. All sutures are absorbable on the inside. The very outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. If you are told that your pet has skin sutures or skin staples, he/she will need to return in 7-10 days to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures. Q. SHOULD I BE WORRIED THAT PET IS LICKING THE INCISION SITE? Yes. This could cause the wound to re-open and become infected. Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO KEEP MY PET FROM LICKING HIS INCISION? You can buy Bitter Apple or Lickguard (we sell them or you can buy at Walmart/PetSmart). If that doesn’t work, you need an E-collar (we sell them for $10 or you can get at your veterinarian, PetSmart, PETCO). Q. WHAT IF I NOTICE SOMETHING UNUSUAL OR HAVE A PROBLEM AFTER SURGERY? It is VERY important that you follow the after-surgery instructions provided to you at discharge during the post-op period. Please call us immediately if you think your pet is having a problem related to spay/neuter surgery. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. We will make an appointment for you to bring your pet in for us to take a look at it. There is no charge for us to re-check your pet but there may be a minimal cost for medication if needed (such as antibiotics) or an e-collar. If the problem occurs outside of our normal business hours or if there is an emergency when Operation PETS is not open, please call your regular veterinarian or one of the following 24-hour veterinary emergency hospitals for medical assistance. Greater Buffalo Veterinary Services 4949 Main Street, Amherst (716) 839-4043 Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center 3930 North Buffalo Road, Orchard Park (716) 662-6660 Grand Island Animal Hospital 2323 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island (716) 773-7645 BACK TO TOP   ©2009 Operation PETS Website Development and Hosting provided by WNY Web Sites ANIMAL ALLIANCE OF WNY MEMBERS