Animal Hospital

The GTHS Animal Hospital provides spays and neuters for healthy pets, on an appointment basis. Owners may request additional services when their animal is booked in for surgery, please see below for all additional services provided.

The GTHS Animal Hospital currently does not provide pre-anesthetic bloodwork – please book surgery with your primary veterinarian if you require pre-anesthetic bloodwork.

In order for your pet to be eligible for surgery they must meet the following criteria: 

• 3 months old – 8 years old
• In good health, with no chronic medical conditions
• Not currently on medications (apart from monthly preventatives)
• In good body condition – not overweight. Please review this body condition chart.
• Female dogs should not be in heat. Please wait 8 weeks from signs of heat before booking a spay appointment.
• Maximum weight of 100 pounds. An extra fee of $30 applies for dogs over 80 pounds.
• Using the honour system, you must self-identify as being a financially limited pet owner. We reserve the right to request proof of income, if necessary.

The GTHS Animal Hospital is one of the only accessible spay/neuter hospitals serving Bruce, Grey, and part of Simcoe County.  To help keep families together, the GTHS offers financial assistance to the owners of pets who are unable to afford veterinary expenses associated with a medical procedure or emergency.

Our veterinary services offer subsidized and discounted rates for individuals currently receiving income supplementation from:

• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP); or
• Ontario Works (OW); or
• And or, Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS); or
• Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D); or
• Possess a Certificate of Indigenous Status (CIS)

In order to qualify for subsidized pricing, proof of eligibility (as noted above) must be uploaded under the “list of documents” section when booking your appointment. 

By spaying or neutering your pet, you are helping to reduce the overpopulation of dogs and cats in your area and assisting to minimize the number of stray or unwanted animals in your community.  

Spaying or neutering doesn’t only prevent unwanted pregnancies, it also has health and behaviour benefits for your pet! Neutering may decreases aggressive behaviours in males; male dogs are less likely to bite, attack or get into dog fights, while male cats are less likely to mark/“spray” and get into cat fights.

Spaying females ends the heat cycle. Female cats can go into heat every 3 weeks – they may attempt to escape to mate or urinate inappropriately. Female dogs can have two heat cycles per year – behavioural changes can occur during heat, such as aggression.

Studies show that spayed/neutered pets, on average, live longer. Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus) and reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate problems in male dogs.

As a provider of spay and neuter services, we do not assume the role of a primary veterinarian. We recommend that all owners establish a relationship with a veterinarian for continuing care of their animals. 

A full refund will be issued if you cancel 14 days prior to your set surgery/appointment date. If it is less than 14 days to your surgery date, a refund will be issued if we can refill your surgery spot. If your dog goes into heat within a month of your surgery date, please call to rebook your appointment. The GTHS will not provide refunds for owners who have not followed the pre-surgical instructions – animals will be declined for surgery if not fasted, or do not fit our eligibility criteria. 

Pets who are 5 months or older must be fasted the night before surgery, please remove food at 8pm the night before surgery. Always provide water for your pet. Pets who are less than 4 months old may have ½ of their breakfast the morning of surgery.   

Note: If your dog goes into heat in the month leading up to surgery, please call us immediately to rebook your dog’s spay. Any dogs in heat will not be accepted for surgery.

You will be provided with a check-in time prior to your appointment. It is important that you arrive on-time, anyone arriving 15 minutes past their set check-in time will not be accepted for surgery. We ask that you please arrive at the GTHS Animal Hospital with your pet on a leash or in a carrier, follow signage and remain in your car once arriving. If you have any concerns about your pet’s behavourial traits (ex. aggression, fear), please notify us during intake. 

You will be provided with a pick-up time prior to your appointment. Upon discharge, you will be provided with post-op instructions. If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call (705) 445-5204 ext. 223. If there is an emergency after hours, please contact your nearest emergency clinic.

Please click here to view a video regarding what to expect after your pet’s surgery provided by the San Francisco SPCA. 

New Booking window for January, February, and March 2024 will open on 06 December at 9am.

Once your appointment request has been reviewed and the appointment is booked, you will receive a confirmation email. Please read the confirmation email closely, as it will contain important information such as location, pick up/drop off times, payment instructions, and drop off instructions. Please allow up to 5 business days to receive your confirmation. 

PAYMENT: Payment will be due in advance, no later than 2 weeks prior to the appointment. Payment can be made by credit card or visa/mastercard debit over the phone, or in person by cash or debit.

We are unable to maintain a wait list at this time, however you can regularly check for cancellations by clicking “book now” below. Any available appointments will be visible once you enter the species, weight (in kilograms) and gender. 

*Please note that some of our pricing has changed. See the fee schedule!