Spay and neuter costs have increased at least 50% at the county’s Pet Wellness Clinic.
At a glance
Harris County commissioners approved fee increases for the county Pet Wellness Clinic during its business court meeting Aug. 25. The increases will impact spay and neutering services, vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention medicines and nail trimming, among others.
Spaying will increase 212% for dogs and 87% for cats, bringing starting costs to $125 and $75, respectively. Neutering will increase 150% for dogs and 50% for cats, bringing starting costs to $100 and $60, respectively.
In a statement, Harris County Public Health said the clinic’s price increases are because of “rising costs for medical supplies, medicines and staff.”
“We carefully benchmarked our fees against other regional low-cost pet wellness providers to stay affordable, and aligned our pricing and services with the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter (BARC), so residents receive the same services at the same price at both locations,” the statement read.
Sorting out details
In April, Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office invested $300,000 to increase access to low-cost spay and neuter surgeries in Precinct 3, as Community Impact previously reported. The mobile clinic offers spay or neuter surgeries for $20 and will visit its last location Sept. 27-30.
So far this year, the Pet Wellness Clinic has spayed and neutered 2,070 dogs and 2,301 cats, according to county data available from January to July. Last year, the clinic spayed and neutered 6,617 animals.
The cost increase comes as the clinic seeks to maintain quality and accessible care, HCPH said in a statement.
Before the price adjustment, costs to provide services were “significantly below market averages,” according to agenda documents.
“The 2026 pricing update aims to enhance service delivery, improve patient outcomes and support the clinic’s mission of promoting pet health and wellness in Harris County,” an agenda document read.
