Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic FAQ
We've gathered the questions we hear most often about our clinic. If you don't see your answer here, please contact us so we can help.
About Our Clinic
Who can use the clinic?
Everyone! Our clinic is open to all pet families. You don't need to have adopted from the Peterborough Humane Society to book with us.
Do I need to share proof of income?
No. Our clinic is open and accessible to everyone. We don't add extra hurdles or ask you to prove financial need to access our services.
Do I have to live in Peterborough to book?
No. We welcome pet families from anywhere.
What animals do you see?
We see cats and dogs for both wellness appointments and spay/neuter surgery.
Where are you located?
We're at 1999 Technology Drive in Peterborough. The clinic entrance is on the left side of the building. Our shelter entrance is on the right, under the overhang.
Is this the same as having a family vet?
Not quite. We're a high-volume clinic focused on preventative care like wellness exams, vaccines, and spay/neuter surgery. We're not a primary care practice, so we're not set up for ongoing care with repeat visits over time. If your pet has special medical needs or you'd like advice specific to their health history, your regular veterinarian or a full-service clinic will be best equipped to help.
Is the clinic open year round?
Yes. Appointments can be booked anytime. We also run off-site rabies and microchip clinics throughout the year, so keep an eye on our events calendar for those.
Booking & Payment
How do I book an appointment?
You can book your spay/neuter or wellness appointment online anytime. Follow the prompts and fill in all the requested information, including your full name and contact details. If you're unable to book online, please call or email us and share as much information as you can about you and your pet so we can help you quickly.
How do I know my appointment is officially booked?
After you book, you'll get an email letting you know your request has been received and is pending. Our team confirms each appointment by hand, and we aim to do this within 3 to 4 business days. Once it's confirmed, you'll receive your consent forms and an invoice with your payment details. Please keep an eye on your junk folder!
Read your consent forms fully and carefully, since they include instructions for your pet's appointment.
If you haven't received consent forms and an invoice, your appointment isn't officially confirmed yet.
I don't see the date I want. What should I do?
New appointments open on a rolling basis. If you're booking ahead and don't see your date yet, check back the following day.
Why is it harder to book an appointment for a large dog?
Larger dogs need more space and time, so we can only take a limited number of large dog appointments each day. If we're fully booked, check back often or give us a call. Spots do open up.
How does payment work?
All appointments require a deposit, and full payment must be made before your appointment. Once our team confirms your booking, we'll send your invoice through PayPal with all the details, and you can pay directly through it.
If you'd prefer to pay by e-transfer, please send it to [email protected] with your pet's name in the message. Make sure the name on the transfer matches the name on your file so your payment is processed properly.
Do you offer payment plans?
Our clinic runs on a not-for-profit model, and you can view all our fees on our clinic pricing and services page. If you'd like to set up a payment plan, please contact the clinic and we'll talk through your options. Payment is still due before your appointment.
Does my pet need a rabies vaccine?
Yes, a rabies vaccine is required for all appointments. Please bring proof of your pet's rabies vaccination. If you don't have proof, we can vaccinate your pet at the clinic for an additional fee.
Is there a cancellation fee?
A cancellation and admin fee may apply. You'll find the current fee on our clinic pricing and services page.
What if I can't get through on the phone?
We know that can be frustrating. We're a small team running a busy clinic, so we ask that you send a message through our contact form, or leave a voicemail rather than calling repeatedly. Every message receives a response.
Wellness Exams & Services
What does a wellness exam include?
A wellness exam is a full checkup done with a DVM present, alongside an RVT or VA. It's much like the checkup you'd get from your own family doctor. The DVM listens to your pet's heart and lungs and takes their temperature. They'll look at your pet's eyes and ears and check their teeth, then finish with a nose-to-tail body check, feeling for lumps or anything unusual. It's a great way to catch small concerns before they become bigger ones.
What services do you offer?
You can add services to either a wellness appointment or a spay/neuter surgery. Vaccines include rabies, DHPP, Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, FVRCP, and Feline Leukemia. We also offer deworming, flea and tick prevention, 24-hour flea treatment, microchipping, and 4DX snap testing for heartworm and tick-borne illnesses. Surgical patients can also have pre-anesthetic bloodwork.
You can request these when you book or at drop-off on the day of your visit. For current fees, visit our clinic pricing and services page.
Dental Care
Do you offer dental cleanings?
Yes. Our dental cleanings are complete procedures done under sedation. Each cleaning includes scaling below the gumline and polishing, along with dental radiographs so the team can see what's happening beneath the surface.
Who performs dental cleanings?
Cleanings are carried out by an RVT under the direct supervision of the DVM. Any extractions are always performed by the DVM. This mirrors how dental care is delivered at full service veterinary clinics.
How do I book a dental cleaning?
All dental appointments are referred through our wellness appointments. Please book online or contact our clinic for assistance.
Spay/Neuter Surgery
What's the difference between a spay and a neuter?
A spay (ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy) is performed on female cats and dogs. A neuter (orchidectomy) is performed on male cats and dogs. Please make sure you book under the right service for your pet's species and sex.
When is the best time to spay or neuter my pet?
It depends on the individual animal. Our clinic team isn't able to advise on timing, so this is a great conversation to have with your regular veterinarian.
Is there any reason my pet would be declined for surgery?
We can only perform surgery on animals in good health. If your pet has a health concern like an infection or a significant heart murmur, we'll ask you to follow up with your regular veterinarian first. Pets who can't be safely handled by our staff may also be declined.
My pet has anxiety or doesn't do well in a kennel. What should I know?
All pets are admitted in the morning and stay in kennels until pick-up in the afternoon. They may be housed near other animals who bark, hiss, or make noise. We do our best to help anxious pets feel comfortable, but every patient must be kenneled during their stay. If you're worried about how your pet will handle this, a full-service veterinary clinic may be able to offer more individualized support.
Do you offer pre-anesthetic bloodwork?
Yes. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork can be added when you book your surgery. You can learn more in our blog post on why pre-anesthetic bloodwork matters, and find the current fee on our clinic pricing and services page.
When do I drop off and pick up my pet?
All pets must be dropped off at 7:30 am on the day of surgery. Dogs are ready for pick-up at 3:30 pm and cats at 4:30 pm.
We run on a carefully timed schedule so we can safely care for every patient, which means we can't accommodate late arrivals. Please plan ahead, check driving conditions, and give yourself plenty of time.
What happens at drop-off?
Please bring cats to the clinic's front entrance, on the left side of the building, in a secure carrier. Dogs come to the back entrance on a suitable leash, and we ask that you give other clients some space while you wait. For your pet's safety, we can't accept cats without a carrier, and dogs must be leashed.
Our team will greet you, confirm your information, and check whether you'd like any extra services. Please share a phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and have your pet's proof of rabies vaccination ready.
What happens at pick-up?
Please come to the clinic's front entrance for all pick-ups. Our team will go over your pet's post-surgery care instructions with you, and your pet will go home with three days of pain medication.
We strongly encourage reading the post-surgery care instructions before your appointment so you're ready for your pet's recovery at home. We also recommend a cone or recovery suit to keep your pet from licking their incision. These are available for purchase at the clinic, and you can request one when you book.
Will my pet need a recheck appointment?
We don't book rechecks unless you have a specific concern about your pet's recovery. If something doesn't seem right, please call or email us to set up an appointment.
What if I'm worried about my pet after surgery?
Please call us at 705-775-9034 rather than sending a message, so we can help you right away. Outside clinic hours, please contact your regular veterinarian or one of the emergency clinics listed below.
Are Fleming College RVT students involved in caring for my pet?
Fleming College RVT students work with shelter animals. Any student involvement with the public's animals will always be shared with you in advance through our consent forms, the same way you'd be told if a medical student were joining an appointment at your own doctor's office.
Emergency Veterinary Clinics
Cavan Hills Veterinary Services
303 ON-7A, Cavan, ON L0A 1C0
(705) 270-0800
Kawartha Veterinary Emergency Clinic
1840 Lansdowne St, Peterborough, ON K9K 2M9
(705) 741-5832
Port Hope Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Services
6597 Dale Rd, Port Hope, ON L1A 3V6
(905) 885-5321
404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital
510 Harry Walker Parkway South, Newmarket
(905) 953-1933
Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH)
21 Rolark Dr, Scarborough
(416) 247-8387
Toronto Animal Health Partners Emergency and Specialty Hospital
1 Scarsdale Road, North York
(416) 380-7400
