Since our inception, Prairie’s Edge Humane Society has stressed the importance of spaying and neutering-the nonlethal solution to pet overpopulation.

We were the first animal shelter in Minnesota to require sterilization of all animals before adoption, and we offer unique programs to help pet owners spay and neuter their own animals.

PEHS Spay/Neuter Initiative

The PEHS shelter occasionally has grant funds available for low cost/income-qualified spay/neuter surgery for your pets.  Please call the shelter at 507-334-7117 for program availability and information.  Funding for these programs is not always available, qualified applicants will be put on a waiting list.

Please call the shelter at 507-334-7117 to discuss qualifications.

Just Cause Four Paws Clinic

 A low cost program for income qualified families to spay/neuter outdoor cats.

This program will decrease the number of kittens coming into the world un-intentionally and increase the quality of life for the cats that live outside.  To qualify for the Outside Cat Spay/Neuter Program, you will need to meet the following requirements.

The cats you wish to have altered live outside only and are provided food, water and shelter by you on a regular basis.

You will pay $50.00 per cat (covers surgery and a rabies vaccination) you wish to have altered under this program.

The feline distemper vaccination is optional and will be an additional $10.00 per cat. (Vaccinations for distemper are strongly suggested.)

You must meet the following household income requirements.  Show a combined household income of $40,000 or less by providing one of the following:  Most recent income tax return, or proof of participation in Food Stamps, Medicaid, free or reduced lunch program-public schools, social security disability, Minnesota Care or Medical Assistance, WIC, major VA Disability, TANF or unemployment.

Some common concerns in regards to Spay/Neuter of outside cats:

At what age can the cats be altered? Kittens may be altered after they reach 2 pounds, which is usually after 8 –9 weeks.  Adult cats may be altered anytime.  Females may be spayed during early pregnancy. One unspayed female may be responsible for 100 more kittens in 18 months if not spayed.

Many of your cats may look the same or are too wild to handle, how do we alter those?  Ear-Tipping: This is a technique of removing the top corner of the cat’s left ear.  This is done while the cat is under anesthesia for its spay/neuter, so there is no pain.  The “tipped” ear is the universal symbol showing a cat has been through a spay/neuter program. This makes it possible for caretakers to differentiate between cats that have already been sterilized and ones that have not been sterilized.  Ear tipping also ensures that a cat will not undergo unnecessary repeat surgery.

All cats are required to be brought into the clinic in a live trap.  They will be sent home in the trap, which will allow you to open the door and let them out. There will be a $50 deposit per trap.   This will be returned to you when the trap is returned to the shelter.

What about stitches?  Stitches (sutures) are only used on the females, and are absorbable, so there will be no need to remove them later.