FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Who are you and what do you do?

We are the Spay/Neuter Alliance & Clinic, or SNAC.  We are a not-for-profit organization, located in Ridgeland, South Carolina, that is dedicated to offering high quality, low cost spays and neuters.  Our ultimate goal is to decrease the number of euthanasia procedures performed by helping to decrease the pet overpopulation.

2.  Who do you serve?

We serve both individuals and organizations in 11 different counties in South Carolina and Georgia.  South Carolina counties include Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper.  Counties in Georgia include Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, and Liberty.

3.  What are your hours of operation?

We are open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 10:30 am.

4.  Are there any financial qualifications to have my pet spayed or neutered at your clinic?

We do not require anyone to meet any type of financial qualification for their pet to be spayed or neutered.  We offer our low cost services to everyone in the hope it will help to control the overwhelming pet population in our area.

5.  How are you able to provide high quality spays and neuters at such a low cost?

We apply for grants and ask for donations to help defray our cost, and then pass those savings on to our clients.  The donations and grants allow us to give your pets the very best in medical care while we have them in our hands.

6.  How does it all work?

We do surgeries on Monday through Thursday.  The pets are dropped off, checked in and the doctor performs an exam on each pet (except for feral/wild animals).  The pets will then receive their pre-medication, have their spay or neuter procedure performed, spend the night, and are released the next day after a check-up exam to make sure everything is in order. 

7.  What do I need to do to prepare my pet to be spayed or neutered?

SNAC does not accept animals under 2 pounds in weight or under 2 months of age.  If you pet is 4 months old or younger, it can receive food and water all night, but it must be removed first thing when you wake in the morning.  If your pet is older than 4 months, it is not to receive any food after 9:00 pm and no water after midnight.  Individuals who chose to bring their animals direct to SNAC must have all cats in carriers, with one cat per carrier, and all dogs must be leashed.  If you are dropping off your animal at a transport location, all dogs and cats must be in their own individual, secure crate or carrier.

8.  What if my pet is wild or stray? (Also, see question 18)

It is important to distinguish between wild and stray.  A stray pet is one that has shown up or been dropped off and is very friendly, able to be handled, and well-socialized.  They can be brought in carriers or on leashes.  A wild/feral animal is one that is not able to be handled or touched easily and is not well-socialized.  If it can be touched “sometimes” or only by one person, it is best to consider this pet wild or feral.  In this case, it must be treated as a feral and we can only perform a surgical procedure when these pets are brought in to the clinic in a trap.  If it is not in a trap, it will be declined and you will be required to bring it back in a trap.

9.  Why do I have to drop off and pick up my pet so early?

Our drop off time is 7:30 am on Mondays and 8:00 am Tuesday through Thursday.  Pets are to be picked back up at 7:30 am the next day, Friday pick ups are at 8:30am.   This gives us time to release the animals that have had surgery the day before, then clean and disinfect the kennels.  This way, the pets arriving for that day’s surgeries will have a freshly cleaned and sanitized bed to sleep in during their stay.  We do require that all animals be checked in by the appropriate time.  Due to the large volume of surgeries performed each day, starting the day in a timely manner is essential.

10.  Why does my pet have to spend the night?

Surgeries are performed throughout the day and into the evening.  We do not know the order in which your pet will be operated on and cannot guarantee that your pet will be recovered by a certain time.  You pet is also given medication that involves pre-medication, surgical induction and pain medication.  This medication makes them very groggy, but allows them a much needed rest after their procedure.  Our staff is trained to observe their post-operative behavior to make sure their recovery is proceeding properly and are trained to alert the doctor if something is abnormal.  Another reason is that if the pet goes home, they very often want to please their owners and make attempts to act happy and excited.  This can hamper their recovery process.  In our presence, they are comfortable just sleeping and resting.

11.  Does my pet receive pain medication?

Yes, all pets receive pain medication prior to their procedure to control their pain when in surgery and during recovery.  Your pet will still be tender near their surgery site and may be a little uncomfortable for the next few days.  All pain medication protocols are reviewed and approved by a veterinarian who is board certified in anesthesiology.

12.  What do I do after I get my pet back?

Please check our discharge instructions page (the link is located on the Forms page) for details about aftercare.  When your pet is returned to you, you will receive individualized discharge instructions.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with other questions.

13.  What about vaccines?

If your pet is current on rabies vaccine, we will need proof at the time of drop-off.  If your pet is not current or you cannot provide proof, we are required to administer the vaccine by law.   The cost of this vaccine is $6.  We do also provide boosters for cats and dogs at the cost of $10.  (If this is the first time ever your pet is receiving this vaccine, it absolutely must be re-boostered in two weeks or it does not take effect.  If it is time for their yearly booster, you will be good for another year.)  If you have a cat that has never been vaccinated, we strongly recommend testing your cat for Feline Leukemia and FIV (we offer these tests for $22).  We will not administer a booster to a cat without having a current negative test on file or proof it is time for your cat’s yearly vaccine.  If we give the booster to your cat and it is positive for Feline Leukemia or FIV, it could cause some very serious problems for your cat.

14.  What about heartworm tests?

We will administer a heartworm test for a cost of $20.  If your pet has not been on heartworm preventative, it is recommended that they be tested and started on Heartguard.  They will need to be retested in six months.  It is possible for your dog to test negative today, and test positive in 6 months.  If your pet has been on a heartworm preventative WITHOUT FAIL every month, you may continue your current heartworm preventative treatment.  We do not sell heartworm preventative so you will need to see your regular veterinarian for the product.

15.  What are the reasons my pet may be declined for surgery?

If your pet has any illness, it may be declined for surgery.  Some examples include (but are not limited to) upper respiratory infection, mange, skin infection, kennel cough, over or underweight, severe dental disease and heart murmurs.  If your pet is currently under any type of treatment, we will decline surgery until the treatment is complete.  If your pet is being treated for a chronic disease, we will ask for a statement from your regular veterinarian saying the condition is chronic and spay/neuter is recommended in the case of your pet.

16.  Can I get boosters or treatment at your clinic?

We only perform spays and neuters.  We do rabies and boosters, but only at the time of their surgical visit.  If your pet requires medical treatment for some other reason or needs boosters, you must follow up with your regular veterinarian.  You will also need to follow up with your regular veterinarian for topical flea and tick treatments as well as heartworm preventative. 

17.  Are there any additional costs for surgery?

There may be additional costs that occur in association with the surgery.  Possible charges are:  $10 if the animal is pregnant, $15 for crypt orchid repair and $15 for umbilical hernia repair.  A crypt orchid is when one or both of the testicles do not “drop” into the scrotal sac and is still in the abdomen.  An umbilical hernia is when the “belly button” does not close entirely at birth, and some of the belly contents squish through the opening.  We permanently close it.

18.  What is your process for ferals/soft ferals?

We require all ferals/soft ferals to be in a trap.  We cannot handle them and therefore cannot remove them from carriers.  They get no physical exam, but we look them over from a safe distance prior to their procedure.  They receive a pre-medication as all other cats, followed by their induction agent at least 30 minutes later.  Once they are “asleep” for their procedure, we remove them from their trap and proceed.  If you have any topical flea agent you would like applied, we do that after their procedure is over.  We also check them for ear mites – we clean their ears and give them a one-time treatment.  They are kept on our recovery blanket until they start to lift their head.  We then return them to their trap where there is a snack waiting on them.  It is strongly recommended that they are tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV prior to surgery.  If they are positive, they can spread these terrible diseases to all other cats they come into contact with and cause widespread infection.   We also tip the ears of all ferals/soft ferals and we administer a 3-year rabies in accordance with the recommendations of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).  The certificate that you receive does say that the vaccine is good for only one year, as required by law, but the 3-year vaccine is the actual vaccine that is administered.  The AAFP also recommends ferals receive an FVRCP-FELV booster which we can give if their test is negative.

19.  All this sounds great.  How do I get an appointment?

Please just call our office (843-645-2500) during regular business hours (see FAQ #3) and we’ll be happy to set up an appointment for you.  Thank you for choosing SNAC and helping to control our pet populations and euthanasia rates.

 

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