Pre-Surgery Information 

PLEASE READ
We are located at 2061 Indian Road, West Palm Beach. Find directions and a map HERE.

The Evening Before Your Pet's Surgery
Your pet should not eat or drink after midnight the evening prior to surgery. Food or fluids in the stomach can present a risk during surgery. If your pet HAS eaten or had a drink the morning of surgery, please make sure to notify staff at check in.

Please arrive promply at the time specified in your surgery confirmation email, usually 8:45 - 9:00 am.

What to Do Upon Arrival
It is a short wait in line to have your paperwork confirmed, and to book your pet in. Each pet is given a cage number; this number is written in the top right hand corner of your receipt. Please refer to this number for pick up and additional service. Your receipt also covers all the information needed for after care.

Dog Owners
All dogs must be walked and encouraged to go to the bathroom before they are placed in a cage. This is for your pets comfort and SAFETY.

Dogs that relieve themselves in the cage could be prone to infection at the surgery site.   It is essential that your pet relieves itself after arrival; in cases where the pet does go in the cage we will insist that you pay for extra antibiotics to avoid possible infection when you pick up your pet.   Please weigh your dog when you arrive, you will find a scale by the door.

NO CHOKE CHAINS.

Please have a regular collar on your pet. You will be requested to take your leash home with you when you drop off your pet.

You will be asked to assist in putting your dog into a cage inside our medical unit. The number that you are assigned (a clip with numbered tag) is to be placed on the cage door, not on the dogs collar.

BAD DOGS/BITERS, you may be asked to wait until the Veterinarian arrives and assist with the initial handling, before leaving.

Feral Cats - Click HERE.

Cat Owners
All cats have to be in separate carriers, If you have multiple cats in one carrier, you will be asked to transfer your cat(s) to one of our carriers. We have carriers for your use, you will be directed to a transfer area to put your cats into our carriers.   You must be able to handle your cat.

If you do not have a carrier to transport your cat to our clinic, do not bring in open arms. Place your cat in a pillow case and tie the top with an elastic band, let one of our staff know AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE that you need assistance with a carrier.

When bringing your cat in your own carrier, DO NOT LINE with a blanket or towel, the cat may suffocate before it is fully awake. We will remove same, and cannot guarantee that your towel or blanket will be returned to you. DO LINE the bottom of the carrier with a good thick padding of newspaper, ( 3 sections of the Palm Beach Post works well).

You do not have to make extra identification or labels on your carrier, your cat(s) will be given a cage number. This number follows your cat all through the sterilization and vaccination procedures, and your cat will go home with a corresponding numbered collar on.

Booking in Procedure
The information that you have provided on the pre registration form, is transferred to the actual surgery sheet. These are kept in last name alphabetical order, we will request your last name only, to select your paperwork. When you are being booked in, we will confirm the information given (to ensure that we have entered it correctly) Sometimes we may advise you that it is our opinion that your pet may benefit from additional medical procedures. This becomes your option to accept, or refuse. It's often wise to perform dental cleanings as needed at this time, as the costs are lower and the dog has already received anesthesia. Retained puppy teeth can also be easily removed.

You will be asked to sign the surgery consent form, which has been assigned a cage number, and you will be given a copy of the form which also INCLUDES YOUR AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS. We strongly suggest that you read all this information before pick up so that we can answer any questions that you may have. If you are requesting a rabies shot (we use a 3 year shot) we will be giving you the rabies license at time of pick up). License is the paper license, the mandatory Tag is obtainable from ACC with the paper license.

Pick-up Times
You will be advised of the pick up time when we book your pet in, times can vary but, rule of thumb is

Dogs and Cats go home in the afternoon, generally around 6:00pm.  Times can vary, depending on variations, Doctor timing, volume of dogs verses cats.  Your estimated pick up time will be written on the bottom left side of your signed consent form. PLEASE KEEP THIS PAPER WORK SAFE AS IT IS YOUR MEDICAL RECORD.

Pick-up Procedures
Every animal is processed by the cage number allocated at book in time, please quote this number when picking up.

Dogs, will go home with antibiotics, and possible additional information.  Many dogs require "elizabethan collars" or "E-collars" (those things that look like satelite dishes) to prevent them chewing on their stitches. If your dog tends to chew or lick a lot, or is a high energy dog you can purchase a collar ahead of time, or buy from us.  Cats do not receive additional medications.

You will be asked to sign our surgery sheet, confirming pick up, and if additional costs are incurred you will pay these, at this time. Such cost would be as per advised at time of book in, additional shots, ($15.00), additional surgeries or procedures as discussed, in the morning.  Unexpected expenses can, but not often,  occur. Advanced pregnancy usually incurs an additional small charge.

Undescended testicles will add additional cost.

If you have questions re your after care and you feel it is not explained fully on your consent form we will be happy to answer your questions at Pick up Time.

Important Info for Owners of Multiple Kittens
We will not release kittens under 4.5 months of age in the same carrier. If you have multiple kittens being picked up, you must bring a separate "carrier for each", a cardboard box with venting holes will suffice for the home bound journey.

Dogs are not to be transported home in the back of open pick up trucks, many times they are still under some effects of anesthesia and it could be dangerous.

We hope that this information is helpful to you, and we look forward to seeing you on the scheduled date. You have made a great decision in halting the overpopulation crises, by having your pet sterilized. Remember Paws-2-Help is 100% for the animals, not the profit.