Rochester Community Animal Clinic (RCAC)

To schedule a spay or neuter appointment, you may apply online. If you need to fill out a paper application, please come to the clinic Monday-Thursday between 9 am – 4 pm. Please bring your proof of eligibility.

• Show proof of eligibility

• All clients must pre-pay the full package price for surgery prior to scheduling.

• If you have records, please bring them with you to submit with your application. Records must be received at least 48 hours prior to surgery. New York State law requires all dogs and cats over 12 weeks old receive a rabies vaccine if proof is not provided. A rabies tag does not qualify proof of rabies.

• Cancellations: RCAC requires 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment, otherwise, a $25 late cancellation/no-show fee will be applied.

Wellness/Vaccine Appointments are ONLY available for healthy dogs and cats needing vaccines and routine testing. If your pet has ANY health issues (illnesses or injuries) we recommend you call your regular veterinarian or call an alternative full-service veterinarian.

Vaccine Appointment Request Form

Vaccine appointments must be made in advance by calling (585) 288-0600.

A $40 non-refundable deposit per pet is required to schedule your pet's vaccine appointment. The remaining vaccine package fee must be paid at the time of service.

Cancellations: RCAC requires 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment, otherwise, a $25 late cancellation/no-show fee will be applied.

All spay and neuter surgeries are scheduled in advance, and detailed information about our check-in and discharge procedures is provided when the appointment is booked.

Cancellations: RCAC requires 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment, otherwise, a $25 late cancellation/no-show fee will be applied.

Check-In/Arrival On the morning of your scheduled surgery appointment, pets must arrive promptly at the following times:

• Female dogs - 7:30 a.m. Male dogs - 7:45 a.m.

• Female cats - 8 a.m. Male cats - 8:15 a.m.

• Feral Cats - Drop off between 9:30 – 11 a.m. One feral per surgery day. Must come in a humane trap

PLAN TO BE AT THE CLINIC FOR 30 MINUTES when you drop off your animal for surgery. Since RCAC has a very strict schedule on surgery days, late arrival the day of surgery may result in an extra $25 fee or possible cancellation of surgery.

• Please text 585-288-8151 when you arrive. A receptionist will let you know when to bring your pet in.

• Cats must arrive in a secured carrier. We also recommend that you cover the carrier with a towel or sheet to keep the cat calm. Cardboard carriers will not be accepted.

• Dogs must arrive on a leash.

Discharge

Pick-up times occur on the same day of surgery at:

• Male dogs - 3 p.m. Female dogs - 3:15 p.m.

• Male cats - 4 p.m. Female cats - 4:15 p.m.

• Feral Cats - 4:45 p.m.

RCAC conducts group discharges at the listed times. (Failure to arrive on time for your scheduled discharge time may result in a $15 fee.) 

If possible, we always recommend that you plan to have someone home to monitor your pet for several hours after discharge. Complete post-operative instructions will be provided verbally and in writing when you come to pick up your pet. 

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies at RCAC, occasionally discharge times may vary from those originally designated, there may be a considerable wait upon discharge, or surgical procedures may need to be rescheduled. 

Night before surgery: All spay/neuter patients must have food withdrawn at midnight the night before surgery. Water is okay. Surgery may be cancelled if your animal receives any food the morning of surgery.

Day of surgery:

• Please walk your dog before arriving at the clinic on the morning of surgery. He/she will be inside all day.

• Please text 585-288-8151 when you arrive.

• Dogs must arrive on a leash.

• Cats must be in a clean pet carrier (commercially manufactured for the purpose of transporting felines) with a secured door. We recommend that you cover it with a towel or sheet to keep the cat calm. Surgery may be cancelled for cats arriving in poorly repaired carriers, boxes, laundry hampers or other homemade devices.

• Owners arriving with multiple cats need to provide 1 carrier per cat. Multiple cats arriving in 1 carrier may have surgery rescheduled or the owner may be required to purchase an additional carrier.

Discharge instruction videos for dogs and cats can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Activity: Upon return from your appointment, it is recommended that someone be available to monitor your pet for several hours. Keep your pet in a warm, dry, and quiet area, away from all hazards (including stairs, young children, and other animals). Avoid too much handling as he/she may try to bite or scratch. Do not allow pet to run, jump, play, swim, or be bathed/groomed for 10 days after surgery. Leash dogs for short walks only, for 14 days.

Diet: Offer a small amount of food and water as soon as your pet is fully awake. If vomiting occurs, wait a couple of hours to offer a little more food. Provide the normal amount of food and water beginning on the day after surgery.

Sutures & Tattoo: Unless otherwise noted, all pets receive sutures placed under the skin that DO NOT need to be removed. All dogs and female cats also receive a green tattoo next to the incision which permanently identifies him/her as neutered or spayed.

Incision Site Care: It is very important that you keep your pet from licking or biting at the surgery area since serious harm may result. An e-collar (or cone) will be sent home after surgery and should be kept on the pet for 10-14 days. Check the incision site twice daily for 10 days. As long as the incision remains closed, clean, and free from discharge, it progresses normally. A very small amount of redness/swelling at the incision is normal. If you notice any significant swelling, redness, bleeding, or discharge contact a veterinary to have it looked at. Contact RCAC (585-288-0600); Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services (585-775-0020); or another full-service veterinary hospital; if any of the following occur:

• Difficulty Breathing

• Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea

• Depression/Lethargy/Loss of Appetite

• Coughing/Sneezing

• Excessive Incision Site Swelling or Opening

• Bleeding or Discharge at Incision Site