Fixing your pet should not cost a month’s rent
A spay or neuter surgery at a private vet in San Antonio can run $200 to $500 or more. For a lot of families, that bill means the surgery keeps getting postponed — and postponed surgeries mean more unwanted litters and a more crowded shelter system. Here is what the city wants every pet owner to know: San Antonio offers free spay and neuter surgeries to many qualifying residents, and low-cost options for everyone else.
This guide walks through every free and low-cost option in the city — how to check if your ZIP code qualifies, who to call, and what to expect.
City of San Antonio Animal Care Services: free spay & neuter
The City’s Animal Care Services (ACS) program funds free spay and neuter surgeries for residents in 26 qualifying San Antonio ZIP codes. Depending on the program, your pet may also get a rabies vaccine and microchip at no extra cost.
How to check and book:
- Visit the San Antonio Animal Care Services website and select “Spay & Neuter Services.”
- Enter your ZIP code — the site will tell you whether you qualify for free services.
- Follow the instructions to make an appointment. Book as early as you can — appointments fill fast.
Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and 2 pounds at the time of surgery. Bring proof of address (driver’s license, pay stub, or utility bill) the morning of the appointment. If your pet had a rabies shot in the past year, bring the official vaccination certificate signed by a vet.
Questions? Call the ACS Spay/Neuter Information Line at (210) 207-6688.
Free microchips with lifetime registration
ACS also offers free microchips for San Antonio dogs and cats by appointment — and the microchip includes free lifetime registration. A microchip is the single best way to get a lost pet back home, and this one costs you nothing. Ask about it when you call the Spay/Neuter line.
Free spay & neuter for community (feral) cats — no ZIP restriction
If you feed or care for outdoor cats, this one is big: every community cat in San Antonio can be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped for FREE through the city’s TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program — with no ZIP code restrictions.
- Cats must be at least 2 pounds and 2 months old (kittens can get pregnant as young as 5 months, so do not wait).
- Appointments are required. Only 2 cats per visit.
- Cats must arrive in a wire humane trap or wire carrier (no soft or plastic carriers).
- Surgeries happen at the ACS clinic: 4710 State Highway 151, San Antonio, TX 78227.
Contact the ACS Community Cat Program Coordinator at (210) 207-6696 or email acsccp@sanantonio.gov. Local nonprofit The Cannoli Fund also loans humane traps and helps with trapping and transport in its service area.
Partner clinics: SNIPSA, Spay Neuter Network & more
The city partners with local clinics and nonprofits, including the East Side and West Side Spay & Neuter Clinics, SNIPSA, and Spay Neuter Network. SNIPSA alone completed 3,000 spay and neuter surgeries in the first part of 2026 — a new record for the organization.
The San Antonio Humane Society’s spay/neuter clinic (4804 Fredericksburg Rd) performs surgeries funded by the city grant — free for residents in qualifying ZIP codes, and affordable for everyone else. Always verify current qualifying ZIP codes before your visit, since grant funding changes periodically.
If your ZIP does not qualify for free services, these same organizations offer low-cost options that are still far cheaper than a private vet. Call them directly for current pricing and availability.
Free weekend vaccines & pet food help
ACS runs free vaccination clinics every weekend and keeps a pet food pantry for owners who are struggling — plus collars, leashes, and harnesses. For help with vaccines, microchipping, spay/neuter, or food, call ACS at (210) 207-4738. If you see an animal being abused or neglected, call 311 — reports can be made anonymously.
More free resources for San Antonio pet owners
- Free pet food — our guide to free pet food assistance programs pairs perfectly with this one: fixed pets still need to eat.
- The Cannoli Fund — free spay/neuter details for 26 San Antonio ZIP codes, plus community-cat TNR help.
- SNIPSA — local nonprofit doing thousands of low-cost surgeries a year; contact them directly for appointments.
- Spay Neuter Network — low-cost clinics serving San Antonio and North Texas.
- 2-1-1 Texas — referrals to pet assistance and every other kind of local help, 24/7.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my ZIP code qualifies for free spay/neuter?
Visit the San Antonio Animal Care Services website, select “Spay & Neuter Services,” and enter your ZIP code — it will tell you immediately whether you qualify.
My ZIP does not qualify. What now?
You can still get low-cost surgery through SNIPSA, Spay Neuter Network, or the San Antonio Humane Society clinic — all far cheaper than a private vet. Call for current prices.
How long is the wait for an appointment?
The free program is popular and waits can be long. Make your appointment as soon as possible — do not wait until your pet is older.
Do community cats really have no ZIP restriction?
Correct. The city’s free TNR program covers all community cats in San Antonio regardless of ZIP code. Appointments are still required.
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