What We Do

Low Cost Animal Care

Change an Animal's Life

Spay/Neuter Program

We provide at least two mobile spay and neuter clinics for cats each month through NOMAD. See details below.

To schedule your cat for a MASH spay or neuter procedure, you will need to sign up in person at the shelter (see details below.)

MASH: Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital (Cats Only)

As of January 1, 2024, Nomad, Inc., our spay/neuter service provider, will now require all cats to receive a rabies vaccine at the time of surgery. If your cat has a current rabies vaccine, you must show proof before you register.  All cats must be 12 weeks of age AND 3 pound – 4 years of age. We release clinics in small groups at a time. We do this in case of cancellations from the vet and so we aren’t scheduling so far in advance.

MASH sign-up times

  • Tuesdays from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Wednesdays from 11:00am – 3:00pm
  • Fridays 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Saturdays from 11:00am – 2:00pm

The Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital (MASH) is a veterinary hospital on wheels, designed to provide low-cost cat spay and neuter services for clients throughout the State of Ohio and is run by Dr. Laura Miller.

Low-Cost Clinics Will be Promoted on Facebook

Signups are posted indicating day and time. Click here to follow us on Facebook.

**MASH Charges

Male Cat Neuter $40.00 + $15.00 rabies vaccine
Female Cat Spay $70.00 + $15.00 rabies vaccine
Pregnancy Charge $10.00

Additional services (ONLY done at time of surgery) that are available:

Flea Treatment* (Revolution) $20.00
Nail trim $5.00
Rabies Vaccine** (Required unless you have proof of current vaccine.) $15.00
General Wormer $10.00
Ear Tip (Ferals or Outdoor Only) $10.00
FVRCPC Vaccine $15.00

*Revolution Flea Treatment treats fleas and ear mites, and works as a dewormer.

**Rabies vaccines are now required by Nomad, Inc., our spay/neuter service provider. You must show proof of current, vet provided rabies vaccine to not be charged.

 

Signup Procedures & Cat Eligibility
  • Please come to the Portage APL, in person, to pay (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express) and submit paperwork ahead of time to secure your appointment.
  • We cannot accept walk-ins on surgery dates. These clinics fill up very fast. Please call to find out availability. (Please note that MASH dates may change or be cancelled at any time.)
  • We can only spay/neuter cats 12 weeks and 3 pounds – 4 years of age.
  • Pediatric spaying and neutering can be performed on kittens, but they must be at least three months of age and over 3.5 pounds and healthy to have the procedures performed.
Preparing for The Day of Surgery
  1. Do not give your cat food, water or treats after 12:00 midnight the night before.
  2. Bring your cat(s) to Portage APL. They must be in a plastic carrier where your cat is visible through the door. All cats must be in individual carriers.
  3. Please lay a towel, newspaper or wee pad on the bottom of the carrier and make sure your cat is not wearing a collar.
  4. Male cats should be dropped off from 8:00 – 8:30am at Portage APL
  5. Female cats should be dropped off from 8:30 – 9:00am at Portage APL
  6. Portage APL is located at 8122 Infirmary Road (behind the dog pound and alongside the Portage County Airport). You will be called when your cat is ready to be taken home.
  7. If you are unable to make it that day, please call us by 8am (please leave a voicemail if your call isn’t picked up). If you do not show or do not call, you will lose your money and will have to pay again.
Surgery
  • Each cat is put under gas anesthesia for the procedure. All surgery takes place in the Mobile Unit and is done by the MASH veterinarian. All procedures are done using sterile equipment.
  • A female surgery (similar to a hysterectomy in a person) involves removal of ovaries and uterus and takes about one-half hour to complete.
  • Females may be spayed if they are in heat, and can be spayed while pregnant (at our MASH vet’s discretion).
  • Neutering a male cat involves removing the testicles and takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Reasons Your Cat May Not Be Able to Have Surgery
  • Nursing cats cannot be spayed until they have been separated from their kittens for at least two weeks and have no milk in their mammary glands.
  • Male cats which have neither or only one testicle descended are not done at the MASH clinic and should be referred to their local veterinarian.
  • Any cat younger than 12 weeks old and weighing less than 3 pounds or cats older than 4 years of age.
  • Any cat known to be positive for Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Viremia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or any other serious illness will not be done by the MASH veterinarian and should be referred to their local vet.
  • Cats cannot be on antibiotic treatment at time of surgery.
  • Cats which have had anything to eat after midnight the night before will be refused surgery.
  • Cats showing symptoms of current illness (nasal or eye discharge, emaciation, etc.) will be refused surgery and referred to their local vet.
  • Cats having any serious heart or lung problems on auscultation (vet listening to organ functions) will be refused surgery and referred.
  • Cats having any recent major surgery will be refused surgery and referred.
  • Extremely obese female cats will be refused surgery and referred.
  • Extremely short nosed or Persian cats will be refused surgery and referred.

The MASH veterinarian retains the right to refuse services to any animal perceived as unfit.

Top 10 Reasons to Spay/Neuter Your Pet

Spaying/Neutering your pets (at about 8-16 weeks) is good for you, good for your pets, and good for the neighborhood. Here’s why…

10. Your house will smell better!

Neutered pets have fewer tendencies to mark their territory or attract the opposite sex by spraying. That means no yellow stains on your white couch and a lot less air freshener. Generally the earlier you get pets spayed/neutered the better the result.

9. You will have lower vet bills!

“Fixed” pets are less prone to a variety of diseases. For example, spayed females have a lower risk of breast cancer.

8. Less fighting and friendlier relations among pets!

A fight between two unaltered pets can be serious. Deep wounds can transmit deadly diseases such as FIV in cats. Neutered males tend to be less aggressive to both animals and people, particularly if altered at an early age. (Redirected aggression may occur, however, if the animal is ill or agitated and the wrong stimulus occurs.)

7. You move up to the front of the love line!

Your pets will stay contented to be with you at home instead of trying to outsmart you to get out and find a “friend” in the neighborhood.

6. Your pets (and you) will have less stress!

If you have ever gone through the nearly monthly yowling of a cat in heat or the embarrassment of you dog “humping” a guest’s leg and if you have had to “shoo!” away the neighbor’s pets who have “come calling,” you will get your pet spayed/neutered. Trust us!

5. Your neighbors and the dog warden will appreciate it!

Number 6 also works the other way around. Altered pets have lower tendencies to roam and are therefore less likely to annoy your neighbors. Also, you will reduce the risk of your pet getting hit by cars or fall prey to wild animals … or the annoyed neighbor.

4. No “uh ohs!”

Female cats can breed as early as 4 months; dogs as early as 6 months! To avoid those “accidental” litters, talk with your veterinarian about pediatric spay/neuter (8 – 16 weeks of age).

3. No unwanted litters!

Unfixed female cats can breed three times a year and have an average of 4 kittens per litter. Dogs can breed twice a year with litters of 6 – 10 puppies. The numbers appear to be staggering, but in just seven years, one unspayed female cat and her offspring (if they all live) can produce 420,000 kittens; one unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce 97,000 puppies.

2. More homes for the homeless!

Nearly 35,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each day in dog pounds and animal control facilities across America in large part because people didn’t get their pet “fixed.” In addition, 6-8 million dogs and cats are left waiting in shelters across the country. Every home found for one of your pet’s offspring takes a home away from an animal waiting in a shelter.

1. You can help prevent the number one cause of death and suffering in cats and dogs!

For each human baby that is born today across the United States, 45 cats and 15 dogs will be born. About half of these animals will be euthanized because there simply aren’t enough homes. In addition, countless homeless animals, who never make it into shelters, will suffer their lives on the streets – often becoming threats to public health and safety. This makes pet overpopulation the major cause of death and suffering for companion animals.

The Solution is simple

Talk to your veterinarian about the proper care of your pet. Ask questions about our program.

On behalf of the thousands of dogs and cats who are suffering due to a lack of homes or shelters and the millions who will be euthanized this year, do the right thing: Take responsibility for your pet!

Portage APL Pet Food Pantry

Our pet food pantry is available to community members who are in need of food assistance for their pets.

You must qualify for the program. Food Stamps, Ohio Medicaid, PMHA, or Social Security allows you to take part in our program. You must show proof from the state/county that you are indeed receiving benefits and a valid photo ID.

This is a once a month program meant to supplement what you can already purchase yourself. Our pantry food is donated to us from outside sources.

Starting January 1, 2024, after you register, you will receive a card that you must bring in monthly with you. You must retain this card all year. 

2024 Pet Panty hours are Tuesdays 11-3 pm and Saturdays 11-2 pm.

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Vet Care and Vaccine Information

Alleycat Spay and Neuter Clinic
15549 SR 170
STE 10
East Liverpool, OH 43920
330-892-8985
https://www.alleycatvet.com

AlterClinic Animal Care
2302 Fulton RD NW
Canton, OH 44709
234-804-3064
www.altercareclinicac.com

Angels for Animals
4750 W South Range RD
Canfield, OH 44406
330-549-5634
www.angelsforanimals.org

Friends of Animals Certificate
Purchase online only
www.friendsofanimals.org

Nomad, Inc.
Cats Only
@ Portage APL
330-296-4022 ext. 0
www.portageapl.org

One-of-A-Kind Pets Clinic
1700 W Exchange ST
Akron, OH 44313
330-865-6890
https://oneofakindpets.com

PetGuards
4040 Start RD
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
330-929-0007
https://petguardsclinic.com

Rescue Village
Cats Only
15463 Chillicothe RD
Novelty, OH 44072
440-338-4819 ext. 14
www.rescuevillage.org

Steel Valley Spay Neuter Clinic
405 State ST
Girard, OH 44420
330-545-2255
www.spayneuterclinics.net

The Great Life VPC
4617 Mogadore RD
Kent, OH 44240
330-525-9988
greatlifevet@gmail.com
https://thegreatlifevet.com/

TNR of Warren
2428 Elm RD NE
Warren, OH 44483
330-330-8166
http://tnrofwarren.org

Valley Save-A-Pet
440-232-2287
https://valleysaveapet.org

LOW-COST WELL CLINICS

AlterClinic Animal Care
2302 Fulton RD NW
Canton, OH 44709
234-804-3064
www.altercareclinicac.com

PetGuards
4040 Start RD
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
330-929-0007
https://petguardsclinic.com

VIP Pet Care Mobile Clinics
Available at:
Pet Supplies Plus Stores
-Streetsboro
-Akron
-Twinsburg
-Cuyahoga Falls
-Alliance
-Niles
Tractor Supply Company
-Ravenna
-Akron
Call stores for times and dates

LOW-COST VET OFFICES

CoTwins Veterinary Care
2439 Whipple AVE NW
Canton, OH 44708
330-949-6473
www.cotwinsveterinarycare.com

Humble Creatures Veterinary Care
3123 Cleveland AVE NE
Canton, OH 44709
330-492-6960

Pet Vet LLC
1245 S Cleve-Mass RD
Copley, OH 44321
330-576-3095
https://copleypetvet.wixsite.com/pet-vet-1

Primary Pet Care
3661 Fishcreek RD
Stow, OH 44224
330.968.6215
https://primarypetcare.com

Vet IQ
Brimfield Walmart
250 Tallmadge RD
Kent, OH 44240
330-541-5670

EMERGENCY PET CARE

Cuyahoga Valley Vet Clinic
Same Day and Emergency
3850 Brecksville RD
Richfield, OH 44286
330-659-0712
staff.cvc@gmail.com
https://cuyahogavalleyvet.com/

Mahoning Valley Urgent Care
2680 W Liberty ST
Girard, OH 44420
330-530-8387

Metropolitan Vet Hospital
1053 S Cleveland Massillon RD
Copley, OH 443321
330-666-2976

MedVet Akron
1321 Centerview CIR
Akron, OH 44321

VCA Great Lakes
4760 Richmond RD
Warrensville HTS, OH 44128
216-831-6789

VCA Green
1620 Corporate Woods CIR
Uniontown, OH 44685
330-896-4040

PET FOOD ASSISTANCE

People Care Pet Pantry
330-389-5116

Portage APL Pantry
330-296-4022 ext. 0

MOBILE VET SERVICES

Silver Pets Mobile
PO Box 4246
Copley, OH 44321
silverpetsmobilevet.com

Stay @Home Mobile Vet
PO Box 243
Hartville, OH 44632
330-904-2129
info@stayathomemobilevet.com
stayathomemobilevet.com

EUTHANASIA SERVICES

Angels for Animals
4750 W South Range RD
Canfield, OH 44406
330-549-5634
www.angelsforanimals.org

Daisy Creek Veterinary Care
330-298-5006
daisycreekvet.com

A Gentle Farwell
PO Box 106
Wellington, OH 44090
440-452-3422
agentlefarewell.com

Loving Pets In-Home Euthanasia
234-380-6806
971-800-1338
PO Box 3673
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Lovingpets.vet
lovingpetsinfo@gmail.com

Silver Pets Mobile
PO Box 4246
Copley, OH 44321
silverpetsmobilevet.com

Stay @Home Mobile Vet
PO Box 243
Hartville, OH 44632
330-904-2129
info@stayathomemobilevet.com
stayathomemobilevet.com

CREDIT SERVICES

Care Credit
800-677-0718
www.carecredit.com

Scratch Pay
855-727-2395
https://scratchpay.com

Pet Food Assistance:

People Care Pet Pantry

(for assistance with pet food)

330.389.5116

Portage APL Pet Pantry

(for assistance with pet food)

330.296.4022

 

Credit Services:

Care Credit

www.carecredit.com

1.800.677.0718 to apply

Pet Med Assistance:

Sam’s Club Pharmacy

Discount Animal Medications

1189 Buchholzer BLVD
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

330.929.3789

Euthanasia Services:

A Gentle Farwell – 440.452.3422

A Visiting Vet – 330.665.915

Stay At Home – 330.904.2129

Silver Pets Mobile – 330.396.6343