Dakin's Spay/Neuter Clinic Adds Second Surgical Team
by Lee Chambers
In fall 2009, Dakin’s Community Spay/Neuter Clinic opened at our Springfield Adoption Center with the mission to provide high-quality, affordable surgery to help curb animal overpopulation. In the past decade we have treated over 90,000 dogs, cats, and most recently rabbits, which has contributed significantly toward that goal in the Pioneer Valley region – and beyond.
Our Clinic’s popularity, however, resulted in long waiting times when booking a surgery date, sometimes several months. We’re happy to announce the addition of an additional surgical team headed up by Dr. Rebecca Carroll, which means that waiting times have been significantly reduced.
She joins Dr. Sherri Therrien, who has worked in our Clinic for the past several years. In a typical week, our two teams can perform about 250 spay/neuter surgeries. Our clinic is modeled after the nationally recognized ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance program, which is a leader in high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter.
The efficiency doesn’t just stop there. For example, the Clinic has specific drop-off and pick-up times for patients that enable the staff to get pets where they need to be in the most effective ways possible. As Clinic Manager Lynn Sassi notes, “Spay/Neuter surgery is our only focus. We have developed processes and procedures that enable us to be extremely efficient and cost-effective. This allows us to keep our fees low.”
Spay/Neuter fees for dogs are based on the animal’s weight and range from $175-$225. The fee for cat surgery is $100, and rabbit surgery is priced at $225. Booking a spay/neuter appointment can be done online via Dakin’s website, and is the easiest way to schedule your pet. The Clinic can also take bookings over the phone by calling (413) 781-4019. Full payment is expected at the time of booking.
Other treatments available at the time of surgery include microchip identification, nail trim and parasite protection (for cats and dogs), as well as a feline leukemia/FIV test for cats, and a heartworm test for dogs.
“Spay/neuter surgery makes sense on a number of levels,” states Dakin’s Executive Director Carmine DiCenso. “It eliminates any chance of surprise / unwanted litter. Pets may also exhibit fewer behavior problems such as aggression, spraying, and fighting. They’ll be less likely to run away or roam, and the surgery can eliminate or reduce chances for some forms of cancer that strike reproductive organs in pets.”