Spay/Neuter Voucher Program

Mass Animal Fund's Spay/Neuter Voucher Program is dedicated to helping local animals in need.

Since 2014, the Fund has spent over 3 million dollars helping over 23,000 cats and dogs in Massachusetts!

We distribute spay/neuter vouchers weekly based on revenue and surgery capacity. Animals in municipal shelters and in emergency situations get priority assistance. 

To find out if an animal qualifies for a voucher, please see our Animal Eligibility Page.

Please keep in mind, the Mass Animal Fund program was created for the purpose of reducing animal homelessness in Massachusetts, so we can only provide vouchers for spay/neuter for local cats and dogs. 

For Massachusetts Residents

Do you own a cat or dog that is not spayed or neutered? Is the cost of surgery a financial hardship for you or your family? The Mass Animal Fund may be able to help with free spay/neuter vouchers for low-income Massachusetts residents with cats and dogs.

Owned Animal Waitlist Vouchers

Our owned animal assistance waitlist is reserved for Massachusetts pets that need spay/neuter services and fit into the categories below:

1. Dogs and cats owned by low-income MA residents over the age of 65 who receive public assistance.
2. Dogs and cats owned by disabled MA residents who receive public assistance.
3. Dogs and cats owned by MA residents who receive public assistance and whose animals need spay/neuter for a public housing requirement.

Please note that our owned animal waitlist will be closed once we reach 400 new applications. This cap will prevent animals from sitting on the waitlist for longer than a year.

Owners that fit into the above categories must submit a completed and accurate Owned Animal Assistance Form to their local animal control officer. Mass Animal Fund cannot accept applications directly from residents.

Please keep in mind that animal eligibility does not equal voucher availability. Applications may be denied due to funding, surgery capacity, and current focus efforts. Applications submitted for our waitlist are reviewed weekly. Once an application is approved, the owner will receive a confirmation email that includes a waitlist number and the approximate wait time for assistance.

Already have a voucher and need to schedule surgery? Visit our Find a Provider page to find a participating veterinarian. 

Due to the limited availability of owned animal vouchers, we encourage all owners to explore low-cost spay/neuter services first whenever possible.

Owned Animal Voucher Days

Voucher Days are an opportunity for all low-income pet owners in Massachusetts to apply for spay/neuter assistance. Voucher Days are announced on our Mass Animal Fund Facebook Page, and each voucher day post includes information on how to apply.

Please note that, due to limited funding and voucher availability, there is no waitlist for Voucher Days. Voucher Days fill up very quickly, so we encourage individuals to apply as soon as they see a posting.  All applicants who obtain a surgery slot for their pet will be notified by email with instructions for the day of surgery.  There is a strict limit of 2 animals per applicant for Voucher Days, and all owners must meet the eligibility guidelines below. Vouchers for Voucher Days are distributed on the day of the event and are not transferable or usable on alternate days.

We encourage ALL owners to look for low-cost resources. Please visit the websites below to search for low-cost spay/neuter services in your area: 

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Options

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Eastern Massachusetts Cape Cod, and NH:

• Animal Rescue League of Boston (Boston and South Shore areas)
• A Helping Paw Humane NH location
• Cape Ann Animal Aid MA North Shore
• Come Together Animal Clinic Boston 
• Concerned Citizens for Animals certificate program
• Lowell Humane Society Lowell
• Love is Life Veterinary Clinic Franklin
• MSPCA  (multiple locations listed on website)
• MRFRS (Cats only)
• Nantucket Safe Harbor Nantucket
• Pet Partners Fall River
• Salem Animal Rescue League NH location
• South Shore Humane Braintree

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Central and Western Massachusetts:

• Berkshire Humane Society Clinic Pittsfield
• Dakin Humane Society Springfield
• Here Today, Adopted Tomorrow Sanctuary Cats only assistance for specific towns 
• Second Chance Animal Services (Multiple locations)
• Sterling Animal Shelter 
• Tufts Lerner Clinic 

You can explore even more low-cost spay/neuter options across MA by visiting: Massachusetts Animal Coalition spay/neuter site or the United Spay Alliance spay/neuter search site. 

Additional Owned Animal Pet Assistance

MSPCA's List of Pet Food Pantries   Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics Reported to MDAR  Pet Help Finder's Assistance Database 

For Feral Cat Caregivers (voucher availability currently restricted)

Do you manage a feral colony? The Mass Animal Fund may have funds to help with the spaying/neutering feral cats. Eligible cats are those that are homeless, un-owned, free-roaming, unsocialized, and appear healthy. To be eligible these cats must be released back into their home colony, and receive a 3/8" ear tip at the time of surgery.

Caregivers seeking help should contact their local animal control officer. We cannot accept applications directly from caregivers. Vouchers must be in-hand before trapping and transporting the cat(s) to surgery.

Already have a voucher and need to schedule surgery? Visit our Find a Provider page to find a participating veterinarian.

For Animal Control Officers

Animal control officers can request vouchers for animals in their community. Homeless cats and dogs in municipal shelters, cats and dogs owned by low income residents, and feral cats may qualify for help. Not sure if an animal qualifies?  Please review our Animal Eligibility Page.

MAF continues to prioritize assistance for animals in municipal shelters. There is no change in ACO Voucher availability, and ACOs should follow the procedure below to request assistance.

For voucher requests for animals in ACO care, please submit the ACO Voucher Request Form and your ACO Intake Forms into the ACO/Provider Voucher Request Portal.  

Since Mass Animal Fund is operating with limited staff, ALL voucher applications (ACO/Owned Animals/Community Cats/and Emergency Cases) must be submitted by ACOs and Providers through our new ACO/Provider Voucher Request Portal. 

We are asking ACOs to submit completed ACO intake forms for all voucher animals upon leaving their care. The animal outcome information we are gathering will be essential as we seek additional funding sources to keep the program helping as many municipal animals as possible! Completed intake forms can be uploaded to our ACO Animal Intake Portal.

Look at our list of providers to see if there is a clinic in your area that has joined our program. (If you don’t see a clinic in your area, reach out to clinics known to you and ask them to sign up!)

For Participating Spay/Neuter Providers

Mass Animal Fund Providers may request a voucher for low-income clients who qualify for assistance.

Not sure if an animal qualifies?  Please review our Animal Eligibility Page.

To request a voucher submit a Voucher Request Form. Since Mass Animal Fund is operating with limited staff, ALL voucher applications (ACO/Owned Animals/Community Cats/and Emergency Cases) must be submitted by ACOs and Providers through our new ACO/Provider Voucher Request Portal.