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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County has approved $10,000 in one-time federal stimulus dollars left over from the pandemic to help PetFix open a spaying and neutering clinic in Garfield Heights. PetFix already fixes about 10,000 cats and dogs per year out of its Euclid clinic, but Executive Director Kristy Luco told County Council back in September that the clinic is always at capacity and is simply not enough to meet the area’s needs. She noted that appointments are scheduled three months in advance and fill up within 48 hours. An announcement at the top of the company’s website warns that they’re not able to accept stray cats or schedule spaying services at the moment, due to a temporary veterinarian shortage. But opening a second clinic in Garfield Heights is expected to increase access to low-cost spaying and neutering services on the county’s southeast side, where Luco said the county’s animal shelter routinely receives influxes of dogs. It would also double the company’s surgery capacity and reduce wait times for pet owners, helping them avoid unwanted litters. “This is a real win for pets and their owners,” Luco previously said in a recent presentation before council’s Education, Environment and Sustainability Committee. “PetFix believes that affordable spay and neutering is the key to ending this cycle of pet homelessness.” Councilmembers agreed, unanimously approving the funds in October. PetFix has already raised over $750,000 to purchase and start renovating its new location at 13315 Broadway Ave., in Garfield Heights. Council’s $10,000 contribution – out of Councilwoman Sunny Simon’s $6 million in ARPA funds – will help finish renovations by the end of the year or in early 2026, Luco said. Where a traditional full-service veterinary office might charge $500 or more to spay or neuter a pet, she said the clinic charges $50-70 for cats and $75 to $125 for dogs, depending on their size and sex. It’s an important resource for residents who want to be responsible pet owners but who might not otherwise be able to afford spaying or neutering services, she said. The clinic also offers microchipping and vaccination services and has a mobile unit that will pick up pets if owners are unable to drive themselves to the clinic. “We could have three or four clinics, and we’d still probably be busy all the time,” Luco said. “People are so grateful for what we’re able to do for them.” Simon said she has received quotes of nearly $700 for spaying services over the years for her own pets. She praised the clinic for giving owners options to take care of their pets for “way less than a vet” would charge. “This is a great service to the community,” Simon said.
