About
Anaconda Spay and Neuter began when Mary Johnston and Paula Arneson organized the first local spay and neuter clinic in the fall of 2024. There hadn’t been a free clinic in Deer Lodge County since since 2017! Anaconda Spay and Neuter partnered with Helena’s Spay Montana program, the local American Legion and dozens of local volunteers. Since that first clinic in 2024, hundreds of dogs and cats have been spayed, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped for free or very low-cost.
Funding for the clinics comes from fundraising efforts, grants, donations and support from local businesses. Each clinic’s costs are in excess of $10,000.
Anaconda Spay and Neuter is now a recognized 501(c)(3) organization and continues to develop and plan for the future!
Our Mission
To provide free or low-cost spay and neuter services to the pet owners of Deer Lodge County.
Future Goals
Address the spay and neuter needs of Deer Lodge County’s feral cat population and continue expanding free clinics to surrounding counties.
FAQs
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Our clinics are for pet owners who can’t access or afford traditional veterinary care. No proof of income is required. We operate on trust and compassion.
We are not able to take dogs that are larger than 80lbs. We also don’t take dogs or cats that have produced litters that were deliberately bred.
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We focus on dogs (80 lbs and less) and cats that belong to residents of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.
We can’t take dogs larger than 80lbs or dogs (or cats) that have been deliberately bred in the past. Our space for feral or community cats is limited. We can guide you to resources for feral and community cats.
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Our spay and neuter services are free, thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, grants, and community fundraisers. Donations are always needed to help up continue serving more pets as each clinic costs more than $10,000.
When supplies are available, we also offer low-cost vaccinations and microchips.
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Keep an eye on our Upcoming Clinics page or fill out an RSVP to be added to our clinic list.
Space at clinics is limited! Clinics do fill; we may have to add your pet to the list for our next clinic. We will confirm with you either way.
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Organized chaos! In all seriousness, we require you and your pet arrive promptly at the time assigned to you by our team.
Physical space at the clinic is very limited. In addition to your pet, please bring only yourself (a responsible adult!) and at most, one other person. If your second person is a child, please be prepared to keep them occupied during the wait time, surgery, and during your pet’s recovery. This is for their own safety as well as that of the clinic staff.
Please bring a soft blanket from home to comfort your pet before and after surgery.
When you arrive, you will complete pre-surgery paperwork and review after-care instructions with a volunteer.
Next, the medical team will administer pre-surgical sedation and begin the prep. Everything from admission to recovery happens in the same small space; your pet never leaves your sight! You are welcome to observe as much or as little as you care to. IMPORTANT: You are required to remain on site during surgery and recovery, until your pet is discharged.
After surgery, you will be responsible for watching over your pet in recovery, supervised by our trained volunteers and medical staff.
After staff determines your pet is sufficiently recovered, they will be discharged to you with after-care instructions.
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Most pets recover quickly and are back to normal within a few days. We’ll send you home with simple aftercare instructions and contact information for any questions and concerns.
We require you to remain on site for the duration of the surgery, and you will watch over your pet during our their post-surgery recovery (overseen by medical staff and core volunteers). See “What can I expect on clinic day?” above.
Please review our aftercare instructions here before RSVPing for a clinic.
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All spay/neuter procedures include a pre-surgical questionnaire, anesthesia, surgery, dissolvable stitches, and basic post-op pain relief. We require you to remain with your pet for the duration of the procedure; your participation in post-surgery recovery is mandatory and critical!
The clinic does NOT provide incision protection devices. See the aftercare instructions for ideas.
We also offer vaccines and microchipping for a nominal fee and when supplies allow. At check-in, you will have the opportunity to request vaccinations and microchips.
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Absolutely! 100% of your donation goes toward supplies, equipment, housing and food for staff, travel costs, and medication that make these surgeries possible. Visit our Donation page to contribute or host your own fundraiser.
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Yes! We welcome both medical professionals and community volunteers. Help with check in, recovery, fundraising, or outreach. Our core volunteers will ensure you are trained and kept busy.
Find a Clinic
See when our Next Clinic is and RSVP
Get Involved
Volunteer, Donate, or Fundraise.