Frequently Asked Questions

Please email us at contactus@tailsofhopewpa.org if the answer you seek is not listed here.

Who is eligible for services at Tails of Hope?

Everyone is welcome. We believe every family and every cat or dog should have affordable access to our services, the most basic and important veterinary care.

We also have special programs for those who qualify:

Spay & Neuter Angel Program (SNAP) for those in need of additional financial assistance.
Trap-Neuter Return (TNR) for community stray or feral cats and colonies.
Military Discount - Contact us for program details.

What are your hours?

Spay/Neuter operations are performed on Mondays & Fridays by appointment only.

Cat check-ins are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

Dog check-ins are from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.

Clients are notified when animals are ready to go home on the same day.

We do not keep animals overnight.

Last pick-up time is 4:00 p.m.

The building is not open to the public.

To reduce stress for the animals, please stay in your car; we will come out to meet you.

Regular Hours:

Administrative hours are 9:00am - 4:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

We are CLOSED Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Where are you located?

Our address is:

2450 Hoezle Rd.

Hermitage, PA 16148

Directions are available on page 2 of the Services, Price List and Directions PDF under the Services Tab of this website.

How do I make an appointment?

Appointments can be requested by:

Phone: 724-346-4673 or

Email: contactus@tailsofhopewpa.org

Provide your name, phone number, and the best time to reach you along with your animal's name, age, sex (male or female) and weight.

Someone will contact you to discuss scheduling and details.

Are you a full-service veterinary clinic and can you be my primary veterinarian?

No, we are not a full-service clinic.

We are a non-profit who specializes in Spay/Neuter surgeries and TNR programs.

Vaccines, Testing, and Microchips are available at the time of surgery.

A list of our services and our pricing is available under the Services Tab of this website.

We strongly recommend you establish a relationship with a full-service veterinary clinic for annual visits & vaccines, wellness appointments, and other medical needs over the lifetime of your animal.

You offer some of the same things my vet does. How can your prices be so much lower?

We are the first - and only - non-profit Spay/Neuter clinic in Mercer County, PA, and we have served over 30 counties across Western PA & Eastern OH . In addition to experienced and qualified medical staff, we are a volunteer-run organization set up to offer a specific limited number of essential services. We are funded by generous grantors, private donors, sponsors, and special campaigns or fundraising events.

Are you a rescue?

No, we are not a rescue or shelter. We do not house, board, foster or adopt out animals.

For a list of other animal organizations and resources in our area, see Our Friends of the Furry under the Partners tab on this website.

If your pet is missing, Petco Love Lost may be able to help bring them home.

What is your mission?

Click here to read our Vision, Purpose, Mission, Core Values, and more.

How can I get a Community (feral or stray) cat Spayed/Neutered?

We have a special Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) package for Community Cats as well as a Trap Loan Program. For details, more information, and more resources about Trap-Neuter Return, visit the TNR tab on this website. To make an appointment for a stray or feral cat, call us at: 724-346-4673.

How old does my cat/dog have to be for Spay/Neuter surgery?

Cats:

Cats need to be a minimum of 3 months and 3 pounds for spay/neuter so they can also be vaccinated at the time of surgery. We recommend "Fix by 5" (months) to prevent unwanted behaviors associated with unspayed/unneutered cats.

Dogs:

There are many opinions on spay/neuter age requirements for dogs based on studies and future health risks associated with an early or late spay/neuter. We suggest you ask your regular veterinarian for advice.

For male dogs, our DVMs recommend a minimum of 6 to 8 months old and 1 year or older for large breed dogs.
For female dogs, our DVMs recommend a female dog wait a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks after the last day of her first heat cycle. A dog may be declined for surgery during heat as there is a higher risk due to a greater chance of bleeding from engorged blood vessels during this time.

How old is "too old" for spay/neuter surgery?

Cats or dogs over 7 years of age will require a blood-panel from your regular, full-service veterinarian for approval by our surgeon prior to making your appointment.

Can animals have food/water before surgery?

Food is permitted until 10:00 p.m. the night before surgery. But then it is very important they are fasted (no food) after 10:00 p.m. the night before surgery-including treats! They may have access to water all night and the next morning. Absolutely no food in the morning.

What is an e-collar?

Also known as "The Cone of Shame," and Elizabethan Collar (or e-collar for short) are designed to prevent licking, chewing, or other unsafe behavior during the recovery period after spay/neuter surgery. There are many styles available on the market.

Dogs are required to go home from spay/neuter surgery with an e-collar. Clients may bring a proper-fitting e-collar with them or one will be provided and added to the service charges.
Cats have the option of an e-collar.

What is Pyometra?

Pyometra is an infected uterus. Pyometra is likely to occur if a female cat or dog is left unspayed. Not only can this condition be fatal, but its treatment can also be 5-10 x the cost of a routine spay. Spaying is the only complete prevention for this fatal condition. Learn more about Pyometra in Cats & Dogs including how it comes about, what are the signs & symptoms, and how it is treated. If you suspect your pet has Pyometra, seek immediate help from your regular veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic.

What if my pet needs emergency help?

We are not equipped to deal with emergency issues. The most affordable treatment will be through your primary vet, if possible. If you can’t wait, the list below shows the emergency clinics in our area. If none of these is close enough to you, you can do a search for “emergency vet near me” for other alternatives.

MedVet, 724-717-2273, Open 24/7, 2810 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC), 724-809-2000, Open 24/7, 1535 Washington Rd., Washington, PA 15301
Rainbow Veterinary Hospital, 724-843-5443, Open for emergency services 10am to 10pm daily, 129 State Route 168, Darlington, PA 16115
VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital, 412-885-2500, Open 8am to midnight daily, 3610 Library Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15234

How many animals has Tails of Hope Spayed/Neutered?

Over 17,000! Read more about our timeline and accomplishments here.

Find out How to Calculate Our Impact.

Why is Spay/Neuter so important?

Learn Why Spay/Neuter is the Solution for not only your pet but to end a cycle of pet overpopulation and animal welfare issues which causes incalculable suffering and costs.

How can I stay updated on Tails of Hope news & special events?

How can my pet be featured in the next Tails of Hope calendar?

Our calendars are a FUNdrasiser and have been sold out the first two years we made them. Find out how Your Pet Could Be a Calendar Star.

What special events did I miss in 2024?

What special events did I miss in 2025?