Pets bring us joy, but they can also bring us unaffordable expenses. If you are seeking an affordable way to care for your pet in Iowa, you’ve come to the right place. Our list of free veterinary care clinics and other affordable pet care resources could help you with spaying/neutering, vaccines, exams, pet food and more!
Spay and Neuter Services
An important step in keeping pets healthy is spaying and neutering. However, the cost of spay/neuter surgeries is often unaffordable for many pet owners. Cost being a barrier to spaying/neutering is a common problem that multiple Iowa organizations are seeking to address. The following organizations provide spay/neuter assistance throughout the state of Iowa!
Low Cost Spay Clinic (Des Moines)
Low Cost Spay Clinic provides low cost spay/neuter services at their two clinics in Des Moines. Their website does not list prices, but mentions affordable services. For more information you can visit Low Cost Spay Clinic’s website or call 515-263-9260.
Animal Rescue League of Iowa (Des Moines)
Animal Rescue League is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal shelter. They offer low cost spay/neuter services to low income Des Moines residents. To qualify, pet owners must live in the Des Moines metro area and receive government assistance or be considered low income. If approved, spay/neuter services are $100 for cats and $200 for dogs. For more information and to apply, please visit Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s website.
Iowa Humane Alliance (Cedar Rapids)
Iowa Humane Alliance offers low cost spay/neuter services to pet owners within a 50 mile radius of their Cedar Rapids location. Their spay/neuter services are $50 for cats and range from $100-$175 for dogs depending on weight. Additionally, low cost vaccines and other wellness services can be added on at the time of surgery. Appointments are required and can be made by calling their office at 319-363-1225. For more information, please visit Iowa Humane Alliance’s website.
Furry Friends Refuge (West Des Moines)
Furry Friends Refuge offers low cost spay/neuter services in their West Des Moines clinic. Their services range from $50-$60 for cats and $65-$105 for dogs depending on gender and weight. Additionally, microchipping at the time of surgery is only $5! For more information and to make an appointment, please visit Furry Friends Refuge’s website.
Humane Society of North Iowa
The Humane Society of North Iowa does not provide spay/neuter services, but may be able to provide a certificate to be used at participating veterinarians. Please note, the certificate will not cover the full cost of the spay/neuter service. Information is limited online, but their website encourages interested pet owners to call 641-423-6241 for more information.
Animal Protection and Education (Boone)
Animal Protection and Education offers low cost spay/neuter packages. Their spay/neuter packages include vaccines and microchipping. Packages range from $77-$92 for cats and $92-$132 for dogs depending on gender and weight. Their website also mentions additional discounts for pet owners who receive public assistance. Visit Animal Protection and Education’s website for more information.
Humane Society of Northeast Iowa
The Humane Society of Northeast Iowa offers spay/neuter services on a sliding scale to pet owners in Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. To qualify for their sliding scale services, pet owners must meet the income guidelines they have listed on their website. Applications are required and can be found on Humane Society of Northeast Iowa’s website.
Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter (Mahaska County)
Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter offers spay/neuter certificates to low income residents of Mahaska County. To apply, interested pet owners can download the application found on Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter’s website and bring it to their shelter in Oskaloosa along with proof of residency and proof of income.
Siouxland Humane Society (Sioux City)
Siouxland Humane Society offers low cost spay/neuter services to pet owners in Sioux City. Their website does not provide much information, but encourages interested pet owners to call (712)252-2614 ext. 0 for more information.
Vaccine and Wellness Services
The ongoing expense of keeping our pets healthy is often stressful. Thankfully, there are organizations that help! Whether it is exams, testing, vaccines, or medications, many Iowa organizations provide low cost or even free veterinary care!
Low Cost Spay Clinic (Des Moines)
Low Cost Spay Clinic also offers low cost veterinary care in addition to their spay/neuter services. They offer vaccines, exams, and other wellness services. A full list of services (with prices) can be found on Low Cost Spay Clinic’s website. Appointments are prioritized, but walk-ins are welcome Tuesday-Friday from 8am-2pm and Saturday 8am-9am.
Animal Rescue League (Des Moines)
Animal Rescue League offers low cost vaccine packages to companion pets in the Des Moines area. Their packages are $35 and includes a physical exam, distemper and rabies vaccines, and a microchip. Additionally, their website mentions financial assistance for low income pet owners. For more information, please visit Animal Rescue League’s website.
Quad Center Animal Welfare Center (Davenport)
Quad Center Animal Welfare Center offers a mobile clinic the first Friday of every month from 2pm-4pm. They offer vaccines, microchipping, and some preventative medications. Their services are half off for pets who are spayed/neutered. Pet owners with unaltered pets have to pay full price, however half of their fee will be saved as a credit to be used toward a spay/neuter surgery. For more information including services and prices, please visit Quad Center Animal Welfare Center’s website.
Iowa Humane Alliance (Cedar Rapids)
Iowa Humane Alliance regularly offers low cost vaccine and microchip clinics. Please note they only serve dogs, and they charge less for dogs who are spayed/neutered. For a list of services and prices, please visit Iowa Humane Alliance’s website.
Humane Society of Scott County
The Humane Society of Scott County regularly offers rabies vaccine and microchip clinics. The rabies vaccine is only $10 and microchips are free! Please visit the Humane Society of Scott County’s website for more information.
Pet Food Assistance
Pet food is one of the largest expenses of pet care. Our pets need food to stay healthy, but what happens when we cannot afford the food? Many Iowa organizations recognize this struggle and provide pet food assistance for pet owners in need.
Animal Rescue League (Des Moines)
Animal Rescue League offers pet food assistance at two different locations in Des Moines. They offer assistance for up to three pets per household. Assistance is available up to two times a month. Please note, pet owners are only allowed to pick up food for their household. Additionally, Animal Rescue League supplies pet food to other food pantries throughout Des Moines. For more information, please visit Animal Rescue League’s website.
The Pet Project (Des Moines)
The Pet Project may provide pet food assistance for up to five consecutive months. Pet owners must live in the Des Moines metro area to receive assistance. Please note, your pets must be spayed/neutered by the second month of assistance to continue recieiving food. Applications are required and can be found on The Pet Project’s website.
Cedar Valley Humane Society (Cedar Rapids)
Cedar Valley Humane Society operates a pet food bank out of their shelter in Cedar Rapids. Pet owners are able to receive assistance no more than three times a year, and no more than once a month. Their food pantry is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 12pm-5pm. Additionally, they offer a few mobile pet food pantries throughout Iowa. Please visit Cedar Valley Humane Society’s website for more information.
Cedar Rapids AniMeals
Cedar Rapids AniMeals offers pet food assistance to eligible pet owners in Cedar Rapids, Marion or Hiawatha. To qualify, you must receive social security or disability benefits or be referred by a caseworker at one of the organizations listed on their website. For more information and to apply, please visit Cedar Rapids AniMeals website.
Bailing Out Benji “Ames Pet Food Pantry” (Ames)
The Ames Pet Food Pantry is apart of the organization Bailing out Benji. They offer monthly assistance to any pet owner regardless of income. Appointments are required and can be made on Bailing out Benji’s website.
Midlands Humane Society (Pottawattamie County)
Midlands Humane Society may be able to offer pet food assistance to residents of Pottawattamie County. Their website does not provide much information, but interested pet owners are encouraged to call 712-396-2270 for assistance. Proof of residency may be required.
Siouxland Humane Society
Siouxland Humane Society runs a pet food bank out of their Sioux City Shelter. Their stock completely depends on donations and they cannot guarantee assistance. Pet owners seeking assistance are encouraged to call their office at (712) 252-2614, ext. 0 for more information.
More Free Veterinary Care Resources
Our pets provide us with unconditional love and devotion and its only natural to want to care for them in return. But caring for our pets should not break the bank! Iowa pet owners have access to low cost and even free veterinary care that makes pet care affordable. Additionally, check out our post on nationwide pet care resources!