How to Book a FoMCA Spay/Neuter Clinic Appointment

Updated

FoMCA (Friends of Madison County Animals) now accepts spay/neuter clinic appointments online only — there is no phone or walk-in booking. To reserve a spot, you complete the online appointment request on fomca.org, wait for confirmation of your date and time, and arrive with your pet on the assigned clinic day. Because slots are limited and the clinic is one of FoMCA's largest programs, book as early as you can and ask about the current wait before you plan around a date.

Before You Book

FoMCA's site does not publish a checklist of required information, so confirm details with the clinic when your appointment is confirmed. In practice, expect to provide:

  • Your name, phone number, and email address
  • Your pet's species, age, sex, and weight
  • Whether the animal is a community/feral cat (FoMCA runs a separate Trap/Neuter/Return program for free-roaming colonies — see below)
  • Any known health issues or medications
  • Whether you need financial assistance — FoMCA's mission includes free and low-cost services for owners in need, but eligibility is decided by the organization, not by the website

Step-by-Step Booking

  1. Go to fomca.org and open the Spay/Neuter Clinics section under Programs & Services.
  2. Start the online appointment request. This is the only accepted booking method per FoMCA.
  3. Submit your pet and contact details as prompted.
  4. Wait for confirmation. Do not assume a date until FoMCA confirms it — the site notes appointments are accepted online but does not promise instant scheduling.
  5. Follow pre-surgery instructions given at confirmation (typically withholding food the night before; confirm exact timing with FoMCA).
  6. Arrive at your assigned time on clinic day with your pet secured in a carrier or crate.

Verify Your Booking

  • Keep the confirmation email or message with the date, time, and location.
  • If you haven't heard back within a reasonable window, follow up by email rather than showing up — walk-ins are not part of the stated process.
  • Ask at confirmation what the drop-off and pickup windows are, since clinic days are scheduled in blocks.

If FoMCA's Clinic Is Full or Too Far

FoMCA explicitly lists alternative spay/neuter options outside Madison County on its site. If the clinic schedule doesn't work for you:

  • Check FoMCA's posted alternatives list first — it is maintained specifically for this purpose.
  • Compare options on cost, travel distance, earliest available date, and whether the provider offers low-cost or voucher-assisted pricing.
  • Ask each provider whether they require proof of rabies vaccination or a recent exam before surgery.

Related FoMCA Programs Worth Knowing

Program What it covers How to access
Spay/Neuter Clinics Low-cost sterilization; FoMCA's largest program Online appointment only
Emergency Vet Assistance Vouchers Financial help for pets with emergency illness or injury For qualifying families/individuals — ask FoMCA about qualification
Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Free-roaming/feral cat colonies, run with Friends2Ferals Email FoMCA for help with a known colony

If you are feeding a feral colony, do not book a standard clinic appointment — use the TNR route instead, since the process and partner organization differ.

Common Snags

  • Assuming phone booking works. It doesn't; only online requests are accepted.
  • Booking too late. Popular programs fill up; ask about the next available date when you submit.
  • Skipping the confirmation step. Treat your request as pending until FoMCA replies.
  • Bringing a feral cat to a regular appointment. Colony cats go through the TNR program with Friends2Ferals.

FoMCA also accepts donations to support these programs and invites volunteers — useful if you want to help offset demand rather than only book a slot.