For your pet’s safety, please watch this or read below prior to your pet’s surgery. Please note: arrival times are different than what is explained in this video. Arrive at the white booth in the parking lot at your given appointment time.
We are performing surgeries Tuesday through Friday by appointment only. We are currently receiving an unprecedented number of requests for surgery. Please understand that, even though you’ve been given an arrival time, you may have to wait for up to an hour. Please be patient (and kind) as we work to help hundreds of pets each week.
To make an appointment for your pet, visit this page !
Cats must come in secure carriers or live humane traps, of appropriate size, with a liner of newspaper, towel, or blanket. This will be the kennel in which your cat stays for the entire day. Please ensure that your cat is comfortable while waiting their turn for surgery. No treats/food in carriers, as we want your pet to have an empty stomach. Please, no litter boxes in carriers, as this causes additional debris to be stuck to your pet’s fur or incision site after surgery. PRCKC sells cardboard carriers for $8, which can be purchased in advance for your appointment. If your cat can only be handled by you on a regular basis, then a live, humane trap may be required for the safety of staff. These are available at PRCKC, in advance, with deposit.
Feral/community cats MUST arrive in a live humane trap. Failure to do so will result in denial of services. For more information on TNR and community cats please visit our Community Cats section.
Dogs must be brought in on a secure leash. Retractable leashes should be kept at a short, locked length. Collars should be checked for tightness to avoid the pet slipping out of it. Please be sure to keep your dog close to your side when entering the building, as this environment can be stressful/exciting for a pet and safety for all animals and humans is our priority. If your dog is known to be aggressive with other animals or humans, bring an appropriately sized muzzle, and have it on your pet for drop off. If you’re not able to provide one for your pet, let us know when you check in at the booth, and we can bring one out for you.
Please withhold all food after 10 PM the day before your pet’s appointment. Water is ok to leave out. If your pet accidentally gets a small amount of food the day of surgery, discuss with staff upon arrival. If a full meal was eaten, or other factors are involved, then we will likely need to reschedule your pet’s surgery appointment. A full meal can pose a serious problem while the pet is under anesthetic, should they regurgitate. This can block air passageways and/or cause aspiration.
You may want to give your pet a bath prior to coming in for surgery, as we will request that you do not bathe your pet for 10-14 days after surgery. If your pet’s fur is currently caked with mud or the hair is matted, you may want to go to a groomer prior to surgery. PRCKC’s staff will shave the belly and genital regions only and will utilize a clinical scrub and wash in those areas. However, PRCKC will not be bathing or grooming your pet prior to surgery. If you are in need of a low cost groomer, we highly recommend Pawsperity, which is conveniently located next to our building. Visit their website for additional information on their organization.
Check-in and checkout happens curbside, in our parking lot.
When you booked your pet for surgery, you were given an arrival time. Please check in at the white booth at that time and we’ll get you in as quickly as we can. It’s fairly self-explanatory but we do have parking lot attendants to help you go where you need to go.
Still, please be aware that you might have to wait so plan accordingly. If you can’t or won’t wait, we’d be glad to recommend a full-service clinic for your pet.
Please keep your phone by your side, for check in, and while your pet is with us, as we may have very important questions for you regarding your pet. Not all of PRCKC’s phone lines show up with the phone number 816-353-0940, and some staff may utilize their cell phones to contact you, therefore, please answer the day of surgery, even if it is an unknown number.
Please know, if you send someone in your place to check in or pick up your pet, they are acting as your agent and are signing a document on your behalf. We will be asking a lot of additional questions about your pet at check-in, therefore, it’s important that your agent knows your pet well. Utilize trusted individuals for this, as any services or items that are requested or declined by your agent will or will not be performed and you are responsible for all charges the day services are rendered. Please be available, via telephone, if your agent is unsure of all your wishes.
If your pet has a pre-existing condition, such as: a heart murmur; blood condition; neurological condition; prior reaction to anesthetic; disease or major illness/injury which requires special ongoing attention, you have the option of taking your pet to a full service veterinary clinic. For our spay/neuter clinic we require all pets to be less than 10 years old and with no current or underlying medical issues. If your pet has but not limited to: heart murmur, seizures, thyroid disease, diabetes, Cushings, chronic liver or kidney disease, or any other underlying issue our veterinarians deem unsafe you will be rescheduled through our dental/procedures department. This department allows for a more thorough examination, personalized drug plans and a more closely monitored pet.
Please inform us immediately if you are aware of any underlying condition in your pet and let us discuss with you the options. If we find any of the previously listed or additional concerning issues on the day of spay/neuter your pet could be declined services and asked to reschedule.
PRCKC cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from pre-existing conditions not discussed with staff prior to surgery, age or health-related issues brought on by the surgery, or for contagious diseases/parasites for which the animal was not previously vaccinated/treated for prior to coming to our facility.
