Our Commitment to Animal Health & Veterinary Care

At DAWS, the health and well-being of every animal in our care is a top priority. Each year, DAWS provides shelter, medical care, and a second chance to more than 1,000 homeless animals.

Every animal entering our care receives a comprehensive intake examination, age-appropriate vaccinations, and ongoing preventive and responsive medical care throughout their time at DAWS. All animals six months of age and older are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. These services are provided by our clinic staff and veterinarians, as well as our trusted local veterinary partners.

From the moment an animal arrives at DAWS until the day they find their forever home, we are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality medical care. Our team closely monitors each animal’s health, addresses medical concerns as they arise, and works to ensure every animal is healthy and ready for adoption.

Medical Holds & Adoption Readiness

The health of our animals is always our priority. If an animal exhibits signs of a potential medical concern, including but not limited to eye or nasal discharge, coughing, limping, changes in appetite, digestive issues, difficulty with normal bathroom habits, or any other symptoms that may require veterinary attention, DAWS will place the animal on a medical hold.

Animals on medical hold are not available for adoption until they have been evaluated and medically cleared by a veterinarian.

Once an adoption is finalized, responsibility for the animal’s ongoing veterinary care transfers to the adopter. We encourage all adopters to establish a relationship with a veterinarian to ensure their new family member continues to receive the care they need to live a healthy and happy life.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Services

Due to the high volume of local and Southern rescue animals entering our care each year, DAWS is currently limiting spay and neuter surgeries to age-appropriate animals in our adoption program, as well as those served through our ongoing Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program.

While we are not currently offering low-cost spay and neuter services to the general public, we remain committed to reducing animal overpopulation through our rescue efforts and continued support of community cats through our TNR program. Please visit our TNR Program Page to learn more about this important initiative.

Finding Affordable Spay & Neuter Services

There are veterinary clinics and organizations throughout Connecticut and the surrounding region whose primary focus is providing affordable spay and neuter services for cats and dogs.

If you are seeking low-cost spay or neuter services for your pet, we encourage you to speak with your veterinarian about available options or search online using terms such as “low-cost spay and neuter clinics near me” or “affordable spay and neuter services in Connecticut.”