|
SNAP's Houston Mobile Clinic was the very first spaying and neutering clinic on wheels developed in the U.S. SNAP's flagship mobile clinic delivers high-quality spay and neuter services for animals in low-income neighborhoods where cost, transportation and the lack of veterinary services are obstacles to obtaining animal healthcare.
Standard of Care:
SNAP believes that all animals should receive the highest quality veterinary care possible, regardless of whether the services rendered are for free or at reduced-cost. All SNAP facilities use state of the art instruments and equipment. All spay/neuter surgeries are performed by qualified doctors of veterinary medicine, and all animals entrusted to SNAP are attended to before and after surgery by trained veterinary technicians.
PLEASE NOTE: Free services are available ONLY to animals in income-qualified families. The mobile clinic does not serve those who are not on public assistance; however, low-cost services are available to the general public at the SNAP Surgery and Wellness Clinics.
Qualifying for Services:
To qualify for free services, clients must bring Texas-issued identification and proof of participation in one of the following needs-based public assistance programs:
| Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) |
Major VA Disability |
| Food Stamps |
Medicaid |
| Free Lunch Program (Public Schools) |
Social Security Disability (SSD) |
| Harris County Hospital District Gold Card |
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) |
| HUD Section 8 Housing |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) |
|
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Formerly AFDC |
What to Expect/Limitations:
The clinic accepts as many as 24 dogs and cats for sterilization each day. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Animal intake begins at 7:45 a.m., but some clients arrive at the site as early as 5:00 a.m. or earlier. Clients often start a list to keep track of the order in which they arrive. We suggest you check around when you get to a site to see if anyone has done so and to get your name on it. If you don't think your place on the list is correct, find a SNAP intake worker when the mobile unit arrives, and mention it to him or her. We normally accept only one animal per household per day, though we may accept more if we still have space after all clients have been served. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, there are often more clients and animals at each site than we are able to serve. While we strive to take animals in the order of arrival, cage sizes sometimes preclude strict adherence to this policy. Our goal is to serve the maximum number of animals possible on a given day
Restraining Your Animal:
Upon arrival, all dogs and cats should be restrained by a leash or in a carrier. The mobile clinic does accept feral (wild) cats. Feral cats must be brought to the site in a humane trap.
Vaccination Policies:
Current rabies vaccination is required for all dogs and cats. If your animal has been vaccinated against rabies, a valid vaccination certificate must be provided. Unvaccinated animals and animals without proof of current rabies vaccinations will be vaccinated against rabies free of charge. In order to get a Houston city animal license, you must present proof of a current rabies vaccination or have the animal vaccinated on the mobile clinic. Other vaccinations are not required by law but are strongly recommended. Please see our fee schedule (PDF file, Adobe Acrobat Reader required) for the cost of other vaccinations. The mobile clinic offers vaccinations only when an animal is being spayed or neutered.
Pick-up Time:
Once surgical procedures are completed and after full recovery from anesthesia, animals are discharged from the clinic the same day as surgery. Animals are usually ready to be picked up between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. For the safety of surgery patients, no overnight stays are permitted.
Emergencies:
Should any emergencies or postsurgical questions arise, our medical team is on call 24 hours a day for your convenience. Our Houston medical team may be contacted by dialing 713-315-0341.
| 
