Spay & Neuter Program

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners provide a free Spay and Neuter Program when adopting a dog from the Lorain County Dog Kennel. This program is only offered when the dog is adopted from the Lorain County Dog Kennel and is mandatory to help control our pet population in a positive manner. 

If the dog you adopted from the Lorain County Dog Kennel is not spayed or neutered, the dog will not go home right away. Adopted dogs that need to be spayed or neutered will be transported to the vet by the dog wardens. The new owners are responsible for picking up their dog from the vet a few days later (see schedule below).

Spay/Neuter Program Objectives

In order to protect the community from the dangers of uncontrolled dogs roaming around in search of a mate, to reduce the burdens on law-abiding pet owners who have their pet impregnated by an uncontrolled dog, and to reduce costs to Lorain County by reducing the overpopulation of animals, the Commissioners have adopted a Community Protection Spay and Neuter Program.

As part of this program, all dogs adopted from the Kennel who are healthy enough for surgery will be spayed/neutered prior to going home after an adoption.

Veterinarian Surgery Schedule

(Please note that schedule changes will occur during Holiday Weeks and the public will be notified by the Kennel Staff on date changes.)

Dogs adopted and paid for will be picked up on Wednesdays of the same week and will be taken to:

Friendship APL
8303 Murray Ridge Road
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-322-4321

The veterinary practice has the right to refuse or to postpone spay and neuter for any reason. In the event that the dog is not approved for surgery, the veterinarian will notify the Lorain County Dog Warden.

Picking Up the Dog

Note: Friendship APL will call the new owners to set up a pick-up time at their facility.

The practice will provide the new owner with Written Go Home Care Instructions. If your dog is not ready to be picked up the same day of the surgery, the vet's office will notify you at the number you have listed on sales paperwork at the Kennel.

Dog License & Ownership Costs

Effective December 2, 2022, dogs purchased from the Kennel will generally cost $80 (plus the cost of an annual one-year license fee of $26)

Additional license options are also available. A 3-year license fee would cost $78, a permanent license fee would cost $260, and a kennel fee would cost $120. All license fees may be paid at the Lorain County Dog Kennel or the Lorain County Auditor (please see the Auditor's Webpage for Dog Licenses).

501C3 Approved Rescue Provision

Rescues who provide their 501c3 paperwork and a vet reference will be allowed to pull the dog they choose from the pound and take to any vet of their choice for spay/neuter. This will in part allow out-of-County Rescues to still pull dogs easily from the Kennel.

These rescues must agree to have their pets spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Any rescue that is found to be releasing pets prior to spay or neuter will be denied the benefit of this exception for 501c3 organizations. All 501c paperwork must be emailed here prior to a dog being released to them.