Lane County low-cost spay-neuter clinic closes after 18 years

The Willamette Animal Guild shut its low-cost spay and neuter clinic immediately, ending 18 years of service in Eugene and leaving pet owners with one less affordable option just as the county says it already faces a severe overpopulation problem.

The closure carries immediate consequences for families that relied on discounted surgery to keep pets healthy and bills manageable. WAG said its board could not find a replacement after health challenges forced its longtime president to step away, and it was also working to refund scheduled surgeries. In Lane County, where Animal Services says there is an “enormous pet overpopulation problem,” that loss reaches beyond one nonprofit’s doors.

County officials estimate there are about 40,000 stray or feral cats in the area. Lane County’s spay and neuter voucher program exists because the cost of surgery can be out of reach for low-income households. When funds are available, qualified owners in unincorporated Lane County can receive $100 vouchers, one for a dog and one for a cat per household each year. The program is paid for with a portion of license sales and public donations.

There are still lower-cost options, but fewer than before. The City of Eugene Spay & Neuter Clinic continues to operate at 3970 West 1st Ave. in Eugene, and Lane County’s directory still points pet owners to Greenhill Humane Society and SPOT in Springfield. The City of Eugene shifted to a tiered fee schedule based on residency on January 5, 2026, and the city says the clinic is part of its strategy to help control the local pet population.

WAG had long filled a gap. Its website said the nonprofit aimed to sterilize more than 5,000 animals a year and relied on low service fees and private donations, not government funding. The group traces its roots to February 25, 1999, when it was incorporated as The Amazon Park Animal League, before its articles were amended on December 10, 2004 to become Willamette Animal Guild. Its former clinic stood at 3045 Royal Ave. in Eugene.

The shutdown also echoes earlier strain. In June 2022, WAG paused spay and neuter services because it lacked a Certified Vet Technician. Lane County no longer takes in feral cats and instead works through the Feral Fix Program with Greenhill Humane Society and local veterinarians, a sign that the region has been trying to manage a pressure that has not gone away. With WAG gone, longer waits and higher prices could push more owners to delay surgery, a shift that can mean more litters, more stray animals and more strain on shelters already working near capacity.