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Welcome To
Rochester Community Animal Clinic (RCAC)
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About Us
Vaccines and Spay & Neuter Clinic in Rochester, NY
RCAC is a community-focused spay & neuter clinic that provides compassionate, high-quality care for everyone. We are dedicated to promoting public health through our vaccine clinics, and we aim to positively impact our community, 1 pet at a time.
If your pet is experiencing medical concerns, please visit a full-service animal hospital or contact a local urgent care/emergency hospital.
Our Veterinary Services
All spay and neuter surgeries are scheduled in advance, and detailed information about our check-in and discharge procedures is provided when the appointment is booked.
Cancellations: RCAC requires 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment, otherwise, a $50 late cancellation/no-show fee will be applied.
Check-In/Arrival On the morning of your scheduled surgery appointment, pets must arrive promptly at the following times.
- All cats to be dropped off at 7:30am. Please arrive no later than 8am.
- All dogs to be dropped off at 8:00am. Please arrive no later than 8:30am.
- Pets that come past 30 minutes from drop off time will be charge a late fee.
- Feral Cats – Please email us at rcac.info@thrivepet.com to schedule when ferals can be dropped off. If you have been approved to bring in a feral, you will drop off anytime from 7:30am – 10am. Feral surgery form will need to be filled out.
PLAN TO BE AT THE CLINIC FOR 30 MINUTES when you drop off your animal for surgery. Since RCAC has a very strict schedule on surgery days, late arrival the day of surgery may result in an extra $25 fee or possible cancellation of surgery.
- Please text 585-288-8151 when you arrive. A receptionist will let you know when to bring your pet in.
- Cats must arrive in a secured carrier. We also recommend that you cover the carrier with a towel or sheet to keep the cat calm. Cardboard carriers will not be accepted. If you are bringing more than 1 cat, make sure each cat is in their own carrier.
- Dogs must arrive on a leash.
Discharge
Pick-up times occur on the same day of surgery at:
- Dogs: 3pm
- Cats: 4pm
RCAC conducts group discharges at the listed times. (Failure to arrive on time for your scheduled discharge time may result in a fee.)
If possible, we always recommend that you plan to have someone home to monitor your pet for several hours after discharge. Complete post-operative instructions will be provided via email and when you come and pick up your pet.
Please note: Discharge time may vary. If there will be a delay with pick up, communicate that with the receptionist so they are aware.
Night before surgery: All spay/neuter patients must have food withdrawn at midnight the night before surgery. Water is okay. Surgery may be cancelled if your animal receives any food the morning of surgery.
Day of surgery:
- Please walk your dog before arriving at the clinic on the morning of surgery. He/she will be inside all day.
- Please text 585-288-8151 when you arrive.
- Dogs must arrive on a leash.
- Cats must be in a clean pet carrier (commercially manufactured for the purpose of transporting felines) with a secured door. We recommend that you cover it with a towel or sheet to keep the cat calm. Surgery may be cancelled for cats arriving in poorly repaired carriers, boxes, laundry hampers or other homemade devices.
- Owners arriving with multiple cats need to provide 1 carrier per cat. Multiple cats arriving in 1 carrier may have surgery rescheduled or the owner may be required to purchase an additional carrier.
Activity: Upon return from your appointment, it is recommended that someone be available to monitor your pet for several hours. Keep your pet in a warm, dry, and quiet area, away from all hazards (including stairs, young children, and other animals). Avoid too much handling as he/she may try to bite or scratch. Do not allow pet to run, jump, play, swim, or be bathed/groomed for 10 days after surgery. Leash dogs for short walks only, for 14 days.
Diet: Offer a small amount of food and water as soon as your pet is fully awake. If vomiting occurs, wait a couple of hours to offer a little more food. Provide the normal amount of food and water beginning on the day after surgery.
- Please note, if your pet doesn’t eat, that is ok and normal. Some pets won’t eat due to anesthesia. If they do not return to their normal eating habits by the next day, you can call your full-service vet or an emergency vet.
Sutures & Tattoo: Unless otherwise noted, all pets receive sutures placed under the skin that DO NOT need to be removed. All dogs and female cats also receive a green tattoo next to the incision which permanently identifies him/her as neutered or spayed.
Incision Site Care: It is very important that you keep your pet from licking or biting at the surgery area since serious harm may result. An e-collar (or cone) will be sent home after surgery and should be kept on the pet for 10-14 days. Check the incision site twice daily for 10 days. As long as the incision remains closed, clean, and free from discharge, it progresses normally. A very small amount of redness/swelling at the incision is normal. If you notice any significant swelling, redness, bleeding, or discharge contact a veterinary to have it looked at. Contact RCAC (585-288-0600); Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services (585-775-0020); or another full-service veterinary hospital; if any of the following occur:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Depression/Lethargy/Loss of Appetite
- Coughing/Sneezing
- Excessive Incision Site Swelling or Opening
- Bleeding or Discharge at Incision Site
Our Vaccine Clinics are open to the full community, with no income requirement needed.
Our clinics will always be posted on the green banner on this page with dates and times.
If this is your first time at our clinic or if you have a new pet, please fill out this application.
What to expect when you arrive:
Our parking lot may be full if the clinic is busy, so there may be times you need to park along the street.
Depending on the time you are coming, please expect a longer wait between waiting in line to check in and waiting in the lobby
If your pet is rowdier or is not good with other dogs, we ask that you leave your dog in a temperature-controlled vehicle while you check in.
Cats must come in a carrier for their safety.
While checking in, the receptionist will get your and your pets' information and confirm the vaccines you would like them to receive.
*If you do not have proof of rabies, if your pet has never received the rabies vaccine, your pet must get a rabies vaccine at that visit, along with any vaccines you want to add.
- Payment is due at check-in. The receptionist will give you the total.
- While waiting in the lobby, if your pet soils the floor, there are pick-up stations to pick up their mess
IMPORTANT* Pets are the only ones permitted in the treatment area for vaccinations. For safety reasons, clients cannot accompany their pets in the back. This policy protects everyone, patients, staff, and owners, given the constant movement of employees, the presence of other animals, and the use of medical equipment such as needles.
We ask that pet parents remain in the lobby while their pet is being seen. This helps us maintain an efficient workflow, especially since we care for a high volume of patients each clinic day. Keeping the treatment area limited to staff and pets allows us to work safely and effectively.
If you have any questions about this policy, please speak with an associate.
More About Us
For Patients, Ferals, and Rescue Partners
43.171119
-77.566795
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