The PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) program is offered by the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) to reduce our community’s homeless pet population by assisting people who do not have the financial ability to spay or neuter their animals. Citizens of Edmonton and surrounding communities with low income can apply to have their dog(s) and/or cat(s) spayed/neutered through PALS, and pay only the administration fee.
Help Prevent Another Litter
Each year, we assist hundreds of animals and pet guardians in reducing homeless animals and unwanted litters.
This program is accessible for low-income people living in Edmonton and surrounding communities (within 200 km) who have a cat or dog between the ages of 4 months to 6years who are healthy and that need to be spayed/neutered.
Note: A maximum of six pets per household can be spayed/neutered through the program.
How to Apply for the PALS Program
Due to high demand, the portal opens on the second Monday of every month at 8 a.m. and closes when the upcoming month’s appointments are filled. Please check back regularly.
Note: If the second Monday of the month falls on a holiday, the application portal will open the next day, at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
There is a separate application for dogs and cats, so please ensure you are completing the correct application form. If you have a dog and cat, then you must complete two separate applications. A maximum of six pets (cats or dogs) per household can be spayed/neutered through the program.
Step 1: Obtain Your Proof of Low-Income
Proof of income is required based on the Canadian Low Income thresholds available here, and must show your full name.
Documents include any government-issued paperwork stating your yearly household income, such as:
AISH card
Social Assistance Statement (full benefit statement)
Current Year Tax NOA (web and mailed version)
Must show your name and line 15000 – Total Income
Please click here to see examples of documents that must be submitted.
Note: We CANNOT accept paystubs, bank statements, or T4’s.
Step 2: Confirm Your Payment
Payment is required when you apply and does not guarantee your appointment. If you do not submit payment, your application will NOT be submitted.
You can pay by debit or credit card or through PayPal online.
Administration fees for this program are non-refundable. Fees are $40 per animal (cats or dogs).
Note: Some browsers, like Safari, may not process payments correctly. It’s recommended that applicants use Google Chrome.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Once you have your proof of income and are ready to process payment, fill out the application form available on this page.
Before you apply, please be aware that:
The application process can take up to 14 days
If approved, appointments are typically booked two months in advance. There may be a considerable wait time between your approval and your appointment.
If your pet is in heat:
You must advise us during your application. For the safety of the animal, we may need to adjust your booking time.
If your pet is 6 years or older:
Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis and animals over 7 years of age cannot be accepted for this program.
Step 4: Await Confirmation
Completed applications are normally reviewed within 14 days. If not approved, you will receive a notice that your application was not successful. If you are interested in reapplying, please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in Step 1.
PLEASE NOTE: If you don’t get a confirmation email within 24 hours, your application did not complete and you will need to reapply. This most often happens because of missing or incomplete payment.
Applications for the 2025 PALS program in-shelter are open!
Note: Applying for an appointment does not guarantee your booking. Please mark EHS as a trusted sender and check your email for more information regarding your application.
To access the PALS Application Portal, click one of the buttons below.
Our spay and neuter services go on the road during the summer months and come to communities throughout Edmonton. The Mobile PALS Unit helps to make our PALS spay and neuter program more accessible.
The Mobile PALS season normally starts the first week of May. The application portal for appointments will open the second Monday of March to fill May appointments and then on the second Monday of every month to fill the next month’s appointments. The application portal will automatically close once the appointments for Mobile PALS unit are filled.
The application portal will automatically close once the appointments for the Mobile Unit are filled.
Different locations will be available on the application each month, so please check the following month if the locations listed on the current application portal don’t work for you.
Note: Mobile PALS can only accommodate small dogs (under 30 lbs) and there are a limited number of appointments available.
Applications for the Mobile PALS program are currently closed.
Please check back later for updates on when the program re-opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our pricing has recently changed to better support this program. Administration fees for this program are $40 per animal and are non-refundable.
Yes, it is mandatory that each pet that goes through the PALS Program is microchipped. The only time we do not administer a microchip is if the pet already has one.
No, it does not cost extra.
No, we only have the medical license to spay/neuter cats and dogs for the public through our subsidized program (PALS).
No, we are only able to spay/neuter cats and dogs through our PALS Program currently.
Yes, each cat or dog that goes through the PALS Program is eligible to receive a rabies vaccine and a combination vaccine (if needed). For more information on what vaccines are offered, click here.
No, it does not cost extra.
No, we only have a medical license to administer vaccines at the time of surgery.
No, we are able supply cones for each cat/dog that goes through the PALS Program.
We ask that once the cone is no longer required, to please return it — if possible.
Why spay and neuter your pets?
Prevent unwanted litters and reduce pet overpopulation
Reduces unwanted behaviours such as roaming, spraying, mounting, persistent barking or meowing
Decreases the likelihood of fight-related injuries
May increase life span of pet
Reduces risks of medical problems, such as certain types of cancer
Each year, unplanned and unwanted litters create millions of homeless pets. Spaying and neutering is one of the steps we can take to get at the root of pet overpopulation, preventing unwanted litters and reducing the number of homeless pets.
