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Low-Cost Vet Care in Bakersfield, CA (October 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026 · Kern County · 1 clinics, 2 24/7 ERs, 3 programs checked
Prices last checked October 23, 2026
Not veterinary advice. Call ahead to confirm prices, hours, and whether the clinic can see your pet.
Bakersfield's main low-cost clinic is the nonprofit Critters Without Litters on Stine Road, which publishes its spay/neuter and vaccine prices. Together Spay It Forward and the SNIP Bus run free or low-cost spay/neuter clinics, Kern County Animal Services offers $20 or free surgery for unincorporated county residents, and two hospitals are open 24 hours.
Emergency right now? Go to a 24/7 emergency vet. Ask for a written estimate and whether they take CareCredit or Scratch before treatment starts.
Also from $20 · Kern County Animal Services low-cost spay/neuter Kern County Animal Services · Source (opens in a new tab)
Lowest published price on this page for each service. The name under the price is the exact offer, which may be a special program. Confirm before you go.
Quick answer: 3 cheapest ways to see a vet in Bakersfield this week
$65 cat spay/neuter. Critters Without Litters at 4300 Stine Road charges $65 to spay or neuter a cat. Dog surgery is $120–$220 by sex and weight, including an e-collar and go-home pain medication. Appointments required. Source (opens in a new tab) · Verified October 23, 2026
$18 walk-in vaccines. Walk in Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at Critters Without Litters for $18 vaccines, including rabies, DAPP, Bordetella, FVRCP and FeLV. No appointment necessary. Source (opens in a new tab) · Verified October 23, 2026
24-hour emergency care. Animal Emergency & Urgent Care at 4300 Easton Dr is a 24-hour facility; call (661) 322-6019. VCA Bakersfield Animal Hospital at 8610 Harris Road is also open 24 hours. Source (opens in a new tab) · Verified October 23, 2026
Vaccines (rabies, DAPP, Bordetella, lepto, FVRCP, FeLV)$18 each
Canine influenza vaccine$30
Heartworm test$25
Microchip$25
FeLV/FIV test (at surgery only)$35
Dog surgery needs a $25 non-refundable deposit when booking. Extra fees apply for pregnant or in-heat dogs, cryptorchid males and hernia repair. Pre-surgical blood work ($60) is highly recommended for pets over five.
Eligibility
Spay/neuter by appointment (book online). Vaccines are walk-in with no appointment. Dogs over four months need proof of rabies vaccination or will be vaccinated at surgery for $18.
Payment
Cash, credit or debit cards. No personal checks or CareCredit.
Hours
Business hours Mon–Thu 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Walk-in vaccines Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Surgery check-in is 7 a.m. for dogs and 7:30 a.m. for cats.
Prices are what each clinic publishes on its own website, not quotes. Exams, deposits, pain medication and weight surcharges can change the total. If a clinic doesn’t publish a price, we list it as “Call for pricing”.
Spay/neuter and vaccine programs
$20 or free
Kern County Animal Services low-cost spay/neuter
Kern County Animal Services
For residents of unincorporated Kern County, Tehachapi or Arvin only (not the City of Bakersfield). $20 surgery, or free for unincorporated residents in ZIP codes 93305, 93306, 93307 or 93308. Apply online with proof of address and a pet photo; up to 4 animals per household per lifetime. A low-income voucher ($20 copay) and a Save the Pitties voucher ($0 copay) can be used at participating vets. Kern County Animal Services, 3951 Fruitvale Ave., (661) 868-7100.
Volunteer-run nonprofit that fundraises to offer free spay/neuter clinics for dogs and cats, plus free and low-cost vaccines. Once funding and the next clinic date are set, it is posted on the website, Facebook, Instagram and Nextdoor, so check there for the next date.
Low-cost; pricing varies by clinic depending on sponsorship
SNIP Bus mobile spay/neuter (Kern County)
SNIP Bus (Spay Neuter Imperative Project)
Nonprofit mobile spay/neuter clinic. Text 925-788-1763 to book a Kern County clinic. Pets must be at least 8 weeks and 2 pounds (maximum 75 lbs). Clinic dates are posted on SNIP's Facebook and Instagram. Missed appointments forfeit the deposit.
Fees are due at the time of service. Cash, checks with Telecheck approval, all major credit cards and CareCredit. The fee and form of payment are discussed before your pet is admitted.
National funds like RedRover Relief, Frankie’s Friends and The Pet Fund each cover one kind of case and pay the vet directly. See who qualifies in our verified list of pet financial assistance programs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to spay or neuter a cat in Bakersfield?
Critters Without Litters charges $65 for a cat spay or neuter. Dog surgery is $120–$220 depending on sex and weight.
Where can I get cheap pet vaccines in Bakersfield?
Critters Without Litters offers walk-in vaccines Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at $18 each for rabies, DAPP, Bordetella, lepto, FVRCP and FeLV.
Is there free spay/neuter in Bakersfield?
Together Spay It Forward holds free spay/neuter clinics when funding allows. Kern County Animal Services offers free surgery to unincorporated county residents in ZIP codes 93305–93308.
Where is a 24-hour emergency vet in Bakersfield?
Animal Emergency & Urgent Care at 4300 Easton Dr ((661) 322-6019) and VCA Bakersfield Animal Hospital at 8610 Harris Road (661-327-4444) are open 24 hours.