Getting 2 outdoor cats ready for surgery is no joke. When I signed Maddie and Alexander up for a low-cost spay and neuter event in Cebu, I thought the hardest part would be the operation itself. Turns out, the real challenge was everything leading up to it… from keeping them indoors overnight to surviving Maddie’s nonstop yowling in the car!
In this post, I’ll share our full experience: why I decided to spay and neuter them, what the low-cost program was like, how much I paid, and how recovery went at home. If you’re thinking about doing the same for your cats, here’s what it’s really like.
How We Prepared Our Cats The Night Before Their Spay and Neuter Surgery?
The vet’s instructions were clear: no food or water for at least 8-12 hours before surgery. Sounds simple, right? Not when your cats are used to roaming outside and eating whenever they please.
Alexander, my orange boy, is mellow and doesn’t mind being indoors. Maddie, his calico sister, is the complete opposite; she’s independent, loud, and stubborn. Locking her inside overnight felt like preparing for battle.
Anyway, we made sure both cats had their fill before midnight, which was at least 9 hours before the event started at 9 am the following day.
At midnight, we set up my son’s bedroom with a litter box, their crates, and even a CCTV camera so we could keep an eye on them. My son slept in our room that night, so the cats had the whole space to themselves.
And what a night it was. They meowed endlessly, staged zoomies around the room, and even managed to knock the CCTV over, so we lost our live feed. By morning, the room was a disaster. LOL! Litter was scattered everywhere, and poop was both in and out of the box. Luckily, we had a waterproof mattress cover and a leather couch, so cleanup wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.
The silver lining was that fasting had been successful, and they were surprisingly cooperative when it was time to get them into their crates.
Why Did I Decide to Spay and Neuter My Cats?
Maddie had already given birth twice — 5 kittens the first time, 4 the second. During her spay, the vets confirmed she was pregnant again and had to perform an abortion. As much as I love kittens, I didn’t want to keep going through unexpected litters.
Alexander, meanwhile, was acting like a textbook tomcat. At only a year and a half old, he’d disappear for days at a time, returning with scratches, bald spots, and that wild “I’ve been fighting” look.
Beyond my personal reasons, there are important health and behavior benefits:
- Females are less likely to develop pyometra (a dangerous uterine infection) and certain cancers.
- Males become less territorial, fight less, and are less likely to roam.
- Both sexes live calmer, healthier lives overall.
How Did I Feel Before the Cat Spay and Neuter Surgery?
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Surgery, no matter how routine, always carries risks. I’d even seen a video where a cat had to be revived because the owner didn’t follow fasting rules. That haunted me the whole night before their operation.
The vet checklist was strict: the cats had to be healthy, not vomiting or having diarrhea, not nursing, and preferably not in heat. They had to arrive in secure crates. Maddie and Alexander passed all these requirements, but I still couldn’t shake the worry.
Anyway, for your reference, these were the requirements posted by Sugbo Animal Birth Control Veterinarians on their FB page:
What Was the Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Process Like in Cebu?
The surgery was held at Pacific Mall in Mandaue. We left the house around 8 a.m., crates in tow. Maddie howled the entire drive, while Alexander stayed quiet and resigned to his fate.
By the time I arrived at the 3rd floor around 9:15 a.m., registration had just opened, but the line was already long. We were assigned numbers 102 and 103. Clearly, the event was popular. Later, I learned they operated on nearly 200 animals that day.
The waiting stretched for 4 hours, but chatting with other pet owners helped pass the time. Many had done this before and shared tips about recovery, meds, and what to expect.
When our turn finally came, the vets anesthetized both cats quickly and carried them into the operating room. I caught a glimpse of Maddie’s belly being shaved before the curtain closed.
Alexander’s neuter took just 2 minutes. He was brought out unconscious, tongue lolling, looking almost comical.
Maddie’s spay procedure lasted longer (maybe 15 to 20 minutes) since it included an abortion. Despite that, she woke up almost immediately afterward, while Alexander stayed knocked out for another 40 minutes.
Both looked “drunk” — wobbly legs, glassy eyes, confused expressions. Once they were semi-awake, they received their free anti-rabies shots, and we were cleared to head home.
What Was Recovery Like for My Cats at Home?
The vet’s instructions were simple:
- Keep them indoors for at least 5 days.
- Don’t let them lick, bite or chew their wounds.
- Give all prescribed antibiotics, pain relievers, and vitamins on schedule.
- Monitor their appetite, litter box use, and energy levels.
Simple, yes. Easy, no.
The "cones of shame" were a disaster at first. They slipped them off within the first hour. We ended up taping the cones to make them more secure, and eventually, the cats gave up fighting them.
Feeding was messy. Their cones made eating and drinking awkward, and they didn’t have much appetite on the first day. We initially spoon-fed them wet food, then switched back to dry food once they were steadier on their feet.
Giving meds was a two-person job. One of us held the cat firmly while the other syringed the liquid straight into the throat. Our cats were prescribed:
Co-Amoxiclav (antibiotic) → 1 ml twice a day for 7 days
Tolfenol (pain reliever) → 0.6 ml once a day for 5 days
Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) → 2 ml once a day until finished
By Day 2, they were noticeably better. By Day 10, their wounds had healed, fur was growing back, and they were back to their usual antics.
How Much Did Cat Spay and Neuter Cost in Cebu?
Here’s the exact breakdown of what I paid at the low-cost event:
- Maddie: ₱900 (spay) + ₱500 (abortion)
- Alexander: ₱800 (neuter)
- Medicines: ₱400 (antibiotic, pain reliever, vitamin C)
Total: ₱3,000 (including a ₱400 slot reservation fee paid a couple of weeks prior).
For comparison, I had previously inquired at a private clinic and was quoted around ₱15,000 for both cats. That’s five times more expensive!
For your reference, here's Sugbo Vets' price list for both cats and dogs (click to enlarge to see full rates). Note they prioritize aspins and puspins (native or non-purebred dogs and cats) for this low-cost program.
Plus, you might even get free anti-rabies vaccination like my cats did at this September 13 event!
What Did I Learn From My Cats’ Spay and Neuter Journey?
That the hardest part isn’t the surgery, it’s everything around it. From the sleepless night before to taping cones and cleaning messes, it’s an exercise in patience and love.
But it was absolutely worth it. Both Maddie and Alexander are healthier, calmer, and safer. And I saved a huge amount by joining the low-cost program.
Would I Spay or Neuter My Cats Again in the Future?
Yes, without hesitation. Maddie’s son Blackiki (so named because he looks like a black striped tiger, haha!) is next in line once he’s old enough. If he inherits his mom’s loud voice, I’d better prepare my ears for another noisy car ride.
Final Thoughts
Spaying and neutering may feel intimidating, especially the first time. But it’s one of the best things you can do for your cats' health, your sanity, and the greater good.
Have you had your pets spayed or neutered? How was your experience? Share your story in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!