Medical Care

Care for Shelter Animals

The Medical Center’s team of veterinarians, volunteer veterinary specialists, and technicians provide all medical care for the approximately 400 dogs and cats housed at the League at any given time.  Besides routine physical examinations, spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and dental work, the Center frequently confronts problems like parvovirus, ringworm, distemper, and heartworm that are not regularly seen in private clinics. The League’s partner shelters, which lack resources for veterinary care, often transfer their sick and injured animals to the League for treatment.

Click here to meet our medical team!

Care for Companion Animals of Low-Income Residents

The Medical Center is the only local veterinary facility that offers affordable, full-service care to low-income residents of the District of Columbia.  Without its help, the clinic’s clients might have no choice but to euthanize their animal companions when they became sick or injured. Each year, the Center treats about 7,000 low-income patients.

Affordable Spaying and Neutering

In response to the area’s severe and ongoing pet overpopulation problem, the Medical Center offers affordable spaying and neutering of dogs and cats belonging to the members of the low-income community it serves. The fees are: $25 male cats, $45 female cats, $55 male dogs, and $65 to spay female dogs.

Weekly Low-Cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinics

The Medical Center holds a low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic every Wednesday evening, from 5 - 7 p.m. At these clinics, canine rabies, distemper/parvovirus, and bordatella vaccines are $10 each.  Feline rabires, distemper, and leukemia immunizations are availableare $15 each. Microchips are $25. No appointment is necessary and there is no limit to the number of animals that an individual may bring.

Male Cat Neutering Clinics

Male cats can be neutered at the League’s Medical Center for $25 Wednesday-Friday each week. No appointments are necessary.  To qualify for these clinics, owners must have a yearly income of no more than $30,000 and reside in the District of Columbia, Arlington, Alexandria, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County. Vaccinations and parasite treatments are available at our low-cost rates for cat who are being neutered.

Monthly Free Pit Bull Spaying/Neutering/Vaccination Clinics

At the League’s free monthly one-day medical clinic for pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers, American bulldogs, mastiffs, cane corsos, and presa canarios will be spayed or neutered and given rabies and DHPP shots. There are no charges for any of these services and no appointments necessary.

To qualify for these clinics, owners must have a yearly income of no more than $45,000 and reside in the District of Columbia, Arlington, Alexandria, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County.

Training for Veterinary Students

The Medical Center attracts dozens of senior veterinary students each year to train in shelter medicine under its veterinarians. Students come from as far away as California and overseas for the two- to three-week externships. The Center and its work have also been the focus of numerous articles, seminars, and training videos for veterinarians.

Feral Cat Clinics

With an estimated 50,000 feral cats in the District of Columbia, the welfare of these animals presents a significant challenge for animal protection providers. A small and dedicated group of volunteers humanely trap the cats, have them neutered, and return them to their colonies, where they are fed and monitored. The Center helps them with as many as 50 free surgeries a month during our Feral Cat Spay/Neuter/Vaccination Clinics. The feral cat clinics are independently set up and arranged by a group of volunteers.

To Our Low-Income Neighbors:

The Medical Center at the Washington Animal Rescue League may be able to offer you quality, low- cost medical care for your pet. Below are some common questions and helpful answers.

What services does the Medical Center provide?

The Medical Center provides all of the services a private vet clinic would provide: examinations, vaccinations, microchipping, dental care, x-rays, and care for sick and injured pets.

Who can use the Medical Center?

The Medical Center accepts appointments from income-qualified residents of the District of Columbia. If interested, call the clinic at 202-726-CARE for a means test. All clinic patients must be spayed or neutered, but the Medical Center can arrange to have this done free of charge for clients who qualify for financial assistance.

How do I contact the Medical Center?

Please call (202)726-CARE for an appointment.

What educational opportunities does the Medical Center provide?

The Medical Center welcomes volunteers, veterinary students, and veterinary externs. For more information, read the program description  or call 202-726-2556.

Can I get my medications online?

Yes, medications can be ordered online by following the link to our Online Pharmacy.