If you’re struggling to afford spay or neuter surgery for your pet, the Help Fix ME! program can help. This is Maine’s statewide low-cost spay and neuter program, run by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) through the Animal Welfare Program.
The program provides vouchers that cover most of the cost of surgery. You pay a small copay, and a participating vet handles the rest.
If you have questions about the program or need help applying, call Oxford County Dispatch at 207-743-9554, Option 0 and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
How the Program Works
Help Fix ME distributes spay/neuter vouchers to qualifying Maine residents. Here’s the basic process:
- Check that you qualify (see eligibility below).
- Fill out an application (one pet per application).
- Mail your application with your copay and proof of eligibility to the state.
- Receive your voucher in the mail (allow at least 4 weeks).
- Schedule surgery with a participating veterinarian.
That’s it. The voucher covers the cost of the procedure at the vet’s office. You just pay the copay.
Who Qualifies
You may qualify for the Help Fix ME program if you are a Maine resident and receive benefits from any of the following programs:
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security Disability (SSDI)
You may also qualify based on income alone if your household income is below 133% of the federal poverty level. Current income thresholds:
| Family Size | Maximum Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $18,075 |
| 2 | $24,352 |
| 3 | $30,630 |
| 4 | $36,908 |
| 5 | $43,185 |
If qualifying by income, you’ll need to include a copy of your current tax return with your application.
What It Costs
- $10 copay per cat
- $20 copay per dog
Payment must be a check or money order made payable to Treasurer, State of Maine. This payment is not refundable once your voucher is issued.
Important: Dog Restrictions
The Help Fix ME program covers large mixed breed and pit bull mix dogs only. Small dogs, purebred dogs, and designer breed dogs do not qualify. All cats qualify regardless of breed.
Dogs imported from out of state into a Maine shelter, rescue, pet store, or adoption agency are also not eligible.
Community and Feral Cats
This is especially important for anyone managing feral or community cat colonies: feral cats are free through this program, with no income requirements. If you’re involved in TNR (trap-neuter-return) efforts or managing a colony in your neighborhood, this program can help cover the cost of getting those cats fixed.
Call 1-800-367-1317 to ask about feral cat vouchers.
How to Apply
Step 1: Download or print the application form.
📄 Help Fix ME Application (PDF) | Application Instructions (PDF)
You can also find the latest version on the Maine DACF Help Fix ME page.
Step 2: Fill out the application completely. One pet per application. If you have multiple pets, request additional applications.
Step 3: Include your copay ($10 for cats, $20 for dogs) as a check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of Maine.
Step 4: Include proof of eligibility. This is a photocopy of a current benefits letter from SNAP, TANF, SSI, or SSDI. If qualifying by income, include a copy of your current tax return.
Step 5: Mail everything to:
Help Fix ME!
28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0028
Allow at least 4 weeks for your voucher to arrive in the mail.
Participating Veterinarians Near Western Maine
Once you receive your voucher, you’ll schedule surgery at a participating vet. Here are the closest participating veterinarians to our coverage area:
| Veterinary Hospital | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford Hills Veterinary Hospital | 136 Western Avenue, South Paris | (207) 743-9271 |
| Norway Veterinary Hospital | 10 Main Street, Norway | (207) 743-6384 |
| Kind Animal Care | 965 Crockett Ridge Road, Norway | (207) 890-4987 |
| Mechanic Falls Veterinary Hospital | 40 Park Street, Mechanic Falls | (207) 345-3216 |
| Bridgton Veterinary Hospital | 213 Harrison Road, Bridgton | (207) 647-8804 |
| Sacopee Veterinary Clinic | 142 Main Street, Cornish | (207) 625-8505 |
| Naples Veterinary Clinic | 3 Lambs Mill Road, Naples | (207) 693-3135 |
📄 Full Statewide Participating Vet List (PDF)
This list was last updated April 8, 2025. The state updates it periodically. You can always check the latest version on the Maine DACF website.
Spay/Neuter Clinics in Maine
In addition to the participating vet offices listed above, these clinics and organizations offer spay/neuter services and may accept Help Fix ME vouchers:
Cat Coalition of Western Maine (Harrison)
P.O. Box 282, Harrison, ME
(207) 890-5575
Email: ccowm2010@gmail.com
Facebook: Cat Coalition of Western Maine
Cat Coalition runs a TNR program, a cat sanctuary, and low-cost spay/neuter clinics for cats right here in western Maine. They also operate a mobile spay unit that travels across the state. Cats only.
Maine Animal Health Alliance (Augusta)
231 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta
(207) 480-1001
maineanimalhealth.org
By appointment. Also offers wellness exams, vaccinations, and emergency surgery referrals.
Community Spay-Neuter Clinic (Topsham)
By appointment. Cats only.
communityspayneuterclinic.org
Halfway Home Pet Rescue (Caribou)
Cats only. (207) 496-2466
halfwayhomepetrescue.org
Rozzie May Animal Alliance (Conway, NH)
54 Hobbs Street, Conway, NH
(603) 447-1373
rozziemayanimalalliance.org
Low-cost spay/neuter for cats and dogs. Serves New Hampshire and western Maine. Dog clinics held at their Conway location.
Why Spay and Neuter Matters
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important things you can do as a responsible pet owner. Fixed animals are less likely to roam, less likely to end up at a shelter, and less likely to contribute to the overpopulation problem that leads to thousands of animals being euthanized in Maine every year.
Cats can get pregnant as early as five months old, and a single pair of unaltered cats can produce dozens of kittens in just a few years. Dogs that aren’t fixed are more likely to escape, roam, and end up as strays.
If cost is the only thing holding you back, this program exists for you.
Contact Information
Help Fix ME Program
Phone: 1-800-367-1317
Email: ACF.helpfixme@maine.gov
Web: Maine DACF Help Fix ME Page
Your Animal Control Officer
For questions or help navigating the process, contact ACO Holmes through Oxford County Dispatch at 207-743-9554, Option 0.
More Pet Resources
- Pet Resources in Western Maine (food pantries, vet assistance, and more)
- Animal Control FAQ
- Community Cats and TNR
- SpayMaine.org (statewide spay/neuter directory)