FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOURS & SERVICES

Do you provide emergency veterinary services?  NO. You must head to your local emergency or full-service hospital in the case of emergencies. We are not capable of providing care in any emergency situations unless it is to provide immediate euthanasia for terminal trauma. You can find contact information for emergency hospitals near our clinics HERE.

What veterinary services do you provide through your clinic?   We offer basic veterinary care, including ear infections, skin disorders, eye care, flea control, general health exams, etc. We are not a full-service hospital and do not offer comprehensive diagnostics or treatments. We do not offer x-ray or ultrasound services. We do not provide emergency care.
 
Do you provide dental care?  No, we do not offer dental care at this time.

Do you provide health certificates for travel?  We do not offer health certificates for travel at this time.

Do you provide euthanasia services?  Yes. All patients requiring euthanasia will be given priority status above all other clients, regardless of how many clients have numbers or how long clients have been waiting. Relief of suffering in these situations is our top priority. Euthanasia procedures may alter the number of regular clients we are able to see.

We require clients to bring or have faxed/emailed to us diagnostic files from their primary veterinarian. As a humane society, we do not euthanize for treatable conditions as determined by our veterinarians following examination. We are sorry, but clients may not remain with their pets during the euthanasia process. Please call or email our clinic for more information.

Do I need an appointment to see the doctor?  No. Our veterinary clinic is walk-in only (first come, first served). Please see our HOURS & LOCATIONS page for more information. EUTHANASIA WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY AT BOTH LOCATIONS.

What time do you hand out numbers to see the doctor?  
LONG BEACH LOCATION: Tuesday-Friday we hand out numbers for the doctor in the morning after surgery check-in. Saturday we hand out numbers for the doctor at 8:00 am. Clients will start lining up for numbers as early as 6:30 am.

If morning surgery ends early or in the case of severe weather conditions, we may open the clinic early. We cannot determine in advance when or if this will happen. 
 
EUTHANASIA WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.

If I'm coming in to see the doctor, can I also get vaccines?  Yes.

Do I need an appointment for vaccines?  No. Our vaccine clinic is walk-in only (first come, first served). Please see our HOURS & LOCATIONS page for more information.

What time do you hand out numbers for vaccines? 
LONG BEACH LOCATION: Tuesday - Friday we hand out numbers for vaccines after surgeries are checked in (usually between 8:30-9:00 am). Saturday we hand out numbers for vaccines at 8:00 am.

What time do you accept your last walk-in client?  We cannot predict how quickly we will fill up for the day and always recommend arriving early. If we are not full for the day, we will accept our last client no later than 1/2 hour before closing. EUTHANASIA WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.

When is the best time to come in?  Our vaccine and veterinary clinics are first-come, first-served. We cannot predict how quickly we will fill up for the day and always recommend arriving early. Summer is our busiest time of year. EUTHANASIA WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.

Do I need an appointment for spay or neuter surgery?  Yes! Your pet must be fully vaccinated prior to surgery. All surgery appointments must be made over the phone or in person. We will not respond to online requests for surgery appointments.

Do you have breed restrictions for surgery?  Yes! We do not perform surgeries on the following brachycephalic breeds:
DOGS: Boston Terrier, English/French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pug, Shih-tzu
CATS: Burmese, Himalayan, Persian, Exotic Shorthair

Can I check-in for surgery, vaccines, or the doctor over the phone?  No. You must be present when checking in. Your pet must be with you at check-in.

WHY ISN'T ANYONE ANSWERING THE PHONE?  This is a common question for us! We receive hundreds of calls a day and, as a nonprofit, have limited staff to answer our phones. Our client service staff and clinic manager is working hard to get to your call! Hopefully, you'll find your answer here in our FAQ. If you have a simple question not addressed here, please let us know and we'll add the answer!

VACCINES

I know that California state law requires rabies vaccinations for all dogs, but what about cats?  While California state law does not require rabies vaccinations for cats, it strongly recommends it. Cities are allowed their own laws regarding rabies vaccinations for cats. The cities of Orange County do not currently require cats to be vaccinated for rabies, but many Los Angeles cities do - including Long Beach. You can view a list of Los Angeles County cities that require rabies vaccinations for cats HERE.

ILLNESS, INJURY, EMERGENCIES & PREGNANCY

Do you provide emergency services?  NO. You must head to your local emergency or full-service hospital in the case of emergencies. We are not capable of providing care in any emergency situations unless it is to provide immediate euthanasia for terminal trauma. You can find contact information for emergency hospitals near our clinics HERE.

My puppy is not fully vaccinated and has diarrhea and vomiting! What do I do?  Your puppy may have been exposed to canine parvovirus. We do not treat symptoms of canine parvovirus. Canine parvovirus is frequently fatal and requires the immediate care of a full-service or emergency hospital. If you bring your puppy to us, you will be referred to a full-service or emergency hospital.

My cat just gave birth! How soon can I have her spayed?  After she is finished weaning her kittens (approximately 2 months). She can become pregnant again while nursing, so keep her away from all un-neutered male cats until after she is spayed.

At what age can my puppy or kitten become pregnant?  Puppies can become pregnant as early as six months old or at their first heat, depending on breed. Kittens can become pregnant as early as four months old. Pregnancy before 12 months old, depending on breed, is dangerous for puppies and kittens and can lead to a lifetime of disabilities. If you have an unaltered puppy or kitten, keep them away from other unaltered dogs and cats until they are spayed or neutered!

My pet is limping, can you help?  You are welcome to visit our clinic, but we do not offer comprehensive diagnostics (x-ray, ultrasound). You may be referred to a full-service or emergency hospital.

My pet was hit by a car, can you help?  No. In the case of trauma, you must take your pet to a full-service or emergency hospital.

FERAL CATS

What is a feral cat?  GSHS defines a feral cat as un-socialized, un-handleable, fearful and un-adoptable. See our feral cat policy HERE.

Do you sell cat traps?  Yes. Cat traps are available for $140 with a credit card only. All traps are refundable if returned within two weeks in their original condition.

Do I have to make an appointment for feral spay or neuter surgeries?  No, you must call our clinic to reserve a spot. The number of feral cats we accept daily will vary depending on how many doctors we have on staff. BEFORE YOU TRAP, read our feral cat policy HERE. We will not accept cats whom we can touch.

When is Feral Fridays?  We schedule each Feral Friday event once it is funded ($3,000 per event). We announce each event two weeks in advance on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Reservations are first call-first served only. We are limited to 30 cats at each event. BEFORE YOU TRAP, read our feral cat policy HERE. We will not accept cats whom we can touch.

Help us fund Feral Fridays by donating HERE!

PAYMENT OPTIONS 

What forms of payment do you accept?  We accept cash, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Care Credit. We do not accept personal checks and do not offer payment plans. All services must be paid for at the time of your visit.

REPLACEMENT MEDICAL RECORDS & CERTIFICATES

I lost my neuter/spay certificate! I lost my rabies certificate!  Replacement certificates are $10. Please call, walk-in, or email us at info@goldenstatehumanesociety.com for replacements.

I need my pet's vaccine or health records!  Please call, walk-in, or email us at info@goldenstatehumanesociety.com for replacements. Records requests are provided at $10/file. 

ARE WE A RESCUE?

Are you a rescue?  No. We do not take surrendered animals and we do not offer boarding or adoption services.

What happens if an animal is abandoned at your clinic?  We are required to have city animal control services pick up any animals abandoned at our clinics. Abandoning an animal is a misdemeanor crime and punishable by law.

I don't want my dog or cat to go to animal control. Do you know of any rescues who may be able to help me?  Yes. Please call us for rescue referrals.