DVM auctions spay/neuter surgeries on eBay

DAVIDSONILLE, MD. — You can find anything on eBay these days — even veterinary services.

Davidsonville, Md.-based veterinarian Marcella Bonner, DVM, MS, believes it's a way to help with pet overpopulation and bring in additional customers to her recently opened Swan Harbor Animal Hospital through the internet auction site.

An internet retail business owner of purses and children's travel bags for 10 years, Bonner decided a couple of months ago to auction her veterinary skills online as well.

Her advertised prices are $250 to spay any size dog or $100 to neuter, and $100 to spay any size cat or $40 to neuter.

The auctions have generated a lot of interest, according to Bonner, who says she's gotten at least 50,000 hits so far. She cannot ascertain whether the hits were for her retail business or her veterinary services.

Still, she has performed about 100 sterilization surgeries resulting from her auctions.

"We, as a profession, are not helping with the pet overpopulation," she says of her decision to start the auction. "The price for a spay or neuter is very high. Shelters are overpopulated because people can't afford to pay $600 to $800 for a spay. It's unbelievable what people are charging."

Especially with the current state of the economy, Bonner, who works closely with local animal shelters in Maryland, says anything to promote getting a pet spayed or neutered is worthwhile.

Her auction reads:

"During this time of economic strife we are encouraging pet owners to get their dogs spayed (fixed), and so we are posting this auction for everyone looking for a fair price."

The spay includes all anesthetic monitoring and equipment during the spay and surgery and pain medication before, during and after. There are additional fees if the animal is pregnant, older or requires blood work, the auction notes.

"The object is just to get your dog fixed and stop some of these unwanted litters," she says.

"Some of the animals that have been coming in as a result of the auction are anywhere from 3 to 6 years old. The pet owners are saying that they just couldn't afford to do it before."