14.2. HQ's Surgical Consent Form Template

Spay and Neuter Consent Form Overview.

The legal language in the HQ Spay and Neuter Consent Form is the language the ASPCA Spay and Neuter Alliance uses.
The ASPCA’s legal team has approved this language, but your lawyer should also review it.

Download HQ Recommended Templates Templates are available in English and Spanish.

Consent Form Structure.

A good consent form has four main parts.

• Animal and owner information, such as the owner’s address and an animal description.
• Medical questions that are kept as simple as possible, since many clients complete forms on their phone.
• Requested services, including a way to request services not selected at the time of scheduling.
• Terms of Agreement that outline what the client must agree to before services are provided.

Terms of agreement commonly include the following acknowledgements.

** The client agrees they are the owner or the animal’s representative. ** The client acknowledges that vaccines may not take effect for up to two weeks. ** The client acknowledges the hazards of surgery and anesthetic risk. ** The client understands that the veterinarian may decline their pet for surgery. ** The client understands that it may not be possible to do a complete physical exam. ** The client grants permission for the veterinarian to perform life-saving treatments or transport to another veterinary hospital without consulting the owner first, regardless of cost. ** The client agrees to follow the post-operative instructions. ** The client consents to flea treatment if the animal is infested with fleas and the veterinarian determines it is necessary. ** The client agrees to allow photographs of the animal to be taken and used on social media. ** The client agrees to not hold the clinic liable or responsible for anything that happens to animals while they are in the clinic’s care.