Nuetering costs HOW MUCH

If you've read any of my puppy posts, you'll know I am a responsible pet owner. I vet my dogs, they get all their shots, and whatever they need.  So, I waited until my pups turned a year, and got ready neuter them. I called my vet- It is OVER $500 to neuter the dog that is "normal". My dog Winkie not only has one eye, but also has one testicle. yes, he has cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles. So, that mean his will be even more, because he'll need exploratory surgery to find and remove that wayward bugger.  It's even more important to neuter him, because dogs who have this also have a higher chance of getting testicular cancer. What's more, they are not always sterile, (they usually have one good testicle) so they can and do pass on the trait, therefore a dog with an undescended testicle should ALWAYS be neutered!

Of course, I'm going to do it no matter the cost,  (I have a great lead on a low cost neutering clinic, please pray they'll help me!) but I couldn't help but think that maybe the cost of spaying and neutering is what keeps some people from "fixing" their animals. I thought long and hard about this - would I rather see a dog "fixed" but unloved in shelter, or loved dearly  but intact.  what do you think?