News
FixNation Built It, And They Came!
October 15, 2008, 7:19PM MT
By Denise A LeBeau
Super group takes Trap-Neuter-Return to the next level.
Super group takes Trap-Neuter-Return to the next level.
by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends Animal Society
This year's National Feral Cat Day is a true celebration, as ferals seem to be getting the respect and help they deserve more each day. One of the organizations that best exemplifies this is FixNation, Inc. in Los Angeles. With their new state-of-the-art clinic, innovative programs, spirit of collaboration and giving the public what they didn’t know they needed, FixNation has broadened the scope of how feral cats are viewed and treated in Southern California. They offer their services for free to the caregivers of homeless cats, which allows anyone interested in getting involved with TNR an opportunity to help, without the financial burden that most middle income households couldn’t afford.
At the helm of this multifaceted organization is Mark Dodge, and his wife Karn Myers – both have been dedicated their lives to the feral cause. As the mavericks of Best Friends Catnippers they have been assessing the feral situation in LA for almost a decade. Catching up with Mark, it is immediately apparent why they have been so successful. It’s like talking to your favorite college professor – very affable, knowledgeable and eager to share his wisdom, but you wouldn’t call him dude! He is extremely enthusiastic about what they have accomplished so far, and looking forward to the future.
“We completed the facility just in time to have our inaugural event, our first Catnippers clinic was scheduled for the end of July, and we worked like beavers to get it done. At its former location, FixNation had been open from Monday through Thursday, but the new, permanent facility is open on Fridays, too,” Mark shared.
The Bar is Raised
“We’re staffed and we’re open, and we’re ready to work at our fullest capacity. While we’re working on getting the feral cat volume up, we’re scheduling paying customers for our low cost spay/neuter. We’ve been impacted by the new Spay Neuter Law and we’re experiencing a heightened demand for what we do. We weren’t a player in the tame cat world, but since the Spay Neuter Law has been implemented, it has resulted in veterinarian’s raising their prices, so we’re seeing a lot more owned cats coming into the clinic.”
Considering these facts, it is a fortuitous time to have become a part of PetSmart Charities’ Spay Los Angeles Initiative! With its record breaking pledge of over $13 million to the LA area, this is an aggressive approach to stop the overpopulation of unwanted pets. Two nonprofits are named as principle participants: Clinico, Inc. and FixNation, Inc. Mark indicated that they have worked with Clinico in the past, and seemed excited about the real progress that they can make in Los Angeles and reducing the number of animals killed everyday in the shelter system.
Open House & Accolades
But there’s more! FixNation held an official Open House Event on October 5th – to help raise public awareness and take the opportunity to have volunteers, caregivers, employees all come together to celebrate all their hard work. National radio personality Warren Eckstein from the Pet Show on KRLA, acted as Master of Ceremonies, and praised the work of FixNation, he’ll be readily promoting them on his show! Also attending the event was LA Councilwoman Wendy Greuel who surprised them with a certificate signed by the Mayor and herself. And then a second congratulatory certificate was present by the Mayor’s assistant Jim Bickhart, also signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. 
The Future for Ferals
With all these kudos, you’d think Mark and Karn would take a moment to rest – on their laurels, but no way! They’re looking forward to reaching their next goal.
“We’re hopeful and confident through a raised profile, we’ll be accomplishing more. The only way TNR would work was if we gave away our service, which we did. Then we went out into the community to talk to people that wanted to get rid of these “homeless” pets. Once they were introduced to the free clinic and realize all they have to do is care – it’s like a switch goes off. Just the fact that the clinic is open is a way to get people excited about doing their part,” Mark relayed.
Mark further described it as a convergence of grassroots, charitable dollars and the community coming together to bring about a time of No More Homeless Pets. Their next step is to bring down cat euthanasia by getting the FixNation clinic fine tuned and cranking, and by continuing the important work of community outreach.
“We must show statistically how TNR makes the difference (in pets killed in shelters). Once we reach that goal – then we can go National. Then we can say this is how TNR works, it can make a difference and we can show you how!”
Get Into Action!
FixNation, Inc. needs the public to reach their goals – become a caregiver or show your support by donating to their programs:
To donate to FixNation, Inc., click here
Interested in being a cargiver? Read their Open Letter to Caregivers
For more information:
• FixNation Launches in Los Angeles
• Best Friends Feral Cat campaign
• Feral Cat Resources
Photo showing Karn, Mark, Warren Eckstein and Wendy Greuel at the Open House courtesy of FixNation, Inc.