The Big Fix: An Opportunity for Seattle Animals and Seattle Data

Big Fix spay/neuter events occur throughout the United States, including a well-known program spearheaded in Washington state by Team Okanagan Animal Rescue (TOAR) and Greater Goods Charities (GGC). Seattle has not hosted a Big Fix event to date, but it would be a tremendous opportunity for at least two reasons:

• Helping animals and their families in Seattle and in neighboring areas; and

• Collecting data about local needs for animal services

Why We Need More Animal Services Data

Data that measures the need for animal services is a scarce resource, not just in Seattle but countrywide. This scarcity leaves animal welfare at a disadvantage. Data is a critical tool for animal services planning. It measures the unmet needs and helps to educate and convince local governments to invest in services that citizens are demanding.

For example, the only publicly available spay/neuter data for Seattle is through the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). While this is useful information, it is not a comprehensive view into the true needs for spay/neuter services in the area. SAS has limited capacity and wait list numbers are not available for public review. Moreover, not everyone can make it to the shelter due to transportation or work considerations and not everyone qualifies for the services. Many Seattle citizens in need of spay/neuter services  may go to local veterinarians or other organizations such as the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project, the Doney Coe Clinic, and even Seattle Humane in Bellevue.

To date, there is no coordinated effort to share and maintain this data citywide to determine the spay/neuter demand and to facilitate services planning. 

How Could a Big Fix Event Help?

There is a basic need for spay/neuter services. At a 2025 symposium hosted by the Seattle Animal Foundation, spay/neuter emerged as a clear point of agreement for the attendees. A Big Fix event would not only advance collaborative work among organizations, provide care for many animals needing the services, but also create an opportunity for important data collection.

It is undeniable that there is resistance to collecting addresses of those seeking services for their animals. However, even a simple identification of the city in which one is domiciled would be enough. It could be a voluntary disclosure that would not be invasive. At the very least, it would be something.

What is the Big Fix?

"The Big Fix" is a term used by various organizations across the United States for initiatives focused on animal population management, primarily through high-volume, low-cost, or free spay and neuter clinics. These programs attempt to address pet overpopulation by providing sterilization, vaccinations, and microchipping to owned pets, community cats, and strays in communities that need it most. Big Fix events have occurred in Texas, Utah, Connecticut, Indiana, Colorado, and recently in Washington state.

Who Funds the Big Fix?

Big Fix funders vary. They can be foundations, corporate sponsors, or even community members through local fundraising campaigns. In the case of the Big Fix in Okanagan County, Team Okanogan Animal Rescue (TOAR) has developed a coalition of committed partners. In addition to Greater Good Charities co-hosting the event, TOAR has received support from the Summerlee Foundation, Jason Heigl Foundation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Community Foundation of North Central Washington, Paws with Cause, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Community Cat Coalition, and Humane World for Animals.

Who are Greater Good Charities?

Greater Good Charities (GGC) is a global nonprofit organization located in Seattle, WA, that “works to amplify good in the world.” Fortunately, their work includes good for the animal world! 

GGC provides funds for shelter renovations, food and supplies, training, medical support and transport, among other initiatives. One of the medical programs is called “Good Fix.” From the website:

Good Fix, a program of Greater Good Charities, deploys specially trained high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgical teams and works with professional trapping teams on the local level to humanely control pet overpopulation in communities that need it most, all free of charge. Good Fix also provides vaccination services to owned and community pets, educates community members on the importance of spay/neuter, and coordinates education opportunities with local shelters. Ultimately, Good Fix reduces human-animal conflict, reduces shelter intake, and relieves the burden on animal shelters to euthanize unwanted pets.

According to the website, GGC funds up to 800 spay/neuter surgeries per day, logging more than 72,000 cat and dog procedures and over 71,000 professional volunteer hours to date. Good Fix takes a holistic approach by listening to the community, conducting surveys, and promoting long-term planning. Not only do they have trained medical personnel, GGC also has professional trappers who help bring community (feral) cats to the clinic.

Who is Team Okanagan Animal Rescue (TOAR)?

Founded in 2022, Team Okanogan Animal Rescue (TOAR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the humane treatment of companion animals in Okanogan County, Washington. There are no publicly funded shelters in Okanagan County so animals and citizens must rely on private rescues such as TOAR.

Okanagan County has a poverty rate of 17 percent and TOAR’s work is a reflection of the relationship between social issues and animal welfare. Not only has TOAR partnered with Greater Goods to host Washington’s largest free spay/neuter, vaccine, and microchip clinics, it has also distributed more than 200,000 pounds of pet food and supplies to families, rescues, and food banks. 

There were two Big Fix events in 2025, one in June and another in September. Information provided to the public was in both Spanish and English.

How many animals were helped during the Big Fix in September?

Big Fix stats:

• 1,131 animals were spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for parasites.

• 4,341 animals have received these same services during four Big Fix clinics over the past 16 months.

• 117 volunteers – the largest TOAR team yet – comprised the Big Fix 4.0 clinic.

• 45,000 pounds of pet food and supplies were distributed thanks to Humane World for Animals.

• All the above services were provided at no charge to pet owners.

When is the next Big Fix in Okanagan County?

The next Big Fix is tentatively scheduled for May 14–17, 2026. For more information, visit https://www.toarwa.org/contact