GOOD FIX
GOOD FIX
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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.
Per Day
One Cat Or Dog
Greater Good Charities believes high-quality, high-volume (HQHV) sterilization, combined with working with local trapping teams, is the most effective and humane method of cat/dog population control. Good Fix helps communities they serve by off-setting costs that local pet shelter, rescue, and community programs incur each year.
Our work focuses on control of cat and dog overpopulation through safe sterilization of owned and community pets, and providing education and guidance to shelters and community members to improve outcomes for cats and dogs.
Good Fix offers its services to communities in need free of charge and is only possible thanks to donors like you. The impact is real: Greater Good Charities believes high-quality, high-volume sterilization combined with working with local trapping teams is the most effective and humane method of dog/cat population control. Your donation will help cover costs to spay and neuter animals.
Your tax-deductible gift will support these life saving efforts and prevent unneeded suffering.
Since October 2021, our Good Fix program has been working to address the issue of cat and dog overpopulation in various communities across the U.S. including Hawaiian islands, Vieques, Puerto Rico, and tribal lands in Alaska and Oklahoma.
Clinics are powered by a volunteer network of veterinarians and vet technicians from all over the United States and other countries. Our goal is to bring access to sterilization in areas and communities with little to no veterinary care available. The Good Fix team has worked to establish relationships in each community we serve throughout our clinic locations. These local relationships play an instrumental role in making our clinics a success, by providing essential needs on the ground and recruiting local volunteers. Our local partners are also continuing spay and neuter efforts between our clinics and educating their communities on the benefits of spay/neuter. This is essential to our mission as we work to create sustainability in each of these communities.
The Good Fix team with the help of local trapping teams, local partners, medical and local volunteers has spayed and neutered more than 58,000 cats and dogs for free, to help fight the pet overpopulation problems in these underserved communities.
In addition to Kauai, Good Fix is working on native lands to control community dog and cat populations, starting with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation.
When our Rescue Rebuild program helped remodel the Helping Animal Center at the Rosebud reservation to provide wellness services for reservation resident pets, on-site spay and neuter assistance was a pressing need.
By providing free spay and neuter services for dogs and cats in partnership with Sovereign Nations Veterinary, Good Fix now performs free, high-volume spay/neuter clinics at the center which allows the center to allocate its scarce resources towards the establishment of other veterinary services.
Stay tuned for more Good Fix clinic announcements!
Good Fix is only possible thanks to donors like you and our generous partners and sponsors.
HQHVSN is defined as “high-quality, high-volume, spay/neuter”. It is safe (high-quality) and effective (high-volume). Good Fix uses the highest standards of safety, medical and professionalism, including: 1) Expert HQHVSN veterinary surgical teams 2) High-quality veterinary equipment to maximize efficiency and safety for patients and staff. 3) Best practices via Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) spay/neuter guidelines for surgery procedures, including sterilization ID via tattoo and/or ear tips.
Good Fix takes a holistic approach by meeting with and listening to local communities as well as conducting a survey to identify potential areas for optimum success before setting a plan in motion. Good Fix aims to make an effective long-term plan for each community they help that is as agreeable as possible to everyone on the ground at the public, city, county, and state level.
Each community’s needs are different, so Good Fix’s approach includes a full examination of the local needs, including conducting surveys, interviews and meetings with locals community leaders and other tactics to gauge the appropriate crew size and target surgery number. Multiple rounds of HQHVSN clinics are conducted to maximize effectiveness and impact. Our full scale teams have the capacity to perform up to 800 surgeries per day, but often smaller teams can make a bigger impact.
Many communities do not have the resources to perform the type of HQHVSN needed to effectively and humanely control unwanted animal populations. Unfortunately, in some areas, unwanted community pets are exterminated--we believe this inhumane treatment of animals is unacceptable and HQHVSN is the humane answer.
We believe high-quality, high-volume (HQHV) sterilization combined with working with local trapping teams is the most effective means of dog/cat population control. Many communities do not have the resources to perform the type of HQHVSN needed to effectively and humanely control unwanted animal populations. Good Fix enables communities with limited access to veterinary services, the opportunity of safe sterilization for community and owned pets.
Thank you, for your interest in Greater Good Charities and our Good Fix program. Good Fix deploys specially trained high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgical teams and works with local trapping teams to help control pet overpopulation in communities that need it most by reducing the human-animal conflict and the burden on animal shelters to euthanize unwanted pets. We work at the request of local organizations to target the animals most in need. In this manner, we do not operate on an individual appointment basis. We strongly encourage you to seek support through your local animal welfare organization(s) or veterinary clinic(s) that provides spay/neuter surgical services. This information should be readily available through a simple internet search.
If you are a non-profit organization looking to partner with Good Fix please complete this assessment survey below.
GOODS Program provides grants to the animal rescue community in the form of donated pet food, delivered through our network of regional affiliates. We pay to ship the products directly from the donor to the affiliate’s warehouse. Affiliates then distribute these grants to pre-qualified recipients based on demonstrated need and verified census.
Pet food grants allow rescue organizations to transfer part of their food budget to much-needed services such as spay/neuter, vet services, facility maintenance or improvement, adoption events, etc.
Please select the appropriate application below to be considered for a pet food grant.
An “Eligible Rescue” rescues and provides shelter and care for animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned or are otherwise in need.
An “Eligible Rescue” shall meet the following criteria:
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501(c) 3 status described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), Internal Revenue Code 1986, and its subsequent amendments
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No breeding of animals occurs
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All animals shall be housed in a clean, comfortable, safe, species-appropriate, stimulating and enriching environment
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Spay or neuter all animals prior to adoption
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Must demonstrate a respect for quality of life and provide the most humane death possible for animals who are suffering or otherwise not suitable for adoption
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Has a sufficient number of qualified employees/ volunteers to provide the appropriate level of care for the animals
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Must have a comprehensive and effective adoption program
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Must have a means to independently verify the number of pets available for adoption (e.g., Petfinder page, adoption website), so that equitable distribution of food can be determined
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Must demonstrate need (e.g., limited financial resources) and fiscal responsibility
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Must demonstrate a positive contribution to the community’s animal welfare resource, including positive relationships with peers
An “Eligible Animal Shelter” rescues and provides shelter and care for animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned or are otherwise in need.
An “Eligible Animal Shelter” shall meet the following criteria:
- 501(c) 3 status described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), Internal Revenue Code 1986, and its subsequent amendments
- No breeding of animals occurs
- All animals shall be housed in a clean, comfortable, safe, species appropriate, stimulating and enriching environment
- Spay or neuter all animals prior to adoption
- Must demonstrate a respect for quality of life and provide the most humane death possible for animals who are suffering or otherwise not suitable for adoption
- Has a sufficient number of qualified employees/ volunteers to provide the appropriate level of care for the animals
- Must have a comprehensive and effective adoption program
- Must have a means to independently verify the number of pets available for adoption (e.g., Petfinder page, adoption website), so that equitable distribution of food can be determined.
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Must demonstrate need (e.g., limited financial resources) and fiscal responsibility
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Must demonstrate a positive contribution to the community’s animal welfare resource, including positive relationships with peers
An “Eligible Feral Cat Related Organization” is committed to improving the lives of feral and homeless cats.
An “Eligible Feral Cat Related Organization” shall meet the following criteria:
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501(c) 3 status described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), Internal Revenue Code 1986, and its subsequent amendments
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Actively participates in a “TNRF” Trap-Neuter-Return-Feed program as a long-term solution in controlling feral cat populations.
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Educates the public about the plight of stray and feral cats and the need to spay/neuter pets
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Must demonstrate need (e.g., limited financial resources) and fiscal responsibility
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Must demonstrate a positive contribution to the community’s animal welfare resource, including positive relationships with peers
Working with Greater Good Charities, Rescue Bank provides assistance in disaster and emergency situations. The very nature of an emergency makes setting strict criteria difficult. Each event will be evaluated by Greater Good Charities, Rescue Bank, our donors, and the nearest affiliate organization. We may temporarily suspend some of our recipient criteria to provide emergency relief. However, a group’s ability to work collaboratively will remain as a key qualification. We provide pet food and supplies in the following situations:
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Local, regional, and nationally-declared natural or man-made disasters (e.g. hurricanes, floods, fires)
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Multiple-animal rescues such as law enforcement actions
An “Eligible Pet Food Bank” is a community based organization serving as a resource for local individuals and families struggling to provide care for their pets. These are typically food banks, pantries or social service agencies with multiple assistance programs (e.g., rent assistance, elder care, animals on wheels).
An “Eligible Pet Food Bank” shall meet the following criteria:
- 501(c) 3 status described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), Internal Revenue Code 1986, and its subsequent amendments
- Must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and has successfully completed their most recent audit or independent review
- Has publicized screening and reporting capabilities that meet a generally-recognized standard for providing welfare assistance, such as State and Federal guidelines or Feeding America recommendations.
- And recipients...
- Agree that pets are for companionship and not for breeding or illegal activities
- Agree to maintain pets in a healthy condition
- Agree to not sell or return product
- Verifies recipients’ pets are spayed or neutered and provides spay or neuter education or information to those recipients whose pets are unaltered
- Has a sufficient number of qualified employees/ volunteers to provide the appropriate level of tracking and verifying need of applicants/recipients
- Must have an active website with information regarding the pet food program and instructions on how to apply
- Must have a means to independently verify “proof of need” whether it be through various means such as income, social security, etcetera
- Must demonstrate a positive contribution to the community’s animal welfare resource, including positive relationships with peers
- Must have appropriate storage facility or warehouse that meets reasonable standards established by our donors, By way of example, please review our Warehouse Inspection Report.
An “Eligible Dog / Cat Sanctuary” rescues and provides shelter and care for animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned or are otherwise in need.
An “Eligible Dog / Cat Sanctuary” shall meet the following criteria:
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501(c) 3 status described in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), Internal Revenue Code 1986, and its subsequent amendments
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No breeding of animals occurs, must spay or neuter all animals residing in sanctuary
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Veterinary care is provided as appropriate
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All animals shall be housed in a clean, comfortable, safe, species-appropriate, stimulating and enriching environment
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Must demonstrate a respect for quality of life and provide the most humane death possible for animals who are suffering
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Has a sufficient number of qualified employees/ volunteers to provide the appropriate level of care for the animals
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Must have a comprehensive and effective adoption program for animals who are “adoptable”
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Must agree to periodic site visits to verify the number and condition of pets in their care.
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Must demonstrate need (e.g., limited financial resources) and fiscal responsibility
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Must demonstrate a positive contribution to the community’s animal welfare resource, including positive relationships with peers
Rescue Bank expanded! In 2017, we began a program called Supplies for Shelters. This program allows us to provide grants of various supplies such as veterinary products, enrichment toys, beds, blankets, and more. We are still committed to helping smaller, less visible animal welfare organizations. However, this program also includes larger organizations and municipal shelters.
Minimum requirements to apply:
-All animals shall be housed in a clean, comfortable, safe, species appropriate, stimulating and enriching environment.
-Spay or neuter all animals before adoption.
-Must demonstrate a respect for quality of life and provide the most humane death possible for animals who are suffering or otherwise not suitable for adoption.
-Have a sufficient number of qualified employees/volunteers to provide the appropriate level of care for the animals.
-Must have a comprehensive and effective adoption program.
-Must demonstrate a positive contribution to the community’s animal welfare resource, including positive relationships with peers.
If you would like to apply for a Supplies for Shelters grant, please fill out the form below. We will be in touch if your application is approved.
Make sure to check out our FAQ page for more information. If you still have questions, please email info@rescuebank.org.
Vet Technicians and Assistants:
- Assist with physical exams, premedication and induction of anesthesia, surgical preparation, anesthesia monitoring, administering vaccinations, pack & prep of instruments, assisting with recovery, and assisting the surgeons as needed.
- Must be able and comfortable lifting up to 50lbs
- Helpful technical skills: placing intravenous catheters, administering medications, intubation, surgical prep, and anesthesia monitoring,
Veterinarians:
- Perform HQHV canine and feline spay/neuter surgeries (40-80 per day)
- Perform physical examinations or assist in recovery of patients based on areas in need during the clinic.
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Assist with intake/discharge of public and trapped animals.
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Direct communication with clients
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Data Entry
- Sort, organize, and maintain all paper records.
Helpful skills: familiarity with google docs, google sheets, and attention to detail.
Spanish speakers are occasionally needed on clinics, depending on location. Spanish speaking volunteers who can effectively communicate will be utilized for: owner communication & translation, and education efforts in addition to medical duties.
Local and/or out-of-area volunteers are always welcome to volunteer – even if they are not veterinary medical professionals. Duties can include supervised assistance with patient recovery, patient intake and discharge, community outreach, and other activities based on your level of knowledge and experience.
All volunteers will be utilized in areas where their skills will provide the most benefit for the success of the clinic. The clinic days can be long and strenuous. Please recognize that our goal is efficiency and safety for patients, volunteers, crew and all participants involved.
Good Fix is a program of Greater Good Charities, and is led by two veterinary professionals,
Dr. Ruth Parkin and Laura Littlebear, who have been successfully executing high-quality,
high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) since 2002. The surgical teams used
by Good Fix are powered by the ViDAS volunteer network, which has worked with
Dr. Parkin and Laura since 2002 on HQHVSN projects.
Dr. Ruth Parkin grew up on a small family farm in the US Pacific Northwest and attended University of Washington in Seattle for her undergraduate degree in economics. She attended veterinary school at Colorado State University, where, as a second-year veterinary student she co-founded ViDAS, an organization which travels internationally to hold free high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter services in underprivileged areas. ViDAS has performed over 40,000 sterilizations and is now a part of the Greater Good Charities programs.
Professionally, Dr. Parkin was in clinical practice for over 10 years and was medical director of a clinic in Denver for several years. She has also worked as a relief veterinarian and spay/neuter surgeon in Colorado and in the Portland, OR area and has traveled to Thailand and South Africa to teach veterinary science through a study abroad program. She is currently the Veterinary Medical Director at Greater Good Charities and of the Good Fix program currently kicking off in Kauai. Dr. Parkin's personal interests include playing volleyball, travel, outdoors, and relaxing anywhere there is some sunshine and a baseball game to watch.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Laura has worked in the veterinary industry for over 20 years. She previously served as Director of Operations for The Humane Society of the United States and focused primarily on the Spayathon for Puerto Rico program. She has volunteered with ViDAS (Veterinarios Internacionales Dedicados a Animales Sanos) and served as the Vice President for the past 12 years. Laura’s work with ViDAS inspired her focus and expertise in establishing and providing high quality/high volume spay and neuter in underserved areas.
She has a passion for animal welfare and improving the lives of pets and the people that surround them. Her personal and professional goals center around spay and neuter advocacy, education and sustainment. Laura joined Greater Good Charities as the Director of the Good Fix program in May 2021.
Laura resides in Oklahoma with her husband Tommy, their two dogs, Luna and Izzy and four cats, Gus, Sammi, Rico and Swampy. She has two human children, Morgan and Justin. She enjoys time outdoors and travelling.
John Peaveler is an animal welfare professional with over 17 years of global experience, in the field of stray animal management, animal population management, disaster response, and animal handling and capture. He began his career in 2004 rescuing dogs and building an animal shelter and wildlife sanctuary in Kuwait along with his wife, Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, which they ran together for 11 years. He has extensive experience in international and US disaster and cruelty response as well as free-roaming population management programs. John has also taught animal handling and capture training around the world, with a goal of helping handlers stay humane in all environments. John serves as the Vice President, Field Operations, overseeing and supporting a range of Great Good Charities programs.
Morgan was born and raised in Oklahoma and has been involved in animal welfare for the past 5 years. She began volunteering for ViDAS in 2017, where she fell in love with high quality/high volume (HQHV) spay and neuter. This experience led her to a role as the Executive Director at a large shelter in her home state, where she developed and implemented a HQHV spay neuter program, managed animal transport flights, and assisted in multiple cruelty cases.
Morgan enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. She currently resides in Stillwater, Oklahoma with her dog Rosie, her two cats, Oscar Martinez and Carlos, and her boyfriend, Jared.
Kelly has worked in animal welfare for over 16 years, from sitting on animal shelter Board of Directors, and managing open and limited intake shelters. She began volunteering with HQHVSN in 2015 and it quickly became a passion. Kelly resides on a small hobby farm in Colorado, with her son and over 50 rescue animals including dogs, cows, horses, goats, chickens, cats, bunnies and a donkey.
Laura grew up in Larchmont NY, graduated from SUNY in Albany with a BA in psychology and minors in criminal justice and business. She started out working at a dog daycare, then as a veterinary assistant at a busy ER animal hospital in upstate NY where she realized she wanted to become a veterinary technician. Laura moved to CO in 2004 to attend Bel-Rea and worked at the Denver Dumb Friends League as an animal care technician until she graduated in 2006 and moved to a Certified Veterinary Technician position at DDFL.
Laura began volunteering on spay/neuter trips with ViDAS in 2008 and became an integral part of the ViDAS team. She tried to attend as many clinics as she could fit in each year until now accepting the job as Director of Good Fix where we can put all of her skills to work! Laura is excited to help communities all over the world manage their pet overpopulation troubles with Good Fix.
Laura lives in Aurora, Colorado with her husband, and their 3 dogs and 1 cat (pretty much all foster failures). In her free time they like to do yoga, acro yoga, hike, play indoor soccer, paddle board and travel.