PETFIX offering free spay and neuter clinics to address animal overpopulation on Hawaiʻi Island

Bridget Neher envisions one day that “every animal is wanted and cared for” on the Big Island.

One way to meet that goal is to stop cats and dogs from having unwanted kittens and puppies.

So in 2020, after working with other animal organizations on the island, Neher and her sister Beate Neher founded PETFIX Spay and Neuter. The nonprofit focuses on providing free clinics in rural communities where animal overpopulation is prevalent.

“We have been doing this work for a long time and are passionate about animals,” Bridget Neher said. “We want to reduce the potential for unwanted animals, so animal sanctuaries can be no-kill shelters.”

This month, PETFIX will host four more free clinics. It will bring the total numbers of surgeries conducted in 2025 by the nonprofit to nearly 7,500, she said.

The spay and neuter surgeries sterilize dogs and cats to prevent unwanted litters, reduce the risk of certain cancers and improve animal behavior.

While the clinics used to be small and infrequent, PETFIX now hosts large community veterinary clinics at locations in Keaʻau and Ocean View nearly every month. Each clinic can cost in excess of $5,000, including the vet fees, medications, supplies, microchips and vaccines. The more animals, the more vets, the higher those costs.

The weekend clinics are staffed with 20 to 25 volunteers and two to four veterinarians who sometimes fly in from the mainland. The clinics service 250 cats a day, and registration for cats fills up in the first 30 to 45 minutes, Bridget Neher said.

“We take care of feral cats, pet cats, young and old cats, and the community always shows up for every cat clinic,” Bridget Neher said. “However, when we have a dog clinic, people don’t seem to care.”

While the upcoming cat clinics are full for the next month, Beate Neher noted that there are still 39 available appointments for dogs.

“I have met so many people who want to fix their dogs, but then when the free clinic comes around, they don’t show up,” Bridget Neher said. “Sometimes when it’s slow, it’s hard to keep wanting to do this work when you don’t see results, but we do it because it is important and there is no shortage of dogs and cats in need.”

During the Hawaiʻi County Council meetings on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, the council voted to award PETFIX a total of $18,000 in contingency funds to continue its clinic events in Keaʻau and Ocean View.

This service is definitely needed on the Big Island, where more than 7,900 animals have been impounded since the launching of the Hawaiʻi County Animal Control and Protection Agency two years and four months ago.

Of those impounded animals, 3,405 were euthanized for medical reasons, behavioral reasons and at the owner’s request. Many have also been put to sleep because there is no space to house them.

The growing population of feral animals have also had a negative impact on native species as well, causing Hawaiʻi County Council to pass a bill that made it illegal to feed feral animals, including cats, pigs, chickens and goats, on county property.

As of October, Animal Control has received 680 reports of dangerous dogs or bite incidents.

“We have our clinics in Ocean View and Keaʻau because this is where a lot of the problems take place,” Bridget Neher said. “We want to make real change in our communities inundated with animals that just keep breeding.

“If we can help people understand why it is so important to spay and neuter, I guarantee we would not have as many animals in the shelter, and they could have the time to find their forever homes.”

The nonprofit also offers other free services such as optional vaccinations and mandatory microchips, which are required by the State of Hawaiʻi.

PETFIX will be hosting a clinic in Keaʻau for cats and dogs on Saturday, Dec. 6, and then in Ocean View for just cats on Sunday, Dec. 7. The final two clinics will both be in Keaʻau for cats on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21.

Once registered for the specific clinic date, location and time slot, PETFIX will send information with the appointment time, the clinic’s address, and any additional information needed.

Those who register will also receive a QR code to assist in checking in on the day of the clinic.

For cats and kittens, they must weigh at least two pounds. Kittens should be weaned off their mother at four to five weeks of age and should be eating cat food and not dependent on their mother for feedings.

For dogs and puppies, there is no minimum weight, but they should be at least 10 weeks old, and puppies must be weaned and not dependent on their mother.

To register for a spay and neuter clinic, visit the PETFIX website.

PETFIX also is joining the Aloha Pass It On program at four restaurants in the Kona area throughout December to raise money for its clinics and free appointments.

Participating restuarants are Kai Eats, Huggo’s, Huggo’s on the Rocks, or Lava Lava Beach Club. Diners need to say they want to support PETFIX and ask what Aloha Pass It On special items are available.

During the month, $1 from the restaurant, $1 from a selected entree, $2 from any menu item with the Aloha Pass It On logo, and $1 from a dedicated on-tap beer will be donated to PETFIX.