Big Fix 4.0 surpasses 4,300 animals treated at free clinic

MIKE MALTAIS

Oct 8, 2025

OKANOGAN — One might assume that after four intense four-day free spay/neuter clinics held by Team Okanogan Animal Rescue (TOAR) and Greater Good Charities over the past 16 months in the county, the demand for that veterinary service would be on the decline or at least levelling out. But turnout for the latest Big Fix 4.0 clinic held at the county fairgrounds from Sept. 26-29 shows that the demand is, if anything, as great as ever.

Response to the previous clinics plus a promotional blitz of 3,000 Big Fix 4.0 flyers around the county assured that the word got around to waiting pet owners. And get around it did. Like the earlier clinics that were booked for the day before morning registration opened, Big Fix 4.0 was full early but with a twist. By the time registration opened at 7:30 a.m., Thursday morning, Sept. 25, pet owners queued up from the previous day had filled all opening day spots before midnight, Sept. 24.

“The need here justifies the clinic’s return for a fifth time,” said TOAR founder and president Jill Servais

Plans are already underway to hold two more clinics next year:

Big Fix 5.0 - May 14-17, 2026

Big Fix 6.0 - Fall 2026

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.

The previous three Big Fix clinics drew 82 percent of their animals from Okanogan County, said Servais.

Servais said much of this event’s efforts were devoted to capturing colony cats that have evaded treatment thus far.

Volunteers gather in the Agriplex space that will serve as the operating area.

“You have to hit 90 to 95 percents of cats in a colony to make difference,” said Servais. “Trappers were trying to target the stragglers because you have to that number in order to really get those animals under control.”

Among the grateful pet owners who attended Big Fix 4.0 was Lewis County resident Isabella Silva who brought her three Cane Corso females. Silva spoke for many pet owners when she described the issues she faced after acquiring her dogs from what she termed “extremely abusive” conditions and became very attached to them.

“I was in tears constantly trying to figure out what I could scrape together to get my girls spayed or vet appointments for regular checkups and vaccines,” said Silva. “And to keep my dogs I’d do basically anything. They are an extension of me. My best friends in this world.”

“Your event genuinely relieved 2 years of severe stress for me in one single weekend.”

At one point in her letter, Silva, stuck a chord of the Big Fix mission:

“If I am this relived,” said Silva. “Imagine others who have it way worse and love their animals just as much?”

Silva concluded with an offer to help bring the Big Fix clinic to Lewis County.

“It is a poor rural county and could really use an event like this,” Silva said.

To follow TOAR, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, visit toarwa.org. Learn more about Greater Good Charities at greatergood.com.