A Day in the Life of a PETFIX Clinic

The first step at a clinic is joining our volunteers, usually overseen by PETFIX co-founder Beate Neher, at registration.  We'll check your animals in, generate their surgical forms, and start them on their spay and neuter 'journey.' 

Note that donation box....every donation helps!

Depending on the number of veterinarians we have at any given clinic, we can intake up to 250 cats or 100 dogs.  Dogs and cats are done on separate days, to ensure a more calm and safe environment.

But with 100 dogs in the 'parking lot,'  a dog clinic is L-O-U-D!

Next it's over to pre-op, where our animals are quickly evaluated for their overall health, receive anesthesia, have their weight checked (cats), are scanned for a microchip and await their turn with one of our wonderful vets.

We won't show you surgery taking place, but here's a great shot of Dr. Kang and his assistant for the day....on a RARE moment when he's not busy operating!

Managed by PETFIX co-founder Bridget Neher, post-op is where the 'spa treatment' component of the day takes place: microchips are inserted, vaccines are provided, nails are clipped (dogs), ears are tipped (cats), and ears get cleaned. And yes, Bridget is still smiling at the end of a busy day!

Just like humans, our furry friends need some extra TLC after surgery...and our recovery volunteers are there to watch and guide the animals through this time. Temperatures are monitored, animals are regularly assessed and as they wake up, it's time to head back to their kennels for more monitoring. No one goes home until this group of caring volunteers says it's safe to do so!

It's certainly where the cuteness is captured! Whether it's a load of color-sorted puppies, or kittens being cuddled as they wake up, the volunteers all agree that the hard work is worth it.

They're almost done! Only after one of our aftercare volunteers have explained how best to look after your animal in the day(s) to come - and the information varies if it's a cat or a dog, a pet or a community cat - then it's time to head home.

What's the best part of a clinic for our volunteers, and maybe for our animals too?  Plenty of time for hugs and cuddles!

How can you not kiss a cuddly puppy?

Really, when there are puppies, you have to use your lap to monitor them....they're that cute!

As we said before, dog clinics are loud, but sometimes if a volunteer takes a moment to sit and talk to a dog, it makes all the difference.

High volume spay and neuter is a special skill in the veterinary field, and we are fortunate to work with vets from HI and the mainland. We partner with some organizations (Mars, Banfield) to offer larger clinics servicing more animals.

PETFIX is proud to be associated with the Aloha Critter Club, overseen by educators at local schools who offer resources, knowledge and volunteer opportunities to elementary and high-school students in Hilo, Pahoa and Kea'au.