Q & A with Karn Myers of FixNation

We’re proud to be partnering with non-profit organization FixNation again this year, with $1 of every CatConLA ticket sold benefitting their mission, which is to reduce the population of homeless cats by sterilizing as many as possible while demonstrating the effectiveness of Trap-Neuter-Return and colony management for the humane care of homeless cats. They provide free spay/neuter services for feral, homeless, stray… community cats, and low-cost services for pet cats, offer training on how to humanely trap feral cats and kittens, and offer guidance and information on long-term care and management for feral colonies. FixNation also partners with reputable pet stores and local animal rescue organizations to facilitate the adoption of friendly strays and kittens.

CatCon creator Susan Michals spoke with FixNation co-founder Karn Myers to learn more about the organization and the cats that they help.

FixNation has a great “origin story” — can you tell us about how you got involved in helping homeless feral cats?

All the credit goes to my husband of 38 years, Mark Dodge. When we met, I was a vegetarian who had grown up around farm animals, and he was truly, deeply, madly passionate about cats. I was instantly smitten—not just with Mark but with his kitties, too. Flash forward to years later, when I was working on the Titanic production and noticed two women regularly feeding feral cats on the property next door. That was my first introduction to feral cat colonies, and it turned out to be a life-changing event.

Mark and I were eager to do something to help homeless cats on a grander scale, so we started Catnippers in 1999 and FixNation in 2007— the first full-time high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter facility in Los Angeles and the United States offering a free trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for community cats. We are considered a model for humane cat population management for communities all across the country, and we are immensely proud of that.

What are some of the common misconceptions people have about feral cats and colonies of cats?

One of the biggest misconceptions about homeless cats is that they’re all filthy, riddled with disease and living in squalor and misery. Not true. While some homeless cats are indeed true ferals—free-roaming cats that have never been socialized to humans and live exclusively outdoors—others are simply strays, cats that were once a pet but were abandoned or wandered from home and got lost. The word “feral” refers more to a cat’s temperament than where it lives or where it came from, so we prefer the term “community cats.” Homeless cats are a part of our community, and we believe we can all peacefully co-exist as we work to control their numbers in a compassionate manner.

We love the “Happy Tails” section of the FixNation site. What is one happy ending that stands out for you most?

I love the story about Prince Scrappy Cat. This poor little guy was found sick and malnourished and covered with scabs. A very kind woman gave him some food and water, and to her surprise he let her pet him. He was so sick that we booked him for surgery the very next day. Turns out his scabs were nothing more than mange – easy to cure with medication and good nutrition. The woman who found him took him home, named him Prince Scrappy Cat and nursed him back to health. His scabs healed and he gained weight and became very affectionate, snuggling and purring. Just an incredible transformation! Happily-ever-after stories like that really make my day.

What advice do you have for a first-time cat owner, or someone who is adopting a cat at CatCon this year?

First of all, I’d have to say don’t adopt a cat—or any animal—merely on a whim. It’s a big responsibility to care for a living creature, not something to be taken lightly. Cats are rather low maintenance compared to a lot of other pets, but they aren’t houseplants! They needs lots of attention and love and they have their own special needs. But if you protect and care for your cat and treat him like a respected member of the family, I guarantee you’ll have a loyal, loving, wonderful companion for many years.

What are you most looking forward to at CatConLA?

It’s always great to hear stories about the homeless cats people are caring for, and I also enjoy talking to people about TNR and why it works and what exactly we do at the clinic. Everyone who comes to CatCon is a huge feline fan and it’s such a joy to be amongst LA’s devoted community of animal lovers.

How can people get involved or volunteer with FixNation?

There are many ways to get involved with helping homeless cats. We offer free TNR training so people can humanely trap cats, bring them in for surgery and then release them back into the community. We are always looking for volunteers at our clinic or with special events—such as Day of the Dead at Hollywood Forever, an amazing event we’re a part of every year, or our annual Architects for Animals fundraising event. You can find more information and an application on our website at fixnation.org. As a nonprofit, we’re always happy to receive donations so we can continue our work.

Of course the easiest way to get involved is simply to be aware of this growing issue and to be on the lookout for homeless cats in need in your neighborhood. Offer them some food and water, along with kindness and compassion, which Mark and I believe all living creatures deserve. And be sure to get them fixed at FixNation!

FixNation will be at CatConLA Booth #318 and 320 with more information about their mission and how to get involved.