Mission & History

FixNation’s primary mission is to humanely reduce the population of homeless cats via Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and colony management. We have worked hard to create a better world for cats and envision a day when every tame cat has a loving home and every community cat is vaccinated, sterilized and cared for in their outdoor habitat.

FixNation was co-founded by Karn Myers and her late husband, Mark Dodge. They became community cat advocates after learning about the shocking number of homeless cats in Los Angeles. Eager to find a compassionate solution to a heartbreaking situation, the couple started a MASH-style spay/neuter clinic called Catnippers in 1999, staffed by volunteer veterinarians, veterinary technicians and aides.

Mark and Karn soon realized they needed to do more – much more – if they wanted to truly make an enduring impact.

In 2007, with the help of generous grants from three foundations, they launched FixNation – the first full-time, permanent spay/neuter facility in Los Angeles with a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) mission. FixNation also loaned out humane traps, offered free TNR training, provided affordable services for companion cats and arranged partnerships with rescues to facilitate adoptions. FixNation’s protocols are now considered the gold standard for other high-volume spay/neuter clinics, and organizations across the US and around the world have turned to us for advice and mentoring.

Mark passed away from ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 2017. Karn continues to serve as FixNation’s Executive Director, fundraising for the FixNation Legacy Fund, mentoring and supporting other TNR clinics and animal advocates, and overseeing long-term strategic planning and growth.

As of 2026, FixNation programs have sterilized nearly 300,000 cats and empowered countless people to take action in their own communities. Together, we have discovered what a small team of dedicated animal lovers can accomplish when we share a common vision – making the world a better place for cats.