Friends of Forks Animals Clinic Provides Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Services

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 30, 2026

Friends of Forks Animals (FOFA) helped improve the health and welfare of local pets Sunday by sponsoring a successful spay and neuter clinic at the Forks Community Center.

The one-day clinic provided 14 FOFA-sponsored spay and neuter surgeries. At the end of the day, the veterinary team also performed surgeries on three kittens from PAIR (Peninsula Animal Rescue Initiative) after completing the scheduled appointments.

FOFA president Shy Gorbett said the clinic was a long but rewarding day for everyone involved.

“We did 14 FOFA-sponsored surgeries, plus three PAIR kittens that we had time for at the end,” Gorbett said. “We had five cats that didn’t show, which was unfortunate. We set up the day before, met at 7:30, and were cleaned up and headed out by 6 p.m. on Sunday”

The surgeries were performed by Dr. Pat Dowell, who served as the clinic’s veterinarian. She was assisted by her staff, including veterinary technicians Phoenix and Tanner, and office manager Ashley.

A team of FOFA volunteers helped make the clinic run smoothly throughout the day. Volunteers included Shy Gorbett, Andrew, Twila, Elizabeth, Athaena, Gail and Grace, who assisted with registration, pet care, setup, cleanup and supporting pet owners throughout the clinic.

By providing affordable spay and neuter services, FOFA hopes to reduce pet overpopulation while helping families keep their animals healthy. The organization periodically sponsors clinics to make veterinary care more accessible for residents of the West End.

Gorbett thanked Dr. Dowell, her staff, and the volunteers whose efforts made the clinic possible.