Fixing the Boro began with a need. Sarah Roehm, co-founder along with Beth Stembridge and Chris Sterling, relocated from the suburbs of Atlanta to Statesboro when she began attending Georgia Southern. She quickly discovered that the norm of spaying and neutering pets was not fully embraced in her new town. Roehm decided to take a proactive approach to this problem. In November of 2017, she gathered some of her ideas and assembled a team to realize the goal of the organization: to provide affordable spay and neuter services to the community.
Fast forward nearly six years and Fixing the Boro has grown exponentially. They evolved from a voucher system to a rescue service in 2018 to a brick and mortar facility on East Inman Street, and successfully completed their first surgery in May of 2020. They have completely renovated their building to better serve the needs of their furry, four-legged clients. The lobby is stocked with several items available for purchase from apparel and candles to water bottles and bandanas. All proceeds go to supporting Fixing the Boro’s mission and caring for the animals they house.
Ways to Help
In addition to shopping for Fixing the Boro swag, animal lovers can help in a variety of ways. The organization’s most pressing need is foster families. At the moment, they have more animals than they have fosters, with a current need for accommodations for four dogs and over 20 cats. Roehm says, “We are desperate for fosters. The scale does not balance without fosters.” Janelle Hoopes, one of Fixing the Boro’s dedicated volunteers and a foster herself, adds that they are also in need of temporary fosters for when foster families go on vacations throughout the year.
There are wish lists on their website (https://www.fixingtheboro.com/onlinedonations.php) that itemize all of the needs this organization has to be able to continue to help Statesboro’s unclaimed animal population. People can also donate used pet items such as bowls, leashes, collars, towels, blankets, etc.
They also have “Dog Day Out” opportunities if volunteers would like to spend the day with a dog. Participants can take them to a dog park, to get a pup cup, or go for a long walk on the trail. This allows the dogs to socialize as well as enjoy the outdoors with a new friend.
Mark Your Calendar
Fixing the Boro has many events planned for this weekend. The first is a Pack Walk on Friday, June 2, where dog lovers will meet at 6:30pm on the S&S Greenway Trail and walk their dogs. This event is open to anyone with a dog. That same evening, at 7:30pm, Chris and Ashlee Mitchell are holding a benefit concert for Fixing the Boro and all proceeds will go to the organization. This will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 4401 Country Club Road.
Saturday, June 3rd, has events for both cat and dog enthusiasts. The June Jam-PURR-ee Cat Adoption Event will start at 11:00am at Fixing the Boro’s SNIP Clinic on 915 East Inman Street. There will be kittens as well as adult cats to bond with, adopt, and take home. This event runs until 1:00pm. From noon to two, canine fans can head to Sacred Flower at 406 Fair Road Ste 6 for the Dog Daze of Summer Adoption Event. There will be several dogs to love on and choose from. Looking forward, on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Fixing the Boro will be offering Kitten Yoga at Trinity Episcopal Church. The cost is $10 for a 30-minute session, which can be waived in lieu of donations. This is an opportunity to practice downward dog poses with cute kitties!
For more information on Fixing the Boro, please visit their website or follow them on Facebook. As this organization has already demonstrated, together we can make a difference!