Conditions at Saipan animal shelter improve, says Hudy

Saipan Cares for Animals volunteer Jason Hudy said that conditions at the Saipan animal shelter in Lower Base are improving, with many dogs having been adopted.

“Our dog shelter was pretty much destroyed and for a week or so things looked pretty bleak, with dogs living in small transport cages, with no help in sight,” Hudy said.

“I’m happy to report that things have improved significantly. Although our shelter is still destroyed, with no water, no power, and half a roof, the conditions for the dogs are getting better,” he added.

With throngs of volunteers going and helping at the shelter, Mayor David M. Apatang is pleased with what’s happening. Staff of the Dog Control Program have been stationed at the site, with volunteers attending to the dogs.

Hudy said that Humane Society International is back on island and is helping out at the shelter.

“Every day the shelter is looking a little better, and I really do think that in a few months, it’s going to be better than it ever was,” he said.

The group has also started a GoFundMe page (http://www.gofundme.com/3u3u8gubes) to raise the money needed to rebuild the Saipan animal shelter.

“We have raised nearly $5,000 in our GoFundMe account, and I’m using that money sparingly to buy much needed supplies that were destroyed in the typhoon. And we still have a bunch to make some hopefully drastic improvements to the shelter, such as expanded play areas,” he said.

Hudy noted that the shelter has received so many donations in the past couple of days such as food, treats, and supplies.
“Most importantly, the lives of the dogs are improving. All dogs are now out of their transport cages and thanks to the donations that came in, I put together a ‘Free Adoption Period’ where I can pay the fees to adopt the dogs,” Hudy said.

In the last four days, the shelter has seen 18 adoptions. It went from 57 dogs in the shelter—which can only hold 40—about seven weeks ago to only 29 dogs now.

“We’ve been able to adopt a great deal of dogs to loving homes so far without a single euthanasia,” he said.

Hudy also thanked the volunteers and contributions that have come into the shelter and hopes for a quick recovery.

Dogs at the animal shelter are in still need of homes and anyone interested to adopt a dog can visit the shelter in Lower Base.