Veterinary students visit Guam for spay neuter clinic

GUAM—Guam Animals in Need is hosting visiting veterinarians and veterinary students for a monthlong spay and neuter clinic.

The students, under the direct supervision of highly trained veterinarians, are providing spay and neuter services to the public starting yesterday, July 2, until July 26 at the Ordot Chalan Pago Community Center.

“We’re so thrilled to be piloting this program. The island has really come together to make all of this possible, and we are so happy to provide these much-needed services at an affordable cost and more central location,” said Samantha Mullen, Spay Neuter Island Pets program coordinator for GAIN. “Spaying and neutering your pets is an act of love. It prevents reproductive cancers and drastically reduces the chances of your pets developing other health issues.”

The visiting surgery team anticipates spaying and neutering over 120 dogs and cats over the course of the month. This will be the first satellite clinic for GAIN, and the non-profit organization aims to make Spaycation a recurring annual event.

“We look forward to sharing our beautiful island with the visiting students and veterinarians, and even more so to be providing these needed services to those in need,” said Mullen.

Since opening in late November 2016, over 1,800 dogs and cats have been sterilized at the Dr. Lynn Raulerson Spay and Neuter Clinic at GAIN.

This year’s mentoring veterinarians are flying in from Kentucky and Texas, and students are from the Western University College of Veterinary Medicine in California.

The program is called “Spaycation Summer School” because the visiting surgery team will be on vacation enjoying beautiful Guam, while also spaying and neutering dozens of animals over the course of the month.

GAIN acknowledges the support of Mayor Jessy Gogue and everyone at the Chalan Pago-Ordot Mayor’s Office, Triple J, Bank of Guam, Pay-Less Community Foundation, East West Rental Center, the Raulerson Trust, Humane Society International, IHP Medical Group, Guam Surgicenter, SPPC/Circle K/76, and various individual donors.

Spay and neuter services are available by appointment only and must be scheduled prior to the surgery date. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call the GAIN Spay and Neuter Clinic at 653-6717 or the GAIN animal shelter at 653-4246. Services are $40 per animal.

Founded in 1989, GAIN is a non-profit dedicated to improving the care of all animals in Guam. (PR)