SCA shuts down

The Saipan Cares for Animals clinic on Middle Road suddenly shut down yesterday morning with no clear explanation as to why.

This was learned yesterday morning when this reporter went to the clinic and saw that the lone volunteer there was giving directions to clients to proceed to the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter in As Perdido.

SCA volunteer Aileen Garcia said the shelter was closing down “temporarily” and she is not sure when it will reopen.

She said she was informed that it was supposed to be closed just for Monday and that it will reopen yesterday. However, she was informed to shut down the clinic starting yesterday morning until further notice. She did mention that it was her co-volunteer that told her to shut the clinic down.

Since finding out that the shelter was to close down yesterday morning, Garcia has been directing people to the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter in As Perdido and look for Saipan Humane Society’s Lauren Cabrera.

Garcia said the clinic will be closed but she will be taking care of the many kittens that are still available for adoption at the clinic.

The Saipan Cares for Animals clinic on Middle Road, Gualo Rai is seen right before the doors were locked yesterday. (LEIGH GASES)

Cabrera herself issued the following statement: “We are deeply sorry to hear of the closing of SCA’s doors. They have been the backbone of animal welfare in the CNMI for years and have worked so hard to build their clinic and virtual shelter, serving and saving countless animals. We are ready to step up and meet the needs of the community, with the support of Saipan Mayor’s Dog Control Program, and understand there are very big shoes to fill. …We would like to show our gratitude to SCA for all they have done for the animals of the CNMI.”

No one else was available for comments at the SCA clinic yesterday.

When asked why the clinic was closing, SCA board member Yumi Brundidge said, “I can’t say anything, because we’re still discussing but I have no idea—I can’t say anything, I’m so sorry.” She did mention that they have a board meeting next Monday night.

Another SCA board member, Ted Parker, also said he does not know the reason for the clinic’s closure. He did mention that “there’s been some challenges going on, but there’s always challenges going on,” and did not explain further.

Elizabeth Pliscou, executive director for SCA, is on medical leave off island and this reporter tried to contact her but she is currently unreachable.

A concerned citizen named Mary McGee said the clinic’s closure is detrimental to the community because “they take care of animals at minimal cost, they take care of anybody who brings down a sick animal. The Mayor’s Shelter does a lot of the same things but they’re only open on certain days of the week. Like Saipan Cares, they have a vet coming in periodically but not all the time. They both do a great deal for the community—but we need them both because Saipan Cares is open every single time.”

For the meantime, Cabrera at the SMO Animal Shelter in As Perdido is accepting pets in need of assistance.

SMO Animal Shelter hours are from Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. Contact them at (670)-234-3647 (DOGS).