2-day vet clinic benefits 48 pets

Visiting veterinarian Dr. Whitney Collins finishes assessing Koko. Collins assisted the Saipan Humane Society and the Dog Control Program staff in a two-day clinic at the Saipan Mayor’s Animal Shelter in As Perdido last Saturday and yesterday to address the community’s concerns about their pets and to provide treatment, vaccines, microchips, etc. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The two-day animal clinic that was conducted by the Saipan Humane Society and the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter in As Perdido was able to service a total of 48 pets, thanks to visiting veterinarian Dr. Whitney Collins.

Collins, who is no stranger to the CNMI and was a volunteer vet in the spay/neuter clinic last January, said the clinic went well and had an amazing turnout.

“I can tell the community truly cares about their personal pets and shares concern for the animals on the streets. Speaking with the pet owners, it’s quite clear the islands need veterinary care and they are appreciative of what the mayor, the Dog Control Program, and the Saipan Humane Society are trying to create here in the CNMI,” said Collins.

The veterinary clinic was held at the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter in As Perdido last Saturday and yesterday with the help of Lauren Cabrera, founder of the nonprofit organization Saipan Humane Society and the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter, along with Dog Control Program staff.

Services offered were rabies vaccines—which can only be given by a licensed veterinarian—parvovirus vaccines and kennel cough vaccines for dogs, cat vaccines, microchips, heartworm tests, and a limited supply of flea/tick prevention medicine.

Collins also addressed specific animal health concerns in 15-minute time slots. The cost of services ranged from $12 to $25.

Cabrera told Saipan Tribune after the clinic, “We are so thrilled to see how many people took advantage of coming to this clinic and appreciate that people care for their pets.”

She then thanked Collins, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, and the shelter staff for their continued support and assistance.

Collins herself has a message to the community:

“I urge pet owners to take advantage of any veterinary services when available, especially the sterilization clinics. In addition to limited resources, overpopulation is one of the island’s biggest concerns. Limiting overpopulation can directly improve animal welfare and the health of the island while strengthening the human-animal bond with our pets.”

Collins acknowledged that the CNMI is a beautiful place to live but has limited veterinary resources at this time. “For most medical concerns, prevention is often key. This includes maintaining deworming, heartworm, and flea and tick medications, spaying and neutering your pet, as well as feeding a balanced diet as much as possible.”

If you are interested in getting an animal on the waitlist for sterilization, vaccination, or other veterinary services, go to: https://tinyurl.com/saipanhumane

The next spay/neuter clinic will be from April 10 to 14, and scheduling will begin soon.