68 dogs and cats sterilized in clinic

Alison Hadley, executive director of Guam Animals in Need, and Saipan Mayor’s Office Dog Shelter staff Simion Nepayo check on two dogs after their surgery during the first day of the spay/neuter clinic at the Saipan Mayor’s Office Dog Shelter in As Perdido last Tuesday. (LEIGH GASES)

A total of 68 cats and dogs were sterilized last week, thanks to the collaborative efforts of volunteers from the Guam Animals in Need, Boonie Babies Rescue Saipan, Office of the Mayor of Saipan, and clinic volunteers at the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter in As Perdido.

According to Lauren Cabrera, co-founder of Boonie Flight Project on Guam and volunteer clinic coordinator, the spay and neuter clinic from Tuesday, Jan. 24, to Friday, Jan 27, “was a great success.”

GAIN volunteer veterinarian Dr. Brenda Smith and Dr. Whitney Collins performed the surgeries and, along with sterilization, the clinic provided other services such as rabies vaccines and microchips.

Also, four Dog Control Program staff—Derek Deleon Guerrero, Toshi Togawa, Simion Nepayo, and Calvin Borja—received advanced training as veterinary technicians during the clinic. The DCP staff rotated in assisting so as to have a chance to experience the process and receive the necessary training.

Their duties included holding animals during sedation, preparing animals for surgery by shaving the surgical site and giving injections, monitoring animals during recovery, and removing their breathing tube once they wake up.

GAIN executive director Alison Hadley also provided general training on the evaluation and management of shelter dogs.

DCP manager Martin Pangelinan and DCP staff Leemark Deleon Guerrero assisted with overall management of the clinic while ensuring regular dog control staff duties continued in the field.

“The Dog Control Program is very fortunate to have been a part of this event because the DCP staff received hands-on training from our partners to become veterinary technicians, which is very beneficial for our program and islands,” Pangelinan said.

“We look forward to future events and will continue to provide staff, manpower, and the facility for these clinics so that the staff at the Dog Control Program can continue expanding their knowledge and skills. By working closely with our partners, we are building capacity within the program and developing skills so that we can be more effective and sustainable, and increase the potential and morale of all of our staff. …Lastly, we are very excited to have partnered with these organizations who share the same passion and goals to continue to improve animal care and control the animal population in the CNMI,” he added.

He also reminded the community about the DCP rules and regulations regarding pets. “Keep all pets confined within your property and leashed while in public places, and ensure that all pets are registered annually. These laws are in place to ensure safety for all members in our community and proper care and accountability for animals.”

As for future clinics, Pangelinan said, “We would like all pet owners to take advantage of the spay and neuter clinics that are being offered in our community because it is a great way to control the animal population. If we all work together, we can keep our community safe and free from unnecessary nuisance.”

On behalf of SMO’s DCP, Pangelinan thanked Smith, Collins, Alison Hadley, executive director of GAIN; Lauren Cabrera with the Boonie Flight Project; Boonie Babies Rescue, and to all the volunteers from GAIN and Boonie Babies Rescue “for making this event possible, providing proper care for our animals, and assisting with controlling the animal population.”

Cabrera said they are working with Dog Control staff and Boonie Babies Rescue “to build an adoption program out of the shelter. There are some wonderful dogs there waiting for homes! All adoptable dogs will be vetted with flea/tick medicine, dewormer, and vaccines.”

Cabrera thanked Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho and the Dog Control Program staff and said, “This could not have been accomplished without use of the Mayor’s [Animal] Shelter and Dog Control Program staff, for which we are so grateful. We are thankful to Mayor RB Camacho for his support and hope to bring this team back to his shelter clinic in April.”

Cabrera also thanked their sponsors. “We also want to thank sponsors who kept us fed for the week: Herman’s Modern Bakery, The Shack, The Hut, and Hafa Coffee. We’d also like to thank Secret Garden Hotel for hosting two of our volunteers and, of course, Boonie Babies Rescue for their sponsorship and support!”

If you’re interested in getting on the waitlist for the next clinic, sign up at www.tinyurl.com/booniebabies.