Over 1K pets on Saipan now licensed

Four weeks after the start of the Dog Control Program of the Saipan Mayor’s Office, over a thousand pets from all villages on the island have been registered by their owners, according to program director Ray B. Lizama

He described the initial turnout for the registration as overwhelming and encouraged more pet owners to join the campaign.

Lizama said the number of registered pets is expected to significantly increase in the coming months.

Based on a survey conducted by the Northern Marianas College-CREES program last year, Saipan has an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 stray animals wandering around villages and communities. The number continues to increase as a result of its uncontrollable population.

Saipan Local Law 9-12 established the dog control program to secure and protect residents and tourists from stray animals. Revenue collected from dog tagging and registration is strictly mandated for the program.

Lizama said they are still finalizing the total amount that has been collected to date.

Pet registration is being conducted in different villages to make it easy for dog and cat owners. However, after Dec. 9, pet owners who wish to register their dogs will have to go to a designated station that will be determined later, Lizama said.

Saipan Tribune learned that registration was suspended since last week because of the recent Liberation Day festivities, which is also under the mayor’s office.

Lizama said they will reopen the registration on July 11 in Chalan Kanoa, from 9am to 4pm. The process will continue until Dec. 9. The program kicked off from June 6 to 16.

To better control the stray dog population, Lizama believes there’s a need to limit the number of pets that each household can own.

He said since last month, the program’s personnel have been visiting villages and communities to encourage more registrants and to pick up stray animals.

The license fees for dogs vary, depending on whether or not the dogs are neutered or not. For altered or neutered dogs, a one-year license costs $6; two years, $10; three years, $14; four years, $18; five years, $24. Owners will be required to present valid vaccination documents to avail of these fees.

For non-altered or non-neutered dogs, a one-year license costs $10; two years, $18; three years, $26; four years, $34; five years, $42.

For neutered dogs owned by senior citizens—aged 60 years and above—a one-year license costs $5; two years, $8; three years, $10; four years, $12; five years, $15.

The stray dog control program has been delayed for about 12 years due to the lack of funding.

For more information, call the Saipan Mayor’s Office at 234-6208 or email dogcontrolprogram.mos2011@yahoo.com.