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Guam vets continue spay, neuter program
An animal shelter volunteer, left, helps Saipan Cares for Animals, CNMI vice president Elizabeth Pliscou in prepping up a dog for surgery as veterinary technician Bambi Leone looks on in yesterday’s spay and neuter program at the Animal Shelter in Lower Base. (Jon Perez)
Landis and Leone arrived on Saipan in early January and have been spaying and neutering dogs from the animal shelter in Lower Base and those brought in by other pet owners since Jan. 4. The program ends on Feb. 4.
The Saipan Mayor’s Office and the National Humane Society are also supporting the program, according to Saipan Cares for Animals, CNMI vice president and head volunteer Elizabeth Pliscou.
Pliscou said this would be the longest period of time that a veterinarian and a technician would work with the program.
“We are grateful for their [Landis and Leone] help and volunteer work. Saipan is just a small island and as much as possible we want to control and we’re trying to reduce the animals, specifically the dog population here,” said Pliscou.
Pliscou said pet owners who bring their dogs or cats must give a $25 donation. “But there are some who tell us that they can’t donate because of lack of funds but there are also people who give more than $25 to help those who have no money.”
She added that Landis and Leone have two more weeks on Saipan. “They’ve been staying at Kanoa Resort for free. Kanoa has always been helpful to us every time volunteer vets come here.”
A total of 95 dogs have been spayed or neutered with 40 more at the animal shelter to undergo the procedure.
Pliscou said that they still need volunteers to help them in the daily chores of taking care of the animals at the shelter.
“We have five regular volunteers but we could use more. Also, aside from spaying and neutering the animals, they [Landis and Leone] are also teaching us what we need to know for the animals to maintain good health.”
Pliscou is also encouraging people to adopt some of the dogs at the animal shelter or surrender their pets for those who can no longer take care of them.
Rodney Babauta, Lee Mark Deleon Guerrero, Ton Leon Guerrero, and Jaime Toytoy make up the staff of the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Control Office. They have been patrolling the streets and catching stray dogs.
