November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month

Caramel is a 1-year-old female who is energetic and has a friendly temperament. She loves walking. (Daisy Demapan)

In partnership with the Office of the Mayor’s animal shelter program, Saipan Cares for Animals has made November Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month for several senior dogs at the shelter that are looking for homes.

In conjunction with the celebration, representatives of Humane Society International arrived this week and will be conducting spay and neutering services for shelter dogs from Wednesday to Saturday.

According to Saipan Cares for Animals president Jason Hudy, if you have a dog that’s been adopted from the shelter and you want them spayed or neutered, you may contact Saipan Cares for Animals on their Facebook page.

Maddie is a 1-year-old female who can walk on a leash and is very sociable. (Daisy Demapan)

“This is the first of many times [the Humane Society has come], and we don’t know how many they will get done this time… but we will try to get dogs that have been adopted from the shelter sterilized on a first come, first served basis. We are asking a small $25 fee to help defray the costs of getting this team to Saipan,” he said.

At the moment, the shelter is unable to provide its own spay or neutering services.

Fortunately, Humane Society International has been working with the Saipan Mayor’s Office in getting Saipan’s dog population under control.

Charlie, a male, is strong senior from Dandan, who is friendly and loves going for walks. (Daisy Demapan)

The goal, according to Hudy, is to reach 70 percent sterilization, which the Humane Society hopes to attain in the next five years.

“At the shelter, since we started Saipan Cares for Animals in May, we’ve already seen tremendous progress. We’ve seen a proven system of dogs being adopted. In the last three months, there has been tremendous improvement in the vaccination and medication that the dogs received. Now, before dogs leave the shelter they are being vaccinated. And now, just today, the Humane Society International is back on Saipan to help us set up a system of spay and neutering the shelter dogs, so when they leave the shelter they are healthy and won’t be producing more unwanted dogs. Hopefully over the next year we will see tremendous advancement in our ability to control the dog population here. It is a long process to be sure, and we are just in the early stages of it…” he said.

He also shared that in the last six months the shelter relied heavily on euthanasia for many dogs who were severely ill or aggressive. For people whose pets have been impounded, a 120-hour hold period still occurs but then the pet is put up for adoption, depending on its health condition.

The shelter now has just over 30 dogs that are healthy, sociable, and in need of a home.

“The Mayor’s Office has waived adoption fees [for the month], and the registration fee is only $10, so for 10 bucks you can provide a great animal a wonderful home, an animal that will give you countless hours of happiness as well,” Hudy said.

Message “Saipan Cares for Animals” on Facebook to set up a time to visit the shelter, which is located in Lower Base down the road from Saipan Ice and Water Sparkle Clean.

The shelter requires a questionnaire to be filled out—as a background precaution— before the release of any pet.  Interested pet owners are welcome to schedule a meeting by calling 789-9464.