Spay, neuter services on Saipan in May

Due to the large dog population on the island, most of which are owned but free roaming, the Humane Society International, in collaboration with Animal Balance, will be conducting spay and neuter services on Saipan in May.

According to HSI Hawaii senior state director and Pacific Islands policy coordinator Inga Gibson, this spay/neuter and zeuterin services will be done in the last two weeks of May.

The spay/neuter services will include volunteer vets from Animal Balance. Zeuterin services will also be available for male dogs only. It is a non-surgical sterilization process for male dogs.

Animal Balance is a U.S. based non-profit organization dedicated to resolving the conflicts that exist between people, wildlife, and community dogs and cats on island nations around the world. 

They believe that the most ethical, logical, and effective solution to these conflicts is to gradually reduce the population of community dogs and cats through mass sterilization and to improve the physical condition of existing populations through medical treatment and vaccination, according to their website.

A group of 10 will assist in the sterilization process.

“Owners that don’t want zeuterin is fine and all the veterinary services are all safe for the dogs,” Gibson said.

She said the ultimate goal is to sterilize all dogs within an estimated period of four years.

“The first one will be on May and will be on a rotating basis,” she said.

They plan to charge $25 for the spay/neuter services, regardless of weight or age, but Gibson assured, “If you can’t pay we won’t turn anyone away.”

Gibson also said that community members who want to sponsor the spay/neuter service that HIS will provide can visit their website at HSI.org and look for the name “Street Dogs.”

“We will be working with Mayor David Apatang and we’re thrilled that he has agreed to this. Because the benefits of a spay/neuter service will make the dogs live longer, healthier, won’t breed, and change its impression on people so they don’t get aggressive,” Gibson said.

Gibson also noted that they plan to hold veterinary services in Kagman and mobile services in different villages.

Only two veterinary services are available on Saipan: One from the Department of Land and Natural Resources that is helping the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the other is a private veterinary clinic.