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Volunteers meet to sustain animal care initiative
After a successful spay/neuter clinic a couple of weeks ago, the first formal orientation and meeting for volunteers who want to continue helping take care of animals at the Saipan Mayor’s Office dog shelter was held over the weekend.
More than 40 volunteers attended the meetings held Saturday and Sunday in Lower Base.
Humane Society International policy coordinator Inga Gibson headed the meeting, together with lead volunteer coordinator Jason Hudy. Dog control program manager Spencer Marchadesch of the Saipan Mayor’s Office was also present.
Humane Society International policy coordinator Inga Gibson and lead volunteer coordinator Jason Hudy head the animal volunteer meeting held at the Animal Shelter of the Saipan Mayor’s Office in Lower Base. Also present at the meeting was Dog Control Program manager Spencer Marchadesch. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)
“This is the start of a program that we hope will continue to run,” Gibson said.
The meeting targeted four areas: adoption, foster care, shelter, and outreach. They also talked about holding fundraising events to be able to further facilitate and make the shelter comfortable for the animals.
Supporting the legislation for animal protection, House Bill 1955, also known as the Animal Protection Act of 2015, was also discussed.
“Saipan is one of the few places left in the country that doesn’t have any animal cruelty laws,” Gibson said, “That’s another way to get people involved. Maybe they don’t want to work directly with the animals but they can help us at some of our special events or come to the Legislature and testify and support.”
“Without people of Saipan interested, the program won’t sustain the momentum. We’ve seen a great deal of volunteer work done already in the last month since this started, and want to keep everything moving forward,” Hudy said.
Starting tomorrow, June 10, the shelter will be open to volunteers who want to visit the animals at the shelter as well as those who may want to take them out for a walk or exercise and play with them. It will be open from 9am to 11:30am and 4pm to 6pm every day. Prospective volunteers should contact Marchadesch at 234-6208 or Hudy at 789-9464.
Interested individuals may also check out the Saipan Cares for Animals page on Facebook for more information.
