By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Department of Land and Natural Resources’ animal health clinic is now receiving more pets following last week’s report about its existence.
The clinic on As Perdido Road has been opened “for a long time,” according to station manager Rey Ngeskebei, but not a lot of people seemed to be aware of it.
He said prior to last week’s publication of the story about the animal health clinic, they were receiving only an average 15 pets every other Tuesday for vaccinations and check up.
The clinic’s average income was about $200 on each day it was open, said animal health clinic technician Joan Moses,
The clinic, which opens at 8 a.m., administers vaccines for parvovirus, leptospirosis, canine distemper, corona virus and infectious canine hepatitis.
The clinic charges $10 for a combo vaccine, $5 for a parvo shot and a minimum of $5 for mange.
Yesterday, Ngeskebei said, 38 pets, mostly dogs, registered for shots, checks up and oral medications.
Moses said the clinic’s income yesterday might come close to $400.
“Since we came out in the news, we kept receiving calls everyday,” Moses said.
Pet owners started arriving at the clinic yesterday as early as 6:40 a.m., and there were still several of them at around 11 am.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Decretary Ignacio Dela Cruz who is also the animal clinic’s veterinarian, said the money that the clinic earns goes to the revolving fund which is used for the purchase of medicines and vaccines not only for dogs and cats but also for farm animals that are treated for free.
Last year, Dela Cruz said, the clinic earned over $9,000.
In related news, Dela Cruz said he and Pet Assistance and Welfare Services’ Katie Busenkell, who also chairs the Beautify CNMI!’s animal welfare committee, are working on the designation of the CNMI Pet Week that will coincide with the National Pet Week from May 6 to May 12.
He said they will ask the governor to sign the proclamation.