KOROR (Palau Horizon) – The Palau Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) welcomed new veterinarian, Dr. Monica Minciu, and bid goodbye to Dr. Mihnea Muresanu, Palau’s first ever veterinarian, last week.
Minciu received her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest, Romania, in 2004. She was President of the Romanian Alliance for the Protection of Animals and has worked as Head Veterinarian and Clinic Manager at a private vet clinic in Bucharest.
Having worked with many international non-government organizations, Minciu hopes to contribute to PAWS programs.
According to a press statement from PAWS Director Lori Colin, “PAWS is excited to welcome Dr. Minciu to Palau. She is keen to meet pet owners and learn about the Palauan community and her new home.”
Colin said Minciu has taken over as the Koror State Veterinarian and has been impressed with the clinic and with the Koror State and PAWS programs.
On the other hand, after spending four years working with PAWS in Koror State Animal Shelter and Veterinary Clinic, Muresanu will be leaving for Australia this month to further his career and start a family life.
Muresanu and Minciu were classmates in veterinary school in Romania.
The facility opened in 2005, and Colin said, “It was Muresanu who transformed it from a simple island-style clinic to the sophisticated facility it has become today.”
Before Muresanu arrived in Palau, there were no permanent veterinarians in the country.
“It was a luxury to have a resident vet on island,” said Colin. “The presence of a vet also allowed PAWS to hold the successful annual Palauan Dog Show, now in its fourth year.”
Colin said PAWS is grateful for the time and energy that Muresanu has given to veterinary care over the past four years and looks forward to working with Minciu.
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