OVER 100 veterinarian services were provided on Saipan by visiting veterinarian Dr. Jessica Nelson through the Saipan Humane Society’s spay and neuter clinic, which was made possible with the support of the Banfield Foundation.
The spay and neuter clinic began on Oct. 14 and will end on Oct. 25. Full schedule details are available at @saipanhumanesociety on Instagram and Facebook.
Ruby Ma, SHS clinic manager, said on opening day, Nelson performed 26 spay or neuter services. Since Saipan has no permanent veterinarian, she also provided other emergency care services, Ma added.
In total, 66 pets were helped by Nelson on opening day, Ma said. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Nelson performed an additional spay/neuter services on 38 animals.
The SHS clinic had 29 spay/neuter services scheduled on the day Variety visited them on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Nelson said while she is here, she will provide veterinary services that could not otherwise be performed without a veterinarian on the island.
SHS founder Lauren Cabrera said one pet, Bindi, was scheduled to have its leg amputated after it was hit by a vehicle.
“If there was no vet here, we would probably have to put her down because it’s not humane to keep her like this for months,” Cabrera said.
This is Nelson’s second trip to Saipan under the sponsorship of the Mars Ambassador Program and the Banfield Foundation.
She told Variety she chose to step away from her fulltime position in Oregon to help pet owners here.
“I’m happy to be here continuing to do spay, neuter and any surprise surgery that needs to happen,” she said. “I’m here to help you guys out however I can for the two weeks I’m here.”
Cabrera and Ma said last-minute spay and neuter services will be difficult to acquire this week. They recommend emailing info@saipanhumanesociety.org for questions about availability.
Spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and female cats cost $75. Male cat neutering costs $50.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Email info@saipanhumanesociety.org for more information.
Saipan Humane Society extended a message of gratitude to local sponsors Spicy Thai, Lucky Bills, and Great Harvest Bread Co. for lunch service.
They also thanked AK Auto for the vehicle sponsorship, and the Office of the Saipan Mayor’s Dog Control Program for manpower support.
The ongoing spay/neuter clinic is made possible through the support of the Banfield Foundation.
The Office of the Saipan Mayor’s Dog Control Program provided manpower support at the clinic.
Bindi will receive life-saving surgery through the SHS spay and neuter clinic.
Animals rest, post-operation.
Dr. Jessica Nelson, left, and Ruby Ma, ready a female dog for surgery on October 16.
