Atkins Kroll Toyota’s Asun Demapan, Jenealyn Umbay Kim Calage and Liza Taylor with Saipan Humane Society Director Ruby Ma, SHS founding member Lauren Cabrera, Atkins Kroll Toyota Saipan Sales Manager Kevin Barnes, Kevin Ada and Joaquin Blanco.
Dr. Whitney Collins and Dog Control Program staff member Stephanie Jo Camacho.
Dr. Whitney Collins examines a dog before surgery.
Dog Control Program staff member Stephanie Jo Camacho with Brooke, who is available for adoption.
THE Saipan Humane Society or SHS is overflowing with gratitude as they extend a heartfelt thank-you to the local community for their outstanding support and generous sponsorships during the recently concluded spay and neuter clinic.
From May 26 to June 30, this crucial initiative aimed at combating the critical issue of dog and cat overpopulation on Saipan, leaving a lasting impact on the welfare of animals and the community as a whole.
The SHS faced a series of challenges during the clinic, including the rescheduling caused by Typhoon Mawar and constraints due to limited supplies and funding. However, their dedicated team of volunteers and the Saipan Dog Control Program remained resilient in their commitment to aiding the animals of Saipan.
Among the esteemed sponsors, the Lynn Raulerson Trust stands out for their generous contribution. The trust covered the costs of critical surgical equipment and medications in memory of Dr. Lynn Raulerson, a compassionate University of Guam biology professor dedicated to helping the underserved animals of the Marianas. Notably, they also funded the low-cost spay/neuter clinic at Guam Animals In Need, exemplifying their profound impact on animal welfare in the region.
The Saipan Mayor’s Office played a pivotal role by providing their shelter facility and collaborating with the Dog Control Program Staff. The dedicated Dog Control Program staff worked tirelessly, ensuring that cleaning, crowd control, check-in procedures, and pre-surgery preparations were seamless for the clinic’s success.
The support extended beyond the clinic itself, as Saipan Vegas Resort kindly provided accommodation for the visiting volunteer veterinarian throughout the clinic’s duration. Accommodation for visiting vets can be financially challenging, and this sponsorship allowed the veterinarian to focus on their mission of serving the animals without any concerns about lodging.
Atkins Kroll Toyota also made a notable impact by sponsoring a rental car for the visiting veterinarian. This gesture provided the veterinarian with the freedom to explore the island and travel to and from the clinic with ease. Additionally, their financial sponsorship helped support the low costs of surgeries during the clinic.
Brabu Pharmacy’s contribution included a new microscope and other diagnostic equipment, such as a pet glucometer and urine test strips, which significantly bolstered the clinic’s ability to provide diagnostic and evidence-based care.
Gold’s Gym demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of volunteer veterinarians by sponsoring gym memberships for them during their visits, promoting a healthy and happy experience for those dedicating their time to the clinic.
Numerous local restaurants, including The Shack, Godfather’s, OMG Grill, Julie’s Catering, Ina’s Kitchen, American Pizza Bar & Grille, Lucky Bill, and Spicy Thai, offered their support by providing delicious lunches for the hardworking volunteers during the clinic.
The Saipan Humane Society would also like to extend their gratitude to Ishop and I Love Saipan for sponsoring the veterinarian’s flight from Guam to Saipan, along with a thoughtful gift basket for the entire team. Additionally, the veterinarian’s flight from Los Angeles to Guam was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Lisa Meador-Schoppa Animal Travel Agent, who provided a private pet charter plane for the journey.
Saipan Humane Society likewise acknowledged the invaluable mentorship and support of Guam Animals In Need or GAIN, Guam’s only animal shelter established in 1989 and low-cost spay/neuter clinic.
The impact of these sponsorships allowed the SHS to provide vital veterinary care to numerous animals during the spay and neuter clinic, positively influencing the overall welfare of the community.
As the Saipan Humane Society looks ahead, they anticipate bringing veterinarians to conduct more spay/neuter clinics in the near future. They invite everyone to follow their social media pages for updates on upcoming clinics. When veterinarians are not present, SHS remains committed to offering basic medical services such as Bravecto, deworming, and health consultations in partnership with the Saipan Mayor’s Shelter.
The Saipan Humane Society is grateful for the unwavering support received from individuals and businesses, ensuring a brighter future for the animals of Saipan and the community they call home.
