Opie, center, was brought to the former Saipan Cares for Animals clinic on July 13 for the U.S. military’s Innovative Readiness Training-Wellness Mission 2023.
Former Rep. Bennet Seman brought her shitzu and poodle to the former Saipan Cares for Animals clinic for a routine medical examination.
An animal receives care from veterinarians at the former Saipan Cares for Animals clinic.
Sebastian Muna brought Loki to the former Saipan Cares for Animals clinic for a medical checkup.
Grace Cruz and Rachel Cruz with their dogs Dadu and Eve.
ON the second day of the U.S. military’s Innovative Readiness Training-Wellness Mission 2023, an official in charge of the veterinarian services on Saipan estimated that she and her staff would perform 30 examinations, in addition to multiple spay and neuter procedures.
On Thursday, July 13, Variety witnessed numerous community members taking advantage of the free veterinarian services offered by the wellness mission.
The wellness mission provides examinations and spay and neuter services to dogs and cats at the Mayor’s Animal Shelter in As Perdido, and at the former Saipan Cares for Animals or SCA clinic on Middle Road.
On Tinian, free veterinarian care is available at the Tinian Dog Control Program Office.
On Rota, free services are offered at the Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School.
Animal care services will be offered on Saipan through July 20 from 8 a.m. until noon while services for Tinian and Rota will be offered through July 19 at the same clinic hours.
Master Sgt. Jennifer Bunch, noncommissioned officer in charge of veterinary services on Saipan, said veterinarians were prepared to do approximately 30 examinations each day at the former SCA clinic on Middle Road.
She said this estimated figure was based on the previous number of animal examinations on July 12.
She added that on that day, veterinarians at the SCA site performed 12 spay/neuter procedures.
Bunch said the Saipan Mayor’s Animal Shelter site has two veterinarians and two animal technicians available.
At the SCA site, Bunch said there are three veterinarians and five animal technicians.
Vaccinations and Bravecto, a medication that kills ticks and prevents tick infestation, are not available, Bunch said.
Also not available are heartworm and cancer treatments, he added.
In the two days she’s been on island, they have treated skin lesions; dental, ear, and eye issues; burns; dehydration; animals hit by cars; and numerous other medical issues.
Former Rep. Bennet Seman said the wellness mission is an “opportunity” for island residents who need to bring their animals in for spay/neuter procedures.
Seman brought her shitzu, Marley, and poodle, Coco, for a routine medical checkup at the SCA site.
Grace Cruz, who was also at the SCA site with her three dogs for a routine checkup, said she has been “badly” affected by the closure of SCA on May 17.
She hopes the animal clinic can make a comeback.
Sebastian Muna brought his German Shepherd, Loki, who had “bumps” under his belly. Like Cruz he is a former SCA client. When the clinic closed, he said “I didn’t know where to go to for his checkups, but ever since [the Saipan Humane Society clinic] opened [at the Saipan Mayor’s Animal Shelter] I [have been going] there.”
Muna said Loki is six months old and is in need of a new dose of Bravecto.
Beth Piscou, the former president of SCA, said the wellness mission demonstrates a need on island for government intervention to control the stray animal population.
“I think the government needs to address this much more seriously and could make a huge dent,” Piscou said. “It’s a small island. [Overpopulation] is containable, and spay and neuter is the way to go.”
Piscou said she has also witnessed numerous community members who “basically have a little shelter at their house.” She said these community members voluntarily care for stray animals with their own personal funds, and should be assisted.
