A JAPANESE veterinarian on Tuesday discussed state-of-the-art animal hospitals in Japan with the Rotary Club of Saipan.
Veterinary Center of Japan’s Dr. Taisho Watanabe was the Rotarians’ guest speaker during their weekly luncheon meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Giovanni’s Restaurant on Tuesday.
Joining Watanabe in his presentation was Saipan Mayor’s Office Dog Control Program Manager Martin Pangelinan Jr. who had the opportunity to visit four of the animal hospitals that the Veterinary Center of Japan operates.
Watanabe said the Veterinary Center of Japan carefully considers the balance between nature, animals and humans.
The center “tackles anything that is within its limits and works with love, confidence and pride,” he added.
The center, he said, provides emergency medical care to patients, and accepts them even on holidays and after regular hospital hours. Once a patient is in stable condition, the center brings the patient to a primary care hospital for continued treatment.
For his part, Pangelinan said the four animal hospitals he visited in Japan with Watanabe provide quality healthcare services to many animals.
On Saipan, Pangelinan said the stray dog population and the need for animal care have been issues for decades now. “There are too many animals and not enough homes,” he said adding that Saipan’s animal facility has been facing a problem with overpopulation even as many dogs wander around the villages.
“Although pets can bring joy and excitement to our lives, we need to address the issue at hand, which is animal care and control in the CNMI. We are just one program that continues to maintain and strengthen partnerships with those who are offering their help and services, who share the same vision because there is always room to improve and provide the care that our animals need,” Pangelinan said.
Dr. Taisho Watanabe of the Veterinary Center of Japan receives a plaque of appreciation from Rotary Club of Saipan President Wendell Posadas and other Rotarians. Also in photo: Saipan Mayor Office Dog Control Program Manager Martin Pangelinan Jr., second right.
