Two things come to mind:
People of Saipan have their priorities straight as they care for humans over animals.
It is true that in the United States those of us who can afford pets spend money to keep them well and happy because they are considered part of our family. We love our dogs and cats.
They are, in many cases, the only companions some people here, have. Older people with no family, and single people without family, consider them important companions so they are well taken care of by their owners.
We may give up a personal, destructive habit to use the money saved for other things. Sometimes it is to care for our pets. We do not let them roam around. We have a human society which picks up loose animals which are not licensed or a threat to the community.
People in the United States who cannot afford to have their pets neutered and vaccinated, do not have pets. We neuter them and afterwards, several companies such as Pet Smart and PetCo groom them, train them, and parade them in their stores for adoption.
As tourists, we are sensitive to conditions existing in places we visit. When the dogs are not pets and cared for, when they have litter after litter of puppies, we see that it is hazardous to the health of residents. Reducing the number of animals roaming around the island hungry, diseased, and pregnant could be accomplished by neutering.
I saw kindness in the children of Saipan who gave their uneaten portions of food to the dogs. Could Saipan find a way to fund some children’s education to become veterinarians who would neuter these animals? Then tourists would flock back time and again to this island paradise because they would know the island residents care.
PATRICIA KNACHT
Prescott, Arizona
