AT an adoption event for the Boonie Babies on Wednesday, founders Aria and Grace Keilbach took the opportunity to celebrate the impact the organization has had on Saipan’s stray dog population.
The Boonie Babies were at The Shack in San Jose with five dogs available for the community to take home as part of the Nellie Peach Adoption Bash. The event was also a small celebration for the one-year adoption of their dog, Nellie Peach.
Grace Keilbach, Boonie Babies president, said during the time their organization has been active in the community, she and her sister Aria have noted changes in the relationship between stray dogs and the community at large.
“We’ve had a lot of people come up to us and say that they’ve noticed that what we’re doing and what the other organizations are doing together is definitely making an impact on the stray population,” she said.
But Grace Keilbach said the work is far from over.
“We don’t see a lot of happy endings in what we do,” she said, referring to rescuing animals off the street. “We’re taking in the worst case scenarios.”
Boonie Babies co-founder Aria Keilbach said one of their goals is to provide a consistent way for pets to be spayed or neutered on island.
She said it’s “virtually impossible” to move pets that are over 16 pounds off of Saipan for a few reasons: a lack of flights for animals over that weight, the cost of using pet travel agents, and Saipan’s lack of governmental recognition for its status as a rabies-free location.
“Saipan is rabies-free, but because there is no government recognition, Guam and Hawaii will not allow you to bring your dogs over,” Aria Keilbach said.
At the Nellie Peach Adoption Bash, the Boonie Babies said any pet adopted from their organization is either already neutered or spayed, or scheduled to be neutered or spayed at no cost to adoptive owners. The dogs also have been treated with Bravecto, which will keep them flea and tick free for three months.
Grace Keilbach said as for the birthday dog herself, it has been a joy owning Nellie Peach. The dog is named after a character from the musical “South Pacific,” and is also a reference to the “peach fuzz” that grew on Nellie Peach after her mange began to heal.
“It’s been really exciting seeing her go from this sick little puppy into this beautiful boonie dog that’s enjoying life,” Grace Keilbach said.
Grace Keilbach, left, and Aria Keilbach, pose with Nellie Peach, far left, and dogs available for adoption at an adoption event Wednesday at The Shack in San Jose.
