NINE longtime foster animals at the Saipan mayor’s animal shelter are headed to their “forever homes” in the states, thanks to the Saipan Humane Society, Guam Animals in Need, and Boonie Flight Project.
Lauren Cabrera, Saipan Humane Society founder, said eight dogs and one cat have been transported off island.
She said there will be multiple stops before they reach the U.S. The dogs and the cat are traveling on an airplane chartered by Lisa Meador-Schoppa, an animal travel agent who collaborates with Boonie Flight Project.
Cabrera said extensive paperwork was required for the flight, including veterinary health certificates and export documents, which were prepared and submitted to authorities in Guam and Hawaii by Boonie Flight Project coordinators.
Kelsey Graupner, Boonie Flight Project co-founder, then arranged connecting flights with pet-friendly carriers like Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, facilitating the journey from the charter’s landing in Honolulu to the final destination, often via Seattle.
Boonie Flight Project also coordinated teams of volunteers in Honolulu and Seattle to care for dogs during layovers, to assist in creating travel crates, and to manage airport transfers, Cabrera said.
Prior to their adoption, the animals were showcased on social media. Boonie Flight Project coordinators then screened interested adoption petitioners.
Cabrera said the animals they select for showcasing are “adaptable, kid-friendly, dog-friendly,” and have “basic manners.”
Moreover, “when we are evaluating dogs, we always ask ourselves if they can handle the stress of flying long distances and be in unfamiliar situations, with unfamiliar people, and still come out of their crates with wagging tails,” Cabrera said.
She said people who would like to support their mission should follow the social media pages of Saipan Humane Society, Guam Animals in Need, and Boonie Flight Project.
“Share our mission to others, that helps a lot!” Cabrera said. “You never know who might be looking for a dog.”
Saipan Humane Society volunteers prep the animals for the flight.
A Saipan Humane Society volunteer bids goodbye to the animals prior to the flight.
Animals wait for transport.
Eight dogs and one cat have been transported off island.