The mayor’s public information office and senior adviser, Vic Pangelinan, said PAWS provided information regarding possible funding sources, and the need to hire a qualified veterinarian to administer the animal shelter.
Those who met with the mayor were PAWS president Katie Busenkell, treasurer Bobbie Grizzard, member Sarah Fryling, and webmaster Ron Smith.
Pangelinan said Flores has already “abandoned” the proposed site of the animal shelter in Kagman which former Mayor Juan B. Tudela pushed for.
Flores is now looking at the government-owned property in Lower Base as the proposed site for the animal shelter.
The area, Pangelinan said, has a good sewer system, which is “vital in maintaining a clean environment at the animal shelter.”
“It’s also a large place and is already fenced,” he said, adding that the area is ideal “because it’s far from the public.”
He said Flores also met with Department of Public Land Secretary John Del Rosario to discuss the arrangements in using the property.
Kimo Rosario, the mayor’s special adviser, said they already secured $80,000 from the Saipan legislative delegation.
The mayor’s office, he added, also has about $63,000 left by Tudela, Rosario added.
Pangelinan said Flores will still explore other funding sources such as federal grants, and ask help from Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan.
Flores, Pangelinan added, is also determined to launch the dog tags program, which will provide a revolving fund for the animal shelter’s operation.
Village representatives
Rosario said the mayor’s office will launch an information campaign regarding stray dogs, and will conduct meetings in all villages.
Flores will appoint a volunteer village representative who will administer the program in each area on island, Rosario added.
Meantime, he said, the mayor’s office will promulgate the rules and regulations of the stray dog control program.
Pangelinan acknowledged that stray dogs are one of the biggest problems on island.
The problem got worse, he said, when some residents departed the island and left their pets behind.
