THE support of the Banfield Foundation, the Mars Ambassador Program, the local Dog Control Program, Boonie Babies, and Saipan Humane Society staff led to the successful veterinary care of 461 island pets, SHS said in a media release.
During the SHS spay and neuter clinic from Oct. 14 to 17 and Oct. 22 to 25, surgeries were conducted by visiting veterinarian Dr. Jessica Nelson and registered veterinary technician Sonja Zgoensk. The Banfield Foundation paid for Nelson and Zgoensk’s flights, and sponsored the surgeries.
Although most of the surgeries were focused on spays and neuters for dogs and cats, SHS said, because the CNMI has no permanent veterinarian, Nelson and Zgoensk also performed “four life-saving leg amputations and several essential mass removals.”
“Among these [procedures], 136 female dogs were spayed, preventing the birth of countless unwanted puppies, thus significantly reducing animal suffering and the stray dog population in Saipan,” SHS said. “The team also saw 188 sick, emergency, and wellness appointments.”
SHS also extends “their heartfelt thanks to the Saipan Mayor’s Dog Control Program, which provided constant support throughout the clinic. The Dog Control Program lent two dedicated staff members daily and supplied essential crates for pets to use during surgery days. Their training in surgical preparation was invaluable to the clinic’s success. Special recognition also goes to Boonie Babies Rescue, who donated…their time volunteering at the clinic to assist with surgery preparation and also fundraising efforts to sponsor surgeries.”
SHS likewise thanked Lucky Bill’s, Sushi Spot, The Shack, Loco & Taco, Spicy Thai, Godfather’s, and Great Harvest as lunch sponsors; Pacific Eco for laundry services; Marpac for their “beautiful banner and trifold” donation; and Atkins Kroll Saipan for providing a rental car, which was used by Nelson and Zgoensk.
SHS extended a “huge thank you” to Nelson and Zgoensk for the “thousands of miles” they traveled to perform “as many surgeries as possible” during their stay.
In addition, SHS was grateful to the Banfield Foundation for the sponsorship.
The foundation’s mission “is to make preventive care possible for the pets that need it most, and they are doing just that by helping our community where there is no practicing veterinarian,” SHS said.
Dr. Jessica Nelson holds Princess Buttercup during Saipan Humane Society’s spay and neuter clinic.
Saipan Humane Society facilitated the veterinary care of 461 island pets over eight days.
Saipan Humane Society says the support of its partners helped make the spay and neuter clinic a success.
While on island, Dr. Jessica Nelson performed spay and neuter surgeries as well as other veterinary services.
A puppy wears an early Halloween costume at Saipan Humane Society’s spay and neuter clinic.
