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Tighter monitoring on entry of pets ordered
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Posted on Mar 01 2001
Lands and Natural Resources officials reminded pet owners yesterday to secure quarantine permits for their Northern Marianas-bound domestic animals.
In a renewed effort to alert pet owners, DLNR tapped the assistance of airline operators and staff to require passengers bringing in animals to have their pets undergo quarantine and veterinarian check up.
DLNR Special Assistant for Correspondence Mariane Teregeyo disclosed yesterday that in an absence of quarantine permit, several domesticated animals were placed in quarantine area or the DLNR veterinary clinic to undergo routine check up.
So far only animals from Guam are not subject to this inspection since the island has its own quarantine procedure. Apart from Guam, Saudi Arabia is also considered rabies-free.
“If the country the animals came from is considered rabies-free, animals are placed on home quarantine, if not, they will be secured at the agriculture department’s veterinary clinic under Dr. Ike dela Cruz,” said Ms. Teregeyo.
She said the problem is aggravated by the fact that pet owners are not properly informed of the existing quarantine procedures and requirements of the Commonwealth.
She added that most of them are compelled to either leave their pets at the point of origin or place them in quarantine area until CNMI veterinarians clear them.
Under the veterinarian care, pets are asked to stay more than a day at a cost of $3.50 per day at the clinic. Depending on the case of the animals, owners are required to have their pets quarantined until the DLNR clear them of any ailments.
Incoming pets are required to undergo vaccination and must be free of rabies.
Rabies is considered dangerous since its effect runs from seven days to almost throughout the adult life of an individual. It can cause death and other complications not only to human but also to the animals.
