{"id":410389,"date":"2024-06-04T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=410389"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"SHS-opens-pet-service-facility-in-Garapan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/SHS-opens-pet-service-facility-in-Garapan\/","title":{"rendered":"SHS opens pet service facility in Garapan"},"content":{"rendered":"

After years of caring and servicing over 5,000 pets, all without a place to call their own, the Saipan Humane Society was excited to announce that they have been finally able to open the doors to their own facility in Garapan. A soft opening took place at their new location in Garapan, nestled on the corner of Angaha Street and Alaihai Avenue, just behind Salt & Barber Saipan.<\/p>\n

The new facility houses a reception area, two separate waiting rooms\u2014one for regular visits and the other for sick pets\u2014to prevent cross contamination, two examination rooms, a food pantry, a small staff room, and an almost completed surgical room.<\/p>\n

In a conversation with the Saipan Humane Society founder Lauren Cabrera and co-founder and director of clinical services Ruby Ma last Thursday, they shared that although they will miss working side by side with individuals at the Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office Dog Control Program in As Perdido, it felt good to have a bigger space.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we were located at the main animal shelter, and we really appreciate how the mayor and the Dog Control Program helped us along since the beginning,\u201d said Ma.<\/p>\n

Cabrera said, \u201cThe main issue was just the lack of space at the Dog Control Program. They were really, very amazing, helping us get started up, but we quickly overwhelmed the facility and so we just wanted more space where we can have different exam rooms going at the same time, and our own place to call home, but we still really value the collaboration with Dog Control, because I think that\u2019s so important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both women highlighted that although their facilities are now separate the partnership is still there.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryday we have Dog Control staff come in to help us to do animal restraint, registration, and we even have dogs from the shelter adopted from here, they also help us to do different kinds of physical examinations\u2026\u201d Ma explained. \u201cSo, they have been very, very helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cabrera shared that the main reason they were able to obtain the spot was due to their partnership with the Banfield Foundation, who was willing to sponsor the rent. Ma pointed out that the foundation has not only sponsored their rent but also some of the medicine as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have been a great help to us, not only in growing the organization so they in turn can provide more services to the community and be more sustainable in the long term.\u201d she expressed.<\/p>\n

Cabrera noted, \u201cReally, the only reason we are able to survive is because of our really valuable government partnerships with the people at the Dog Control Program and then the Banfield Foundation. Without those two key pieces I think we probably wouldn\u2019t be here. You know everyday is a struggle trying to make the finances balanced so that we can be sustainable and we are just so grateful for all the support we have from those who help us,\u201d she said<\/p>\n

As of now, the facility is open every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10am to 2pm. Ma shared that as they gain more staff, they are looking forward to expand service hours, but as of now they need to be able to also accommodate the staff they have on hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are trying to expand our team so we can provide more services and extend longer hours for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that due to being short-staffed at the moment, they are functioning mostly through appointments, saying that clientele can make appointments on either their website or any of their social media sites.<\/p>\n

Currently they are doing wellness visits, several vaccinations such as Bordetella, DHPP, Lepto, and when they have a visiting veterinarian, they can do rabies vaccines. They also have provided Bravecto and Simparica Trio, done de-wormings, as well as physical examinations and consultation regarding upper respiratory disease, performed aid to wound or injuries, diarrhea, sneezing, or coughing.<\/p>\n

Carbera and Ma also announced some exciting news.<\/p>\n

\u201cShoutout to Banfield Foundation, they are sending teams to us in September, October, and November,\u201d said Ma.<\/p>\n

While they\u2019re still working on the details, she said each clinic will be around two weeks per visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very excited that there are finally three vets in a row coming to not only help us but serve the community.\u201d Ma said that they are hoping to partner with either the Boonie Babies or the Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office Dog Control Program to do TNR which is short for trap, neuter, and release. \u201cYou know we have such a huge stray overpopulation so the trap, spay, and neuter [campaign] will help a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shared that there are also plans to bring the clinic over to Rota, but as of now she isn\u2019t yet sure about Tinian due to unclear numbers and difficulties with equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt depends on how many people we have there and how much we can bring over. Because one of the very essential equipment to do a spay and neuter is the oxygen tank, and we need to find a cost-efficient way to bring those.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ma and Cabrera said they do hope to help out even more in the CNMI community and are excited for the upcoming clinic. Ma shared that more information will be released soon, adding that they are also hoping to have an official grand opening around September or October as well.<\/p>\n

For more information on the Saipan Humane Society, call (670) 838-7387 or check them out on their social media pages.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Saipan Humane Society co-founders Ruby Ma and Lauren Cabrera and staff Shareen Mongkeya pose for a photo at their new facility in Garapan.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

The new Saipan Humane Society facility on the corner of Angaha Street and Alaihai Avenue, just behind the Salt & Barber Saipan in Garapan.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Exam Room 1 at the new Saipan Humane Society\u2019s new facility in Garapan.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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