Saipan Humane Society services 134 pets in Rota

The Saipan Humane Society, along with its partners, provided care to 134 pets on Rota over two days, from Friday, Feb. 20 to Saturday, Feb. 21.

Ahead of Saturday’s pet wellness clinic, the team spent Friday traveling from Songsong to Sinapalo, visiting manåmko’ and veterans to provide home-based services. The outreach continued the following day alongside the main clinic.

At the Songsong Roundhouse on Saturday, pet owners lined up from morning through the afternoon for free vaccines, deworming, consultations, flea and tick collars, dog food, and other supplies. Later in the day, while the clinic was still underway, team members also completed additional home visits.

The DLNR Division of Fish & Wildlife Dog Control Program assisted residents with dog registration in accordance with Local Law 23-03.

The outreach was supported by the Office of Rep. Julie Ogo and the 24th Rota Legislative Delegation. It was carried out in collaboration with Saipan Humane Society executive director Amber Weston, Banfield, Boonie Babies’ Aria Keilbach, the Rota Mayor’s Office under Mayor Aubry Hocog, Luta Cares, Inc., and virtual consultations from Dr. Mariah Coakley of Texas and Dr. Fiammeta Baccetti of Australia.

Ogo, on the way back to Saipan on Sunday, said the team was pleased with the outcome. “We were successful in visiting homebound senior citizens, and it was a successful event,” she said, thanking the volunteers and partner agencies.

Weston then echoed the sentiment. “We serviced 134 animals this trip thanks to Julie’s help, her staff, Luta Cares, and Aria,” she said. “Our first home visit was extremely successful and we’re looking forward to reaching out and doing this again… We actually ran out of supplies, so we were completely exhausted with what we brought over. We’re just so very happy that the turnout was amazing, and we love the support of the community, so we thank you all for that.”

Keilbach, reigning Miss Earth Northern Marianas 2025, said she was honored to assist. “With so many animals in the CNMI and so few organizations, it really does take a village,” she said.

Residents at the clinic also expressed appreciation throughout the day. Bobby Myers, who brought his dogs Poe and Luna to the Roundhouse, said registering pets would help address stray issues on the island. “Now we’re going to have dogs registered and now we can help clean up the dog problem here, so we appreciate it. Biba Luta.”

Florenda Rosario, who brought nine dogs, thanked organizers and said she hopes similar clinics continue in the future. Ethel Oropilla, who brought seven dogs—including some belonging to neighbors—said she was grateful for the free services. She shared that her son rescues stray dogs and she supports it, so she hopes there’s more of these free services.