Ads by Google Ads by Google

Spay & Neuter services for adult dogs available through May 20

Dogs in wire cages with Spay clinic staff
Appointments mandatory for these services
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The “Free Dog Spay & Neuter Project” at the Tafuna Veterinary Clinic and the villages of Fagatogo, Fagaitua and Leone, that kicked off yesterday and runs through May 20, was reportedly a successful first day.

This project sponsored by the animal welfare non-profit organization, Coconut Mutts in collaboration with the ASG Department of Health's Veterinary Clinic, the Office of Samoan Affairs, Department of Education, Legislature, Alofa Mo Meaola, Lions Club, and Animal Lovers aims to prevent a further increase in the number of dogs on Tutuila by providing spay and neuter surgery for adult dogs.

Dr. Bret Grover, who has provided his services in the past, arrived Monday with medication and supplies donated by Coconut Mutts and its partners. He will be working with the Clinic staff to spay or neuter an estimated 50 dogs per day. This is a very focused project: adult dogs only for spay or neuter surgery, according to a DoH statement.

The project is providing services in these areas by appointment: Fagatogo Pavilion on May 17; Fagaitua High School Fale on May 18; Leone residence of Andra Samoa on May 19; and Tafuna Veterinary Clinic on May 20. Yesterday’s service was also at the Veterinary Clinic

Dog owners must call in to the Clinic to make an appointment.

The following rules will ensure the Project reaches the most number of dog owners:

•           no walk-ins to the Clinic — if you don't have an appointment you will be politely asked to return after May 20

•           no cats — cat surgeries can be done by Clinic staff after May 20

•           no health checks — these can be done by Clinic staff

•           maximum 3 adult dogs per owner can be scheduled during this project — female dogs are the priority

Dogs should be at the surgery area by 9am, unfed, on a leash. All dogs must be picked up by 3:30pm on the same day. If you are unable to transport your dogs to a clinic, please let the Clinic staff know this when you make your appointment.

Dogs generally considered 'strays' — on the street, un-collared or un­ chipped, may be picked up by Clinic staff for surgery. They will be returned to the area from which they were picked up upon clearance by the VET. The Clinic has no room to house stray dogs. The Clinic does not kill/ euthanize otherwise healthy dogs.

“Managing the dog population is a long-term effort. Spay and neuter is scientifically proven to be the most effect way to do that. We saw evidence of this when we had two U.S certified veterinarians on staff at the clinic between 2013 and 2018. The number of dogs we have now is the result of not having consistent spay and neuter services over the last five years,” according to a statement from DoH.

“Our goal is to have 250 dogs spayed or neutered by May 20. At 6 puppies per litter, 2 litters per dog per year, those 250 surgeries could eliminate 3,000 unwanted dogs in a year,” it says.

For regular routine health checkup, deworming, and vaccination please come to the Tafuna Veterinary Clinic on Weds, Thurs., Friday (May 17-19). The Clinic will resume all services of both dogs and cats at the Tafuna VET Clinic on Tuesday, May 23.

For questions and other information call the VET Clinic 699-9445 or Shawnti (252-7821), Debbie (256-2629); and Luana Scanlan (256-8523)