PAWS, US army hold medical clinic for pets

The Palau Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) partnered with U.S. Army veterinarians completed animal medical services clinic from 15^th-18^th of April.

This collaboration came after U.S. Ambassador Amy Hyatt’s request to include veterinarians in the recent U.S. Army Security Cooperation Exercise in Palau.

During the 4 day clinic PAWS treated 115 island pets, including the spay and neuter of 42 dogs and 16 cats.

PAWS extends a special thanks to U.S. Army veterinarians Major John Knowles and Capt. Shereen Burton, and Medic Sergeant First Class AJ DeLeon, assisted by Sergeant Felicia Ordaz, who provided the much needed medical services assistance.

Burton stressed the importance of spaying and neutering animals to control the stray animal population and ensure happy and healthy pets.

According to Burton, the clinic helped with the overpopulation of pets in Palau which is a big problem in a lot of communities throughout the world.

Dr. Burton said, “The opportunity to meet the community and the pet owners allows us to talk about education and help the pet families of Palau.”

Spaying or neutering pets helps control the pet homelessness crisis, where otherwise healthy dogs and cats are unnecessarily euthanized in Palau each year because there aren’t enough homes to go around.

There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying female pets and neutering male pets. Spaying female pet will help her live a longer, healthier life and helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats.

Spaying female pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

A neutered male pet is less likely to roam away from home, helps prevent cancers, and helps with behavior problems.

In conjunction with the clinic the Army Vets were also able to work with and instruct three Palauan women – Ms. Michelle Shiro, Ms. Miel Holm, and Ms Kaylee Giramur, who expressed an interest in pursuing a veterinarian career in Palau.  PAWS thanks the three women for their ambition, and more importantly their volunteer efforts which allowed PAWS to carry out this important public service.

PAWS also expressed gratitude towards all those involved in make the medical clinic possible.

PAWS is always looking for volunteers and donations in order to continue its efforts to provide quality care for Palau’s pet population. If you would like to participate as a volunteer or make a financial contribution to PAWS please contact PAWS President, Nik Ngirailild, at 775-PAWS(7297). (PR)