Lauren Cabrera, President of the Saipan Humane Society (SHS), is spearheading a campaign urging for the establishment of regular pet shipping services in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), citing the potential to significantly reduce animal suffering.
Cabrera highlighted the prevalent issue faced by pet owners departing the CNMI, noting the limited options available for transporting their beloved companions. She underscored that pets in Saipan are often left either abandoned or entrusted to the Saipan Dog Control Program due to restrictions on pets as cargo aboard United Airlines flights. Tragically, if these animals are not adopted, they face euthanasia.
To address this pressing concern, Cabrera emphasized the pivotal role of the Boonie Flight Project, a collaborative initiative with a pet shipping company facilitating charter flights to relocate dogs and cats from Saipan to new homes in the mainland United States. However, she lamented the steep costs associated with such services, which pose a significant financial burden on pet owners.
Echoing Cabrera’s sentiments, former Saipan resident Tina Ngo shared her firsthand experience of incurring exorbitant expenses amounting to thousands of dollars to transport her pets between Saipan and California. Ngo emphasized the financial strain faced by many individuals unable to afford such fees, leading to a distressing trend of pet abandonment.
Aria Keilbach, co-founder of Boonie Babies, expressed profound dismay and frustration over the distressing plight of animals resulting from the absence of regular pet shipping services. Keilbach stressed the necessity of accessible pet transportation options to prevent the abandonment of cherished pets and curb the burgeoning stray animal population in the CNMI.
Cabrera urged United Airlines to reconsider its moratorium on animal shipping, emphasizing the detrimental impact of this policy on both pets and their owners in the CNMI. She called for exemptions from cabotage restrictions, citing the unique circumstances of the CNMI and the imperative to address its distinctive needs.
Despite efforts to obtain a response from United Airlines, Variety was unable to procure a comment on the matter.
The fervent advocacy led by Cabrera, Ngo, Keilbach, and other concerned individuals underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to ensure the welfare and humane treatment of animals in the CNMI.
