Thursday, November 29, 2007

Thank you WSPA and Members of the Community


Dear Members of the Community:

PAWS would like to thank Melissa Brown from the World Society for the Protection of Animals for making a special trip to Saipan to assess our animal situation and to discuss methods of animal control. We are extremely grateful for your time and consideration, and look forward to working with WSPA to reduce the number of stray and/or roaming animals in Saipan.

PAWS would also like to thank the following individuals, organizations, and government agencies for attending yesterday's meeting with the World Society for the Protection of the Animals:

  • House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta
  • House Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua
  • Representative Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero
  • Representative Cinta Kaipat
  • Representative Arnold Palacios
  • Representative Candido B. Taman
  • Representative Manuel A. Tenorio
  • Senate Legal Counsel Mike Ernst
  • Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz, Department of Land and Natural Resources
  • Tony Benevente, Mayor's Office
  • Nate Hawley, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Paul Radley, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Angelo Villagomez, Executive Director of MINA, member of Beautify CNMI! Animal Welfare Committee, and Saipan Tribune freelance writer
  • Capt. Carl Brachear, Beautify CNMI! Animal Welfare Committee Member
  • Ruth Tighe, Beautify CNMI! Animal Welfare Committee Member
  • Rose Callier, PAWS Board Member
  • Ken Baer, PAWS Member
  • Mariana Variety Reporter
  • MCV Reporter Morgan Rose
The conversation on animal control was fruitful, as it highlighted many issues that need to be addressed by the legislature, government agencies, and the community as a whole if Saipan is to resolve the problems related to animal over-population and/or irresponsible pet ownership. We hope to continue this dialogue and convert this educational experience into progress that will benefit the entire Saipan community. More specifically, we hope that PAWS and government officials can work together to pass an anti-cruelty law that imposes upon Saipan citizens an obligation to act as a responsible pet owner for the benefit of the community and the environment; educate the people of Saipan about the importance of responsible pet ownership; and provide the people of Saipan with opportunities to act as responsible pet owners.

Together, we can improve the quality of life for humans and animals alike through humane animal control methods.

Again, thank you for time and consideration in addressing this very important issue.


3 comments:

Lil' Hammerhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lil' Hammerhead said...

So, my family and I visited the art festival this weekend at the civic center auditorium. We saw Bruce there manning the PAWS table. I have a few questions, 1) is this why you wouldn't answer my request for advice regarding the abused dogs? 2) Is this why you refrained from saying anything about the abused dogs? 3) Is this why you did not make any comment about the threat from Bruce?, 4) Is this why you have not made comment regarding the recent removal of the two dogs, despite the fact that prior to the post, these dogs were there for months, and had only been removed following this post 5)That there were younger dogs there months prior that were malnourished and housed in similarly horrid conditions, that are now gone, 5)Are you really worried about the welfare of animals as much as you're worried about the feelings of Bruce?

I pose these questions because they are absolutely relevant. Relevant to the purpose of your organization, as you state the purpose. And relevant with regards to your stated position of the responsibility of the community for the wellbeing of animals.

I ask.. which weighs heavier? A concern for the animals.. or a concern for Bruce Bateman? As someone who has supported strongly the cause of animal welfare here for the past12 years.. I do expect the courtesy of an answer.

Katie said...

Dear Lil Hammerhead:

Though we appreciate your concerns regarding the dogs, we cannot participate in the disputes that exist between fellow bloggers. We welcome anyone to help us - all personal rifts aside.

In all honesty, we are so busy preparing for the art festival, preparing education presentations, rescuing dogs abandoned at the beach and in the jungle, writing grants and articles, and lobbying for the passage of an anti-cruelty bill we just don't have the time to participate in unproductive exchanges.

Again - we are an organization run by three or four volunteers. We care deeply about the animals on this island - otherwise we would not donate so much of our time and personal income to their well-being.

The purpose of our blog is to keep people informed of our activities and efforts.

Judging by your comments placed here - it is evident that you have no idea hard our volunteers work for no-pay and no personal benefit.

Rather than attack our efforts, it would be far more constructive to volunteer your time to helping the community.

In the future, if you have concerns about animals, please contact us. We will look into the situation as best we can. However, please keep in mind, that the three or four people that comprise PAWS have full-time jobs and are running a non-profit organization in their spare time. Thus, we are not always able to respond in the manner that we would like.

If you have nothing but negative and unconstructive comments to contribute to our efforts, then we ask that you refrain from submitting comments all together. We will not respond to attacks or unfounded accusations. We have too much to do and we are doing the best that we can with very little.

Kindest Regards,
Katie