Be Zero’s Hero

Running a dog rescue on the island of Saipan, I see lots of dogs in need. Some I can help, some I cannot.

I saw Zero for the first time this September chained to a tree in someone’s front yard, in plain view right next to a main road. He looked skeletal, he was so emaciated and his chain was so tight it was close to being ingrown.

I pulled over and tossed a little of the kibble I always keep in my car to him, he scarfed down the pieces and frantically searched the surrounding grass for more.

I immediately reported this neglect to the dog control program, and hoped they'd be able to improve the situation somehow but knew that was all I could do at the moment.

Every Friday (euthanasia day at the Mayor's Dog Control Shelter) I go to give treats and love to the dogs who need it. As I was going through the rows of dogs surrendered by owners who didn’t want them anymore or picked up as strays by dog control, I saw a familiar face. Dog control staff confirmed he was the dog I reported, his owners had surrendered him after giving a wellness visit.

I opened his kennel and he stood there, tail wagging wildly, so happy to be off the chain. There are so few adopters here that I knew he stood little chance of lasting another week in the shelter. There's a five day stray hold but owner surrenders have no exemption from euthanasia day, especially dogs like this who are medically in need. A humane and kind death is better than starving on a chain but he looked at me with so much adoration and hope, I couldn't leave him that day any more than I could do nothing and leave him starving on a chain.

Zero is a young boonie dog, probably no more than two years old. He’s recovering incredibly quickly, has put on some weight already, and has such a loving and grateful demeanor.

Although Zero is a great dog with a heartbreaking past who deserves the world, his future is still uncertain. Statistically there are just not enough homes here for the amount of dogs in need, adoptions are close to impossible.

However, because United refuses to fly pets for locals (military is exempt) and they are our only domestic airline, flying dogs off-island is difficult and expensive. Would we be able to raise the $2000+ it would cost to fly him to a home in the mainland U.S.? Is that even ethical? Wouldn't it be more ethical to spend those thousands on spay/neuter here in the community? But then sacrifice individual dogs?

It's a lot of decisions and turmoil and moral dilemmas to work in the animal rescue field, especially operating in a remote location with so little resources and options. It often feels impossible to make the right call. However, the outpouring of support since posting Zero’s story has been refreshing and much appreciated. If this GoFundMe reaches its goal, Zero will be flown to a forever home, any surplus will be donated to spay/neuter efforts on-island to prevent suffering of more dogs like Zero. I hope regardless of how Zero's story ends that he inspires change.