Support Pretty Girl's Journey from Saipan

This is Pretty Girl, a 1 & ½ year old “Boonie Dog” on the island of Saipan, and our beloved family member. We first befriended Pretty as a puppy living in the parking lot of our apartment building. As we looked for a house to rent so that we could officially make her part of the family, Pretty was viciously attacked by other stray dogs. Fortunately, we were able to nurse her back to health. Though she lost part of her tail and will always have a limp, she is a thriving happy dog.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is home to thousands of stray animals. Boonie dogs are some of the smartest and loving dogs I have ever come across. They are the descendants of WW2 service dogs and often have German Shepard and Lab looks/coloring, but I think they could be classified as their own breed at this point. There is no vet here on the island of Saipan, and no easy way to get animals off the island. Though a US territory, only one domestic airline services the island, and United Airlines stopped allowing animal travel some time ago.

The only way to take Pretty Girl with us when we move to the mainland is through a pet shipping company that charters a plane. Most dogs get abandoned as their owners cannot afford to do this. Rehoming is not an option for us. There is no realistic way to get someone to adopt her on an island with roughly 30,000 stray cats and dogs. More importantly because she is our fur baby and an important part of the family.

@prettythebooniedog

If any funds remain after paying for Pretty’s charter ticket, they will go to The Boonie Flight Project to help other wonderful Boonies find forever homes stateside. Please visit the following websites for more information about these wonderful dogs and what can be done to help them:

boonieflightproject.com

saipanhumanesociety.org

booniebabiessaipan.com