Every Dog Matters: Donate to Help Boonie Dogs on Saipan

Hafa Adai,

My name is Lauren - I am one of the founders of Boonie Flight Project and also the Board President of Saipan Humane Society.

Boonie Flight Project emerged in 2021 to help solve the dog overpopulation issues here on Guam and Saipan, United States territories in the Pacific.

Referred to as “boonie dogs,” many of our island dogs are descendants of World War II service dogs that were left behind. Boonies are known for their kind and loyal temperaments, resilient spirits, and incredible intelligence.

I live on Saipan, a small island of only 50,000 people. We have more than 21,000 dogs with only 1 shelter and NO veterinarian. No veterinarian means no consistent access to spay/neuter - and that means the dog population just continues to grow, with very few local adopters. This means many, many dogs are euthanized.

While we work hard to create sustainable change through spay/neuter programs at Saipan Humane, we have to do what we can to alleviate suffering and get dogs off the streets. I unfortunately have the heavy task of euthanizing shelter dogs. Each euthanasia day, I can't help but save a few dogs.. but then I have nowhere for them to go.

For years, BFP successfully flew dogs, puppies and even some kittens to the mainland United States for a chance at better lives. Sadly, our rescue has been crippled by the discontinuation of United Airlines’ Pet transport services. United is currently the only domestic airline carrier on Saipan, and for the past 4 years they have completely restricted pet transport. This has led to even more stress on our shelters, as Saipan residents who need to relocate have been forced to surrender their pets to our shelter. Our shelter currently has a devastating 98% euthanasia rate.

The only hope our shelter animals have is to find homes on the mainland United States. To save lives, we must secure very expensive private charters ($250-350k) or fly dogs indirectly to an international destination first to connect with an airline carrier that allows pet transport to the United States.

What used to cost hundreds, now costs thousands for us to do lifesaving transport (about $3500-4k per dog). AND, we need to coordinate flights within 10 days of a veterinarian visiting Saipan - otherwise the bill is about $1,000 higher.

We have almost enough funds to fly 3 dog on August 26th: Jellybean, Willow, and Bea.

THEN, I want to fly a few more dogs this fall when we have visiting vets (Oct/Nov). This includes the white scruffy boy at our clinic, and dogs I will save on upcoming euthanasia days. After that, I am probably taking a break from flying dogs (and hopefully going to veterinary school!). I am exhausted, but saving a few dogs from the hundreds I euthanize each month keeps me going.

To save the last few dogs I can, I will need both flight funds and adopters/rescues for these dogs.

We need your support to help these Boonies fly to a better life.

Donations will go directly to the Saipan Humane Society, a 501c3, to secure the flights and cover the flight preparation expenses.