It’s not just a Saipan problem….

By Grace Keilbach

I remember being in kindergarten when Aria and I first began begging our mom for a dog. We wanted a puppy on the smaller end but outside of that, the only requirements were “dog” (we’ve never been picky). After what seemed like forever, the moment finally came and we were on our way to look for our new best friend. We went to the shelter and were unimpressed by the selection that day so we quickly moved on to our favorite store, a local pet shop that always had an unlimited amount of the most adorable puppies…

There, we were overwhelmed with puppy cuteness and after a few sister arguments about which one was ours and potential name options, we eventually settled on one very special “rat terrier” (my pick) for only a few hundred bucks. Despite actually being an awful dog who had extreme resource guarding issues (snapping at you anytime you tried to move her from a comfy spot) and major flight risk problems (she would run out the door at any given opportunity and not come back), she was our most precious and perfect baby from day one. We got to grow up with Lilly by our side’s, a soul who loved sleeping in until noon just as much as we did. We loved Lilly and she was the best dog, but the fact of the matter is she was bred for profit with no regard for her health or wellbeing and we fell for it.

With the power of the internet in your pocket, turning a blind eye to the shelter crisis happening largely due to backyard breeding is no longer an option. Dogs suffering and dying isn’t just a Saipan problem.

U.S. shelter statistics

Although the U.S. mainland has more resources and is better equipped to handle the excess number of unwanted animals, shelters are still facing a crisis that most people don’t know about. Here’s the truth:

(All of the following data is collected from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as of 2024)

• 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters/rescues, with the number being spilt evenly between species

• 334,000 dogs were euthanized

• 273,000 cats were euthanized

• 60% of animals enter into the system as strays

• 29% of animals who enter into the system are owner surrender

• Not enough animals are being adopted to significantly reduce the number of animals in shelters

• 34% of dogs are purchased from breeders

Humans are purposefully creating, or failing to prevent the creation of, more animals than we can care for. Dogs and cats dying is not just a Saipan problem, it’s happening at a shelter near you.

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Boonie of the Week: Pippin

Story Submitted By Taylor Hartman

The moment I saw Pippin’s adoption listing, I had a feeling he was something special. He had been dropped off at a rural shelter in Tennessee, along with his mom and two siblings, by someone claiming to be an AKC Australian Shepherd breeder. Thankfully, a rescue group in Virginia stepped in to give him a second chance. A friend sent me his adoption link, and something about his photo tugged at my heart. I filled out the application, got an email, and met him in a local park. The second I saw him, I knew—he was meant to be ours. We brought him home the very next day.

Our journey together wasn’t easy at first. Just one day after adoption, Pippin developed a terrible cough, and we ended up at the ER vet where he was diagnosed with kennel cough. With medication and lots of TLC, he recovered after about a month and started enjoying the puppy life. But at around six months old, I noticed a small limp that didn’t go away. After vet visits and consultations with a specialist, we found out he had bilateral elbow dysplasia. Surgery was successful, though it revealed he already had arthritis in his right elbow. He handled his recovery like a champ, with a month of strict rest and hydrotherapy sessions to help him heal. Out of curiosity, we did a DNA test and found that he’s actually only 80% Australian Shepherd—backyard breeders at their best.

Today, Pippin is thriving and we do literally everything together. While we manage his arthritis carefully, he’s able to do almost everything other dogs can do—he hikes, kayaks, visits the horse barn with me, and even competes in dock diving! He travels with me and has been to multiple states, greets every person and animal with joy, and knows a long list of tricks. He is the perfect little model having done content for different brands, hotels, and airbnbs. His puppyhood may have started rough, but nothing has dimmed his spirit. Pippin is the sweetest, most resilient little guy, and I’m endlessly grateful that he found his way to us.

To keep up with Taylor and all of her amazing rescue pups(she even fostered a Boonie dog from Saipan!), follow her on Instagram @livingdogfriendly!

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