The TikTok Trap: Flying to the middle of nowhere to volunteer with strangers

Boonie Babies Saipan

Life as a volunteer at Boonie Babies HQ

By Natalie Geballe

Hi everyone! My name is Natalie, and I was a Boonie Babies volunteer back in 2022. Since then, Boonie Babies, the women that run it, the other volunteers I met along the way, and dog rescue have all become a HUGE part of my life—and I couldn’t be more grateful! 

Back in May of 2022, I came across a random TikTok of two girls who were looking for volunteers to help run their dog rescue. I had followed their account for a few months, but didn’t really know much about the Boonie Babies mission or even where they were located. I hopped on a Zoom call that ended with me buying a one-way ticket to Saipan—an island I had never heard of—to live with people I didn’t know and work with animals I had literally never worked with before (besides growing up with my family dog). I was itching to travel and thought it would be a “unique” experience. Little did I know, I would stay for over four months, I would make friendships that would last a lifetime, and dog rescue would become one of my greatest passions. 

Saipan is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, with some of the nicest people I have ever met, but the overpopulation of dogs is utterly shocking. There truly is no way to describe it. The harsh reality these dogs face is unlike anything I’ve ever seen anywhere else. Pictures and stories don’t do it justice. The entire mainland U.S. is facing a shelter crisis, even with access to all the resources we have available to us. In Saipan, they are facing the same issues, arguably worse, because there is no vet on-island to provide medical care or to spay and neuter, no education surrounding rescues, no on-island pet stores, and no way to ship them off-island to loving homes.  As someone who went into this with no expectations and really no experience working with dogs, it completely changed how I viewed the rescue scene and the people that dedicate their lives to such a thankless, exhausting, never-ending job.

I went into this trip thinking it was a good way to travel to a place I’ve never been before and maybe see some cool beaches, and I left with a boonie dog of my own and a whole new perspective. I was lucky enough to return to Saipan this year and see all the amazing people that make Boonie Babies possible. 

Aria and Grace—you two are some seriously amazing women. These two dedicate ALL of their time and money to saving dogs. Aria, the wealth of knowledge, generosity, and maturity you have will never be matched. Grace, your creativity and work ethic is so incredibly impressive, and why Boonie Babies has the following it does today.

Still curious about volunteer life?

Listen to our podcast, “Hot Girls Rescue Dogs,” to hear from another wonderful volunteer and other fun stories! Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Vaccines, vaccines, vaccines!

This morning we took nine dogs to Saipan Humane Society to get their first round of vaccines and rabies shots! Vaccinations are crucial to protect animals from easily transmittable—and often fatal—diseases. In addition to keeping them safe, now Billie, Nellie, Lottie, Tequila, Banana, Cricket, Olive, Love, and Bug also meet the requirements to fly off-island if they’re lucky enough to find adopters.

While we are so grateful to have access to these necessary vaccines, keeping this many animals healthy gets expensive quickly. Since Boonie Babies is a non-profit, we rely on donations for this medical care. These dogs are going to need a couple more rounds of vaccinations soon; help us out by donating what you can so no one misses their shots!

Boonie of the Week

While Lucy loves an adventure here and there, Natalie truly believes she was meant to be a couch potato. There is nothing that girl loves more than sprawling out on Natalie’s couch or sunbathing in the grass in her backyard. She LOVES food—there’s not a food out there that she’s ever declined. She even got into Natalie’s sushi takeout one time and ate an entire glob of wasabi. She can be a sassy girl sometimes—she gives side-eye like no other. But like mother, like daughter. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” Natalie says, “and I am so, so grateful to have her in my life.”