MANGILAO, Guam — The Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health and its partner clinic have reached a major milestone in the island’s long-running effort to humanely address pet overpopulation, completing their 10,000th spay and neuter surgery.
The patient who marked the milestone is Sono, a former stray who first appeared as a small, underweight puppy on the Sono Felice Golf Course in Talo’fo’fo. The maintenance crew there took her in, provided food, water, and shelter, and over time she recovered and became a fixture of daily life at the course, greeting workers each morning and following them as they went about their day.
Wanting to secure her future, staff arranged for Sono to be brought to the SNIP clinic, where she received a microchip, vaccinations, and surgery to prevent pregnancy.
Since the Agriculture Department revived its partnership with Spay and Neuter Island Pets (SNIP) Clinic in 2022, the program has spayed and neutered 10,000 animals across Guam. Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio called the milestone a demonstration of what strategic partnerships can achieve.
“The 10,000th surgery marks a major achievement in our commitment to animal health and public welfare,” Tenorio said. “Collaborating with the SNIP clinic demonstrates how strategic partnerships and sound policy produce sustainable, humane solutions to long-standing challenges.”
Department of Agriculture Director Chelsa Muña echoed that sentiment. “We’re ensuring that Guam’s communities and animals can coexist in a healthier, more balanced environment,” she said.
Territorial Veterinarian Dr. Mariana Turner said Sono’s story speaks to the broader mission behind the program. “Dogs and people have lived alongside one another for thousands of years, and that bond remains an important part of our communities today,” Turner said. “Animals enrich our lives, and programs like SNIP help us maintain a healthy balance between people and animals. Our goal is to support responsible, sustainable ownership, including community care of animals, so we can build a healthier environment for both animals and people.”
Global animal welfare organizations including Humane World for Animals and Humane Innovations have emphasized that sustainable solutions to pet overpopulation depend primarily on prevention rather than expanding shelter capacity. Accessible spay and neuter services are widely recognized as the most effective and humane long-term strategy for reducing the number of animals entering the shelter system.
Residents interested in scheduling spay and neuter services or learning more about the SNIP program can visit snipclinicguam.com or call 671-988-8421.
