To reduce the stray dog population, the Animal Protection Society of Samoa (APS) launched a five-day clinic last week to provide pet owners with free de-sexing and other services for dogs.

Wide-spread de-sexing is the best solution to control and contain stray dog populations according to Leisha Ah Sang, clinic manager at APS, because it prevents the birth of unwanted dogs. 

Over the five days they hosted the clinic last week and early this week, more than 140 dogs were de-sexed and more than 160 puppies received check-ups. In addition to de-sexing, APS provided free dog registrations, health checks, flea and worm treatments, and vaccinations. 

Ms. Ah Sang predicts the increase of stray dogs may be caused by people not properly taking care of their dogs and not feeding them which would cause dogs to leave their homes and go to the streets to look for food. 

One of the most recurring issues that occurs to stray dogs is being hit by cars because they don’t stay home and they go out. Stray dogs can cause issues such as dog fights or attacks on humans. 

Another issue that poses for pet owners is the lack of vets and veterinary clinics. APS is the only clinic in Samoa for pets and is located in Vailima which may be difficult for people to access due to the distance and lack of transportation. 

According to Ms. Ah Sang, some people don’t have cars to bring their animals and if they require taxis, many taxi drivers don’t want pets in the cars. 

“I’m pretty sure that there are lots of pet owners that are keen to treat their dogs but it’s just a matter of location and availability that is stopping them,” Ms. Ah Sang said. 

One interesting thing Ms. Ah Sang has noticed during her time at APS is how people in Samoa are more likely to keep male dogs over female dogs, so for their de-sexing initiative, they are encouraging pet owners to de-sex female dogs to reduce dog populations.  

The initiative was launched in preparation for CHOGM this upcoming fall to ensure the beauty of Samoa for guests visiting the island.  

They have recruited vets and vet nurses from overseas through Vets Beyond Borders and are working on this initiative with the Samoa Tourism Authority, Samoa Ports Authority, and the Dog Management Unit at the Samoa Police. 

They have also received funding through the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

During her time at APS, she has noticed people’s attitudes change toward pets and has seen people begin to understand the importance of taking care of a pet and being responsible. 

“Since I first started here few people were coming in but we’ve been doing a lot of advertisements, awareness, and outreach and that has really helped,” Ms. Ah Sang said. 

In the future, they hope to continue doing outreach and educational programs and bring more vet services to rural areas. 

Their next clinic is expected to start on 29 July. The location is still to be confirmed but updates can be found on the APS Facebook page.