I am in town until Friday. I have friends with me who are considering adopting a dog to take back to US with them. We visited SAGA Humane Society building today around 2PM but no one seemed to be there (other than a barking dog or two). Can anyone tell us when and how to visit? The phone number does not seem to be working. Also, I adopted a dog and took her home with me about 5 years ago. As I recall, American Airlines does not allow dogs in cabin and an embargo of pets in cargo may be in effect due to heat. Other than the additional requirement of health/rabies certificate, does anyone know of other issues that have arisen? Thanks in advance for your help.
S

It sounds like you may have been at Fort Dog, not at the Saga Humane Society office which is located a block away.

You can call Saga at 226 3266 and Ingrid can assist you in adopting a pet and she can help you work out the details to take a dog/cat abroad. I just called the number and you have to let it ring about 10 times then a machine kicks in. The message describes the hours the office is open etc.

If that doesn't work Saga operates a website too: http://sagahumanesociety.org/

When you say that you're considering adopting a dog, may I ask if you have a certain dog in mind? I'm asking because a friend fell in love with an island dog and wanted to take her back home. It turned out that the dog was owned by someone on the island and was a local legend.

Hi Seachange, my name is Ari, I work with Saga as a Board Member and volunteer - I just called and spoke to Ingrid at the Clinic she says they were there at 2 PM, so I think you may have been at the dog shelter around the corner instead as Amanda suggested.

She and the Vet Dr. Lauren Henckel are there now and will be there until 5pm today, back tomorrow and Friday (Hours are 9-12 and 1-5 Monday to Friday, and Saturday from 9-12. Sometimes if they are busy with an animal they may miss the phone call, but that's pretty unusual. Please do try to call them again at 226-3266.

Dr. Henckel could also share her recent personal experiences about the air transport of dogs at this time, as I understand it there are restrictions when the temps are too high. The best scenario is when an animal is small enough to fly in cabin which is hopefully the case with your friend's intended adoptee.

We are very pleased that the Veterinary Clinic is now fully open with Dr. Henckel on site, licensed and permitted, and ready for action!

We thank everyone in the community again for all your support.

Regards, Ari

Thanks, that is an excellent point. I understand that. My friends want to see if there is any dog in the care of SAGA that may be appropriate for them to adopt. As far as I can tell from the website, some have been with SAGA for months, so I am guessing no one has claimed them.

Ari, thanks again. My friends will head over to SAGA.
S

Great to know, that SAGA is back alive and 100% licensed and permitted.

All the best for Dr. Lauren Henckel and Ingrid.
As we see know, 10 years of a great job for the animals of San Pedro with high ethical standards, helped in this stormy waters.

That's very good news, but is it strictly true? I was told that the permit is only to treat rescue animals and pets whose owners otherwise couldn't afford veterinary care.

C'mon Peter (Pedro)..back off!

Thanks so much! Everything worked out happily for my friends.
S