American Samoa Humane Society
P.O. Box 6332
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
(684) 699.8590
ashumanesociety@yahoo.com / www.ashumanesociety.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 American Samoa Humane Society Conducting Dog Population Study
PAGO PAGO, Tuesday April 1, 2008- Throughout April and May of this year, researchers contracted by the American Samoa Humane Society (ASHS) will be conducting a dog population study on Tutuila Island. The study aims to document the number of dogs observable along public roads in highly populated areas in the central and western districts, as well as in some small and mid-sized villages in both the eastern and western districts. The researchers will gather data on the sex, age, and general health status of dogs they encounter during the study.
This dog population study is spearheaded by the ASHS, whose mission is to help eliminate animal overpopulation by conducting public education campaigns, hosting spay/neuter clinics, and facilitating animal adoptions. In the latter months of 2007 the ASHS sought funding from the international organization The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to conduct the dog population study, and was awarded funding in January 2008. The ASHS will use the results of the study to determine the size and status of the island’s dog population in order to continue planning joint programs for population control with the American Samoa Government, and to track the effectiveness of programs in the coming years.
Over the past three years, the ASHS together with the Department of Agriculture (DOA) Veterinary Services and the Governor’s Stray Dog Control Task Force have held several large-scale spay/neuter and wellness clinics, where over 3,000 animals were de-sexed and/or treated for serious medical conditions (the DOA Veterinary Services team continues to hold spay/neuter clinics each Wednesday in their Tafuna office). According to ASHS Co-chair, Elizabeth Ballering “the results of this study will lay the groundwork for the future direction of our organization and enable us to build more partnerships with local and international organizations.”
For more information contact the ASHS at ashumanesociety@yahoo.com, or visit the ASHS website: www.ashumanesociety.org.
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