The Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division, in partnership with Humane World for Animals, released the results of a long-awaited survey on the island’s dog and cat populations. 

The report shows that while responsible pet ownership is on the rise, the total dog population remains at a steady 60,000.

Dr. Mariana Turner with DOAG says that’s Guam's carrying capacity, or the maximum number of dogs the island’s environment and resources can support. 

“We’re nowhere near the sterilization rate for spays and neuters that we need to be to actually have an effect on the population,” said Turner. 

Despite notable improvements in sterilization and veterinary care, the current pace of spay and neuter surgeries—around 4,000 a year—isn’t enough to curb the growth of free-roaming dogs.

“If we increase sterilization numbers, we prevent unwanted litters. And there’s only so many homes. When we’re unable to find homes for them, they end up on the streets or in the yard, free to do whatever they choose to do,” added Turner.  

She says annual sterilizations need to increase to at least 6,000 per year. 

Their goal is to reach 85% sterilization by 2035, a critical threshold to achieve a steady decline in the number of free-roaming dogs.

“There’s no way, no matter how fast I do spay and neuter surgeries, that the SNIP clinics by themselves will be able to do 2,000 more surgeries,” she said. 

To address this, they propose expanding partnerships with local veterinarians, increasing subsidized spay and neuter clinics, and strengthening community education programs. 

“When our community is better educated on how individually each person that owns an animal can take better care of their animal and be more responsible for their animals, then we know what we do at home affects the population as a whole,” Turner added.  

These initiatives aim to reduce the number of abandoned litters and ensure better long-term care for animals across the island.

Turner also highlights the importance of continued collaboration with Andersen Air Force Base, as part of an intergovernmental agreement aimed at enhancing animal welfare and control efforts.

“We also have a dog population management task force. There is an education and outreach subcommittee. So really tapping on them to help with the outreach component. Of course we work with our rescue groups too to be able to do that,” said Turner. 

Meantime, the community can be part of the solution by sterilizing their pets and staying educated. 

Together, Guam can create a healthier, more humane future for both animals and people.