After weeks of reaching out for public support and persistent efforts with the Veterinarians Surgeons Board of Belize, SAGA Humane Society was informed that Dr. Laura J. Henckel has finally been granted a conditional temporary license to provide veterinary services at SAGA’s Veterinary Clinic. The temporary license is valid until September 30th 2010.
Dr. Lauren Henkel has been working in Las Crusas, New Mexico for the past year and a half as a veterinarian. She is a long time lover of San Pedro and has visited the island over six times in the past fifteen years. Dr. Henckel is excited that she can finally start to contribute to the island and its residents though her work at the SAGA Humane Society’s Veterinary Clinic. More than for a salary, Dr. Henkel stresses that her interest in working with the SAGA Humane Society stems from her genuine love of animals as she herself is the proud owner of five pets.
The Board of Directors of SAGA Humane Society stated to the The San Pedro Sun, “We are thrilled that we were at least issued a short term temporary license for now so that we can fully run the Clinic. The petition and community support for SAGA definitely played a part in this and so we thank the community wholeheartedly for its help. SAGA is currently waiting to receive some guidance and clarification from the Veterinary Surgeons Board on certain terms of the license and will exercise its best judgment in the interim. SAGA will continue to advocate for the Board to issue SAGA’s vet a permanent, unrestricted license so that SAGA can be financially sound and available to help all those in the community that need our services. We appeal to the community to continue to support us in this effort as well.”
The SAGA Humane Society and Veterinary Clinic is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. On Saturdays, SAGA is open from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. In addition to veterinary services, SAGA is available to render assistance with adoptions, surrenders, abuse/neglect reports and other animal issues. SAGA’s Clinic is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information and to make an appointment, please call 226-3266.