Where There Are No Vets: Lauren Cabrera’s Mission to Save Island Animals

On a small Pacific island surrounded by turquoise seas and lush jungle, a quiet revolution in animal care is underway. It’s not being led by a seasoned veterinarian or a global NGO—but by Lauren Cabrera, a former Miss Vermont whose love for animals and relentless spirit are transforming the lives of thousands of pets in one of the most remote parts of the United States.

Saipan, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, is a U.S. territory—but unlike the mainland, it lacks one crucial service: a resident veterinarian. For years, sick, injured, and stray animals have had few options for medical care. That changed when Lauren arrived.

On an island of 167,000 people, an estimated 60,000 dogs roam the streets. Many of them, known as "boonie dogs," are the descendants of military canines brought to the region during World War II. Affectionately described as a "lovely random mix" of breeds, these intelligent, resilient dogs had no safety net—no shelters with space, no adoption programs, and, most critically, no full-time veterinarian to provide care.

"I didn’t come here to become a vet," she says, "but when there’s no one else, you either turn away—or you show up.”

And show up she did.

From Humans to Animals: A Life Reimagined

Lauren’s journey began far from island shores. After graduating from nursing school in 2011 and becoming a nurse practitioner in 2015, she completed a fellowship in palliative care in New York City. She was settled, successful—and on a well-traveled path. But fate had other plans.

In 2012, during a solo hike in Maine, she met someone who was moving to Saipan. Intrigued, she joined the adventure. What started as a spontaneous move became a defining moment.

"At first, I was completely overwhelmed," she says. "I missed the convenience of the mainland. I even moved back to the U.S. for a bit, but I realized I had made a mistake. My heart was on the island—with the animals.”

Creating What Didn't Exist

Recognizing the desperate need for veterinary care, Lauren founded the Saipan Humane Society, the only organization providing comprehensive animal health services to the island’s 6,000+ pets annually. With no veterinarians on staff, Lauren became a de facto animal healthcare provider—researching, learning, collaborating with off-island vets, and doing everything she could to save lives.

From administering vaccines and treating parasites to managing shelter euthanasia and tackling overpopulation, she filled every gap. “People often assume there’s a vet clinic nearby—but here, even getting flea and tick medicine is a challenge,” she says.

Grit, Rescue, and a Dog-Loving Army

As if building a clinic from scratch wasn’t enough, Lauren also launched the Boonie Flight Project, a dog rescue and relocation initiative. Since 2021, it’s flown nearly 700 "boonie dogs" from Saipan and Guam to new homes on the mainland U.S.

She’s also the Director of the National Pre-Vet Club, mentoring aspiring veterinarians across the country—many of whom are inspired by her unconventional, impact-driven journey.

A Leap of Faith—and the Future of Veterinary Medicine

This fall, Lauren takes another bold step: she started veterinary school this year at Washington State University, leaving her family behind in Saipan.

"It was agonizing to leave nursing. I had a great job, stability, everything. But the animals needed me. And I realized—I needed them, too."

Her goal? To become Saipan’s first female resident veterinarian, bringing permanent, professional care to the island’s animals—and creating a model for other underserved communities around the world.

In five years, she sees herself where she is now—only better equipped. “Same island. Same mission. Just a little more knowledge and a lot more tools to help.”

A Different Kind of Depth

There’s one more thing you should know about Lauren Cabrera: she can freedive to 110 feet without oxygen.

That same breath-holding calm, physical strength, and mental focus have guided her through the depths of uncertainty and into the heart of a calling she never expected.

In a world that often forgets its forgotten corners, Lauren Cabrera is a force of change, compassion, and courage—one paw print at a time.