BY ASHTOSH SINGH
Animals Fiji announced that in conjunction of its first anniversay of operations, a team of 3 Veterinary professionals from the NZ-based South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) organisation is in Fiji for a week conducting free animal vaccinations, consultations and welfare treatments in villages in the Nadi area and at Taqaqe Village on the Coral Coast of Sigatoka.
These clinics mark the first time that SPAW has affiliated itself with a Fiji-based Animal Welfare organisation to provide services, although other Pacific Island countries have benefited from their assistance in the past.
This partnership is also the first time Animals Fiji have joined in with an international animal welfare organisation to provide free domestic animal welfare services in rural areas and we hope that this series of clinics will pave the way for Fiji to be an ongoing receipient of SPAW’s services and donations.
Animals Fiji is also piloting a partnership with USA based Vet Ventures who will be coming to Fiji for the first time in October to conduct free de-sexing/ neutring clinics in rural areas.
Animals Fiji, based in Martintar, Nadi is the only organisation in Fiji currently providing animal welfare services out side of the Suva area, and as such are strongly reliant on developing these international partnerships, and on international donors of medications to enable us to provide services – including trying to reduce stray and roaming animal populations – to the wider population of Fiji.
No Government funding is currently allocated for domestic animal welfare, resources are limited for the animal production industry, and City and Town Council allocation is minimal where it exists.