The Tonga Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) has been busy providing much needed animal care advice since opening to the community last month in Nuku’alofa.

The society was formed by six animal lovers to promote and protect the animal's welfare as well as support people in the community who often don’t know where to go for help, advice or treatment for their animals.

While there is no qualified veterinary clinic in Tonga, there is a service provided through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries at the Tokomololo clinic where people can take their injured pets or livestock. The limited staff there also provide call out services.

In addition, New Zealand's South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) has been visiting Tonga a few times a year. However, this year's visits have been cancelled due to CoViD-19. This included a project for a mass dog de-sexing in March. The campaign was seeking to address Tonga’s dog population, now estimated at around 20,000.

Meanwhile, TAWS is filling a gap in animal care providing products such as flea and worming tablets. They also contact SPAW for advice on animal injuries, refer people to the Tokomololo clinic, and distribute food donated by some restaurants weekly to assist families to feed their dogs.

Education

To address the shortage of professional veterinary care, TAWS President, Salesi Fineanganofo, told Matangi Tonga that they are looking at scholarships overseas for people interested in a veterinary career in Tonga.

“Vets are not funded as it’s not seen as an essential service. In Tonga, they don’t see veterinary service as medically important or something to be proud of.”

“Veterinary [studies] is really hard to get into. It’s up there with medicine. At university, it is very competitive. But here we need to change that mind-set and get people to start thinking and it would really make a difference.”

Be kind to animals

Besides a need for vets in Tonga, there is also a need to educate the community on how to provide basic care for animals and to stop treating animals badly, particularly dogs, such as kicking and throwing stones at them.

TAWS Vice President, Angela Glover, said they are looking at a pilot education scheme for 10 GPS schools as a start aimed at 10, 11, and 12 year olds on how to care for animals in a fun and interesting way.

“For example, all animals need food daily, fresh water, to be kept in a safe environment free from fear and distress and that keeping them free from pain and injury will help keep them free of disease, which in turn will lead to a happier and healthier animal and human community.”

“If we can break the cycle earlier it will be beneficial for the community. So, it isn’t just about animals, it’s also promoting a safer community. And if that is successful, we want to talk to the Minister for Education & Training to try and introduce it to all schools.”

Salesi said it’s good to have early intervention because children can grow up with a caring nature for animals.

Fundraiser

TAWS is looking at raising funds with a sausage sizzle and fair on Friday 3 July starting at 10:00am outside the BSP bank in the CBD.

People who want to be more involved with TAWS can become members by joining. More details are available on the TAWS website [2].