AN eight -members group of volunteers from the South Pacific Animal Welfare SPAW are finishing off a month long animal care clinics that was launched after they arrived in Tonga on February 7.

During the SPAW clinics at the Village Clinic, Ha'ateiho, they de-sexed well over one hundred cats and dogs, they treated about forty animals, and applied euthanasia on four dogs, three were in very bad condition after being hit by vehicles on the road, and a one was severely attacked by hook worms. In addition all the animals that were brought to the SPAW clinics were given a four month supply of treatment for worms and flees, to last them until the group return in May.

Karen Galvin, the founder of SPAW and the leader of the group said that all the services and the treatment they gave were for free, though they welcome any donation from the public.

The team is made up of three veterinarians and four veterinarian nurses, all women from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

"This is our first visit to Tonga, and we want this project to last, and to be successful." Karen said that besides offering free services they also would like to develop a good working relation with their local counterparts. "It has been great, Mika, Mote and Nau have been working with us since we arrived."

The SPAW do not offer their services in every South Pacific island countries, only where animal care services are not readily or freely available.

Mika Saipala from the Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture said that allocation in the Ministry's budget for the treatment of animal against worm is about $10,000 per annum, and that is not even enough for the treatment of animal for human consumption such as cows, goats and pigs, so pet animals are not catered for. He said that is why his ministry is very supportive of the initiative by SPAW.

With regards to the general health of Tonga's domesticated animals.

Karen said that a national survey on the health of domesticated animals in Tonga has not been carried out, but worms appeared to be a threat, particularly with the Tongan life style of free roaming animals, and through their feces worms could be easily transmitted to human.

"Good animal husbandry, catering for the security and the need of animals is fundamental," said Karen and stressed that the basic need of animals are water, food and a shelter.

Dr Bethan Cosgrove one of the veterinarians with the group said that the treatment of animal for human consumption such as pigs is vital, "because even after it is cooked, it would not kill all the worms, and meat with worms can be transferred to human."

Bethan is English who was on a working holiday in Australia when she heard of the SPAW program to Tonga, and she offered her service.