SOUTH Pacific Animal Welfare are pleased to be visiting Tonga to provide free volunteer veterinary services to the community.

SPAW is working with the Ministry of Agriculture collaboratively to benefit animal health in Tonga. We thank Mr Otenili Pifelete and Mr Mika Saipaia for their assistance.

South Pacific Animal Welfare's volunteer veterinary team arrive in Tonga on 3 February 2011. The veterinarians will be providing free veterinary care which is available to everyone. We especially want to de-sex dogs and cats but will also bring parasite care for fleas and worms for dogs and cats.

De-sexing your pet is a positive thing to do both in terms of their health and to stop unwanted puppies and kittens being born. Puppies and kittens can be de-sexed from just 8 weeks old. De-sexing is quite safe and the veterinary team are very experienced with surgical procedures. Untreated parasites (fleas, worms) can not only negatively impact your animals, but also pass on to your children and family. We have the medicines to treat your animals for parasites, skin infections and other ailments too.

We recommend everyone with sick animals who want to make them better make use of this vet visit. We also hope local people with dogs that are breeding (having puppies) visit us to have them desexed. This will make life a lot easier for you and the animals. Desexed animals are a lot less likely to fight and cause problems in your neighbourhood.

SPAWs team includes three Veterinarians with accompanying Vet Nurses from NZ, Australia and the UK.

The clinic will run from Monday 7 February for the full month with the team visiting Vava'u for five days during the month.

Our team will help with:
De-sexing cats, dogs, puppies and kittens (from 8 weeks old)
Provide flea and worm treatments for cats and dogs
Treatment for eye and ear infections
Treatment for infections and bad skin problems (scratching & loss of hair)

If your dog or cat looks sick, bring it to the vet, we will help you and the animal.

Anyone wanting to utilise this service should contact:

Mr Mika Saipaia at the Ministry facility on Tongatapu. South Pacific Animal Welfare, 31/01/11.