KAILA - The dawn of a new day seemed ordinary to the staff of SPCA in Nadi, but it was anything but. Early in the morning, at about 7.30a.m, Thursday, the 3rd of May, SPCA staff found a box dumped in their compound. To their horror, the box contained two puppies.
"It seemed that a disgruntled owner or person did not want anything to do with these puppies, so they were just thrown away" said Jasmine Rafiq, one of the six staff members to be present at the scene. A volunteer at the SPCA, Rafiq said that the situation was more serious than they had contemplated.
"One of the puppies had fur missing, and there were visible scars on its body, which could have resulted from physical abuse" she said. It was evident that the puppies had been treated badly, and while SPCA staff could not do anything to the people behind it, they focused their energy on providing a safe and positive atmosphere around the puppies.
"The fur was removed due to the pouring of some chemicals on the skin. Vet nurse Lynn Scott confirmed this to be mortien" Rafiq commented.
One of the puppies also had its tail cut off. To take care of the puppies and prevent infections from the chemicals, the puppies were bathed in medicated water, and the remaining fur had to be removed.
This act is just one of the countless inhumane acts done towards animals. In Fiji, SPCA is doing everything it can to educate people on how to provide the proper care for animals. The rising number of animal cruelty cases would be a very insignificant matter in the minds of most. However, it is because of the efforts of SPCA and PETA, and other organizations dealing with animal cruelty, that this problem is being curbed around the world.
Issues concerning animals are a serious matter, but with a lack of knowledge, some citizens feel the need the to do as they feel, making the problem even more serious.
Being the premier animals' rights organization in the country, SPCA feels that everyone needs to do their part in order to help animals. "In contrast to what we do, I feel that more can be done by the general public to ensure that animals get treated fairly and justly as well" Jasmine Rafiq said.
In doing their part, SPCA also has two vet nurses Lynn Scott and Susan Harris who are responsible for treating any illnesses or sicknesses acquired by animals present at the shelter, and is open on Saturdays, so that the general public can get regular checkups of their pets as well.
"We do this so that pets stay healthy in their homes, and this will make them stronger and healthier" she said
In addition to providing veterinary services, SPCA also has kittens and puppies up for adoption.
"The general public can do their part by adopting these little angels that will make a welcome addition to any household.
All we want is a loving and caring family to take in these kittens and puppies and provide them with a home.
I guess that if they are provided with the right care and affection, they should be happy" Jasmine Rafiq said