ABOUT 19 crew members from the visiting US Coast Guard Cutter Mellon visited the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Walu Bay, Suva yesterday.
The visit was part of the crew’s social community engagement program where the crew members interacted with animals, giving dogs baths and cleaning the site.
SPCA co-chair Seema Deo said a group of US Navy personnel also visited the SPCA last year and conducted various activities involving the animals.
“Last year they came and fixed the fence at the back and did a bit of house cleaning for us. It’s actually very exciting to have a team of very exciting young people who want to come out here and look after the animals. It’s really heartwarming,” Ms Deo said.
“Hopefully we can encourage local people to come and volunteer as well.”
US Coast Guard Cutter Mellon crew member and petty officer Carl Weaver said they were happy to help out with the community in the country.
“Animal welfare is just the extension of human being welfare,” he said.
“You should be looking after everyone who deserves to be cared for. I think human relation is important and we should be taking care of one another. So that’s why we thought it was important working here with SPCA. It’s beautiful here. I love working with SPCA.”
Crew members from the ship will visit the children’s ward and also clean up the Gethsemane Garden at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva today.
