Location Animals Fiji part-time clinic in Savusavu Animals - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Location Animals Fiji part-time clinic in Savusavu Animals Fiji main clinic in Nadi

Animals Fiji Background • Established in late 2011 purely as a fund-raising vehicle. • Animals Fiji officially commenced clinic operations in July 2012. • Supported by a fund-raising branch in NSW, Australia. • Permanent staff (full and part-time) has increased from 2, to 7 in 2 locations. • Also staffed by volunteer veterinary professionals and volun-tourism groups, professional members of the community & the Trustees.

Staff & Volunteers

Animals Fiji Nadi Clinic

Our role is 3-fold where-ever, whenever and how-ever we can! Welfare Private Shelter Services education Core business is Key goal is to spay and domestic animals neuter every animal we can

Animals Fiji Working Model

Current status of animal welfare in Fiji State of Crisis! • Archaic legislation, little enforcement. • No Government resources for domestic animals, very limited for large animals. • Only 4 permanent Veterinarians in the country. • No formal training available in the Pacific Islands. • Lack of public education.

Animals Fiji - Key Challenges Summary • Need for all-encompassing services • Lack of funding for Veterinarians & volunteer shortages • Premises restrictions • Poor regulatory environment • Lack of training for locals • Lack of education How to meet the challenges?

Meeting the Challenges! Regular Services • Attractive benefits for Volunteer Vets – Working holidays – Broad scope of medical conditions – Unique work environment – Mentoring opportunities • Volun-Tourism Partnerships – Projects Abroad

Meeting the Challenges cont… Out-Reach Services • Partnership Programs – Spay & Neuter Campaigns – Cégep de Sherbrooke (University in Quebec), Vet Ventures – Horse Care - Kiwi Care Team – Vaccination & general health care – SPAW • Operational relationship with Government – Rural Offices – Police Dog Program

Meeting the Challenges cont… Regulatory environment • Archaic, meager laws; submission to Budget • Reactive enforcement - almost no incidence of prosecution • Cultural barriers to enforcement; animals don’t have feelings. Awareness & education is the key

Meeting the Challenges cont… A note on paraquat poisoning: Widespread usage by Councils for culling of stray populations – TNR is the solution. Again, awareness & education is the key.

Awareness & Education The Poppy story Usage of social media; Facebook and website

Awareness & Education cont… • Local TV & print media - Monthly articles – The Jet - TV programs • Continued Government relationship building

Sustainability • Our concerns and reliability on donations • Hence our focus on commercial opportunities as well as other continual giving programs • Animals Fiji - Pet Spa Fiji product range

Going Forward As you can see, it has been an extremely busy and challenging opening year for Animals Fiji! Animals Fiji’s ultimate long term vision is to be able to provide free spay, neuter and general animal welfare services to the wider population in Fiji, via well- resourced Clinics in townships, and through regular outreach services in rural areas. In conjunction, we hope to be in a position where Animals Fiji is a model for Pacific Island Veterinary care solutions, and can therefore act as a training center for those interested in Veterinary care in the South Pacific.