Volunteer stories: Letitia Saunders

I first felt inspired to volunteer with SPAW after seeing a video of Angela Glover helping Big Head – a homeless dog she and the SPAW team had helped. Angela’s compassion stayed with me and in 2020, at 21, I booked my first volunteer trip to Tonga. Meeting Angela and seeing her dedication first hand was unforgettable.

Angela tragically passed away in the 2022 Tonga tsunami while trying to save her dogs, and I feel privileged to have met her. While volunteering in Samoa, I often thought about her and that video that sparked everything for me. Her kindness and commitment motivated me to give back too, and I hope I can make even a small difference, just as she did.

The June 2026 trip to Samoa was my second field trip with SPAW (my first to Samoa) so I knew island life could be unpredictable, but I was excited to see how animal care in Samoa had progressed. What stood out immediately was how healthy many of the animals were and how much their owners cared. There’s still a long way to go, but it was inspiring to see the impact of SPAW’s ongoing work.

My team quickly became like family. We came from different backgrounds, but long days in the heat brought us close, and by the end I cried saying goodbye. The Samoan people were incredibly patient and grateful – some waited all day without complaint because they truly cared about their animals. The local women who volunteered with us were amazing too; their help meant we could treat far more animals than we could have on our own.

The little moments with the community reminded me to slow down and appreciate life beyond the rush of Melbourne. And I have to acknowledge Leigh and Tino from APS, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their dedication kept everything running smoothly and made our work possible.

Being part of this clinic was a privilege, and it reminded me why this work matters so much. There were so many special moments on this trip, but what stayed with me most was helping the mum dogs and cats who still had babies feeding from them. Knowing that desexing them meant a healthier future was incredibly rewarding. And of course, the puppies were a highlight – sweet, calm and full of personality. They made the long, hot days feel lighter.

I was amazed by how resilient the animals were. After surgery and recovery, many were already up and heading home on the back of a ute as if nothing had happened. Some of my favourite memories were actually outside the clinic – riding through the villages each morning and afternoon, waving to people who always greeted us with smiles. It felt surreal and so special. If you are thinking of volunteering, just do it. The experience will stay with you for a lifetime.