SPAW was invited to a hui with animal welfare management groups from across New Zealand on Thursday 10 July 2024 in Wellington. This group operates under the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), focusing on animal welfare and emergency responses during disasters. SPAW’s founder, Karen Schade, attended and shared her thoughts: “Attending this significant hui at HUHA’s…
“This marks my fourth volunteer journey with SPAW, having visited Tonga and Samoa twice each. My dedication to this cause stems from more than just the allure of an island destination; it’s not solely about enjoyment. Indeed, the experience is rewarding but also comes with its share of overwhelming moments, heartache, and strenuous effort. However,…
Laura is a Companion Animal Veterinarian at the Timau Veterinary Centre, New Zealand. She joined the SPAW clinic in Samoa in May 2024. Laura says: “This was my fourth trip with SPAW, but my first to Samoa. I thoroughly enjoy these trips, as experiencing a different culture and aiding the local animal population is rewarding. I…
Michelle is a Veterinary Nurse at Hunterville Vet Club who undertook her first trip for SPAW to Tonga in May. Michelle says: “From a young age, I’ve harboured a deep passion for animal health and welfare, which inspired my career as a veterinary nurse. A colleague frequently shared her experiences volunteering with SPAW and the…
Natalie Knight, a veterinary nurse at Warkworth Vets north of Auckland, completed her diploma in veterinary nursing at Auckland Unitec in 2010. She had long aspired to join a SPAW team and seized the opportunity in 2023 when a position opened at the Vava’u clinic. After a rewarding experience, she was eager to apply again…
SPAW and Unitec once again joined forces for a joint clinic in Tokomololo, Kingdom of Tonga, that saw more than 400 animals treated in December 2022. The team of five vets, five vet nurses and 12 vet nursing students from Unitec carried out 235 surgeries as well as consultations. SPAW Trustee Laura Harvey, who co-ordinates…
After two trips to the Kingdom of Tonga at the end of last year, we’re back with a full programme for 2023. We’re gearing up for seven clinics this year – Samoa and Tongatapu in May, Fiji in June and Tongatapu again in August. The Vava’u clinic in April had to be rescheduled to October…
SPAW is looking for volunteer vet and vet nurses to join us on our 2023 field clinics: Vava’u: Friday 14 – Saturday 22 April Samoa: Saturday 3 – Saturday 13 May Tongatapu: Saturday 20 – Saturday 27 May Fiji: Saturday 3 – Saturday 10 June Tongatapu: Friday 19 – Saturday 26 August SPAW Founder Karen…
SPAW returned to Tonga during October, our first trip to the South Pacific after nearly three years of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After suffering a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami earlier this year, it was critical that we made Tonga our first stop. During the trip SPAW worked with Host-a-Vet Vava’u to host…
Fourth out of 21 competitors is a pretty stellar effort for Siobhan Marshall who left Celebrity Treasure Island this week after competing for several weeks in the far north of New Zealand. Siobhan has long been a supporter of the SPAW organisation and we are very grateful to her – she has raised $10,000 for…
