Dr Cathy Pollock BVSc is a Veterinarian from Lyttleton. Cathy was one of our team leads on our March trips to Samoa and she shared her volunteer experience with us. “I was fortunate to participate in the SPAW Samoa clinic in March 2025. The field trip was my third with SPAW. Each time I have…
Dr Helen Roberts BVSc is a Veterinarian from Avondale in Auckland. Helen led our August 2024 team to Tongatapu and she shared her volunteer experience with us. “My passion for volunteering and animals began when I started volunteering at Orana Park Zoo in Christchurch during high school. In vet school, I spent a month with…
Animal Welfare Emergency Management training took place in Auckland this month. Gina Kemp from The Ministry for Primary Industries conducted the training, which saw participation from various welfare agencies and government representatives. The course was run with support from IFAW. The training aimed to equip participants with the skills to assist in providing animal welfare…
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…
