Thursday 22 October 2013, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji - Kennels at the Fiji Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Suva received a recent makeover, thanks to the fundraising and volunteer efforts of The Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Applied Geoscience (SOPAC) Division social club.
The SOPAC social club organized an employee work-a-thon to put a fresh coat of paint on the SPCA pens and, at the same time, raise money for this good cause.
At an employee assembly on October 2nd, the SOPAC division presented a charitable donation of FJ$1000 raised by staff to the SPCA.
SPCA’s Public Relations Officer and Kennel Manager, Irava Raki, expressed her gratitude for the donation and the work carried out by the SOPAC team. ‘It was so great to brighten the dog cages with bright colours. It makes a big difference to the animals,’ she said. ‘Some people think animals don’t have feelings or notice their environment, but they really do!’
SOPAC staff tapped into their creative talents during the work-a-thon, covering the freshly-painted walls with paw prints, bones and other animal-friendly designs. ‘As members of the SPC family, we support our Pacific community, so it was good to be able to lend a hand to another important organisation which also strives to care for part of that community,’ said John Tagiilima, President of the SOPAC division social committee as he addressed the crowd gathered for the ceremony.
‘SPCA relies on donations to carry out our work,’ reported Ms Raki. She indicated that the funds raised would go toward the rehabilitation of SPCA’s operating room and desexing of some animals currently housed in the facility.
‘Once these animals are desexed, we hope they will be adopted by people who will care for them,’ said Ms Raki.
The Fiji Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals is Fiji’s only animal welfare charity and has been caring for the animals of Fiji since 1953. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is an international organisation, working in partnership with many countries and sectors to help Pacific Island people achieve sustainable development.
For more information, contact Molly Powers (tel: +679 338 1377; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
