Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care in Fiji

The Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care Project in Fiji is a great project for anyone who loves animals and wants to gain some practical experience. Whether you are a pre-university student considering a career in veterinary medicine, an undergraduate, a qualified vet or simply a passionate animal lover, you can get involved.

Volunteers work at the Fiji Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) in Suva, the capital of Fiji. The SPCA is a national animal welfare charity and has been caring for animals in Fiji since 1953. In the animal centre in Suva there is a small veterinary clinic, a welfare office and a shelter which aims to re-home abandoned dogs and cats.

As a Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care volunteer in Fiji you will provide an extra pair of hands. You may have the opportunity to get involved in vaccinations, operations, inspections, dog trapping and de-sexing programmes and the routine treatment of animals. Your level of involvement will of course depend on your skills and qualifications.

The veterinary doctors and nurses who work in the clinic will be able to share their knowledge and experience with you. By showing initiative and a willingness to get involved, you will be able to gain some truly valuable work experience, which will ultimately increase your prospects within this highly competitive field.

Volunteering on a Veterinary and Animal Care Placement

Volunteers working at the SPCA centre in Suva may get the opportunity to assist with the treatment of a range of animals (mainly domestic pets). You may learn how to handle animals and reassure their owners, you will observe how a diagnosis takes place and how inoculations are given, and may get to observe operations.

You will also assist with the general running of the animal centre. This will involve all areas of animal care at the kennels, such as feeding, training and exercise, bathing and grooming and the cleaning of the kennels themselves. You may be asked to assist with administrative tasks in the office, or help with marketing and fundraising at various public events, an area where they really need assistance. You may also help to plan and deliver educational talks in schools or at community events to help spread awareness about animal welfare. You will be expected to work 7-8 hours per day, and the occasional weekend.

You can join the Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care project in Fiji for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please, be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.