CLOSE to 1000 people turned up for the Tim Howick-Smith 1000 Paws Walk yesterday, organised by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at the Albert Park Car Park, with more than 80 pet dogs registered to take part in the event.
The event is in memory of Tim Howick Smith who was passionate for ending cruelty to animals and his love for dogs translated to an enduring support for the work carried out by the SPCA, until he was called to rest in January, 2020.
SPCA Clinic and Shelter manager Shaneel Narayan said the main goal for the event was to create awareness around shelter and stray dogs.
“The event was put together by us and we’ve included different dog clinics, different animal products are available and the Ministry of Agriculture as well,” Mr Narayan said.
“The main concept of the program is to educate people around shelter dogs and strays.
“We had 80 dogs registered and 10 SPCA shelter dogs present and I’m glad because there’s a lot of education and awareness going on.
“The dogs partook in a 1km walk around the park with their owners, and then walkathons to fundraise.”
Mr Narayan said stray dogs have become a problem in many communities which was why people should make sure their dogs are being confined in their own compounds and not disturb the public.
“A lot of people own dogs, but they don’t keep them in their own compounds,” he said.
“Stray dogs are a big problem in Fiji as a whole and it’s not just them, it’s also the owned roaming dogs.
“We encourage the people to de-sex their pets, keep their pets inside their own compounds and if you see stray dogs, try and get them de-sexed as well.”
