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Charlie's Fund

$2,000 donated

Given by 25 generous donors in 2 years

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Charlie was a very ill dog rescued from the streets of Tongatapu. This fund is in his memory.

International

When Charlie first came to our attention he was living on the streets of Tongatapu, scavenging for food scraps, searching for water and being very wary of humans. His large and disfigured head made him simultaneously conspicuous and invisable. Nobody wanted to look at Big Head. Nobody wanted to see him.

But one day, Angela and James Glover saw him and they didn’t turn away. They spent six weeks taking food to him on the street and trying to gain his trust. With no permanent veterinary services on the island, they contacted SPAW in New Zealand to seek advice on what could be wrong with him and how they might be able to help.

When SPAW visited Tonga in December 2017 Charlie was one of the first patients through the door. Angela and James had managed to befriend him and had picked him up off the street that morning.

When he arrived at the clinic Charlie was in a terrible state. His head was so swollen that he had trouble seeing. His skin was scabbed, his coast was dull, and he was riddled with fleas and intestinal worms. But even though he had endured such neglect, Charlie still had room in his heart for love and trust.

Charlie’s life changed dramatically that day.

Not only did he feel better, he also found a new home with Angela and James. From that point, Charlie didn’t have to live in fear on the streets. He no longer had to look for a safe bed or scavenge for a meal and most importantly, he was free from pain.

to Read more about Charlie and this fund go to www.spaw.org.nz/charliesfund

About us

South Pacific Animal Welfare is a NZ based charity.

We provide veterinary care and related services to animals living in island communities in the South Pacific. New Zealand run and managed, SPAW is often the only life-line of hope for animals who are injured, abused or sick and a major contributor to reducing the stray dog and cat populations by providing regular desexing clinics.

SPAW recruits veterinarians and veterinary nurses from New Zealand, Australia and around the world to deliver free veterinary services to the islands of Tonga (Tongatapu, Vava’u, Nomuka, Eu'a), Fiji (Taveuni), Samoa (Savai’i), Nuie and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

SPAW volunteers are often the only veterinary professionals an island community will see and it is our hope that by being present and fostering positive animal welfare activities, over time, people will display higher levels of compassion for all animals.

Our services include desexing small animals, specifically dogs and cats, surgical procedures, health checks, vaccinations, parasite control treatments and livestock care to as many animals as we can reach during a community clinic and remote village/field locations.