The Ministry of Agriculture has met with veterinary organizations and stakeholders to determine long-term solutions towards the country’s stray dog issue.
During the meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Raiwaqa, the objectives of the current intensive 8-week stray dog control campaign were highlighted.
The current approach of increased awareness on stray dogs and its related laws would take precedence during the campaign through the provision of awareness material as the need for an informed public was essential to curbing stray dog numbers.
Current approaches also include door-to-door licensing enforcement and registration, trapping, re-homing and adoption as it was recognized that stray dogs were a national issue and would require the cooperation of all stakeholder to address.
The stray-dog campaign is recognized as a short-term strategy in addressing the stray dog issue with commitments reiterated by all stakeholders that animal welfare would not be compromised during the campaign.
The support of veterinary organizations was also assured during the meeting through immediate veterinary assistance to help assess trapped dogs health status and temperament, which the SPCA already assists with, the re-homing and adoption option for eligible dogs and neutering of dogs within Nadi and Lautoka areas for the foreseeable future.
Discussions also focused on the observance of maintained animal welfare standards during the campaign, with consensus reached that dogs deemed unsuitable for re-homing options or other logistical reasons such as lack of shelter space upon capture, be euthanized.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Vet Essentials in Lami, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Animals Fiji, PASH Fiji, and the Fiji Police Force.