RSPCA of PNG Monthly Newsletter

Mega

Aggreko

Anne Ames and Lindsay Jorgensen

API Buildings

Black Cat

Boroko Motors

Moore Printing

SBS Electrical

The National

Major

Express Freight Management

Seafast

Airways Hotel

Alpha Insurance

Supporter

Aspermont

Australian Volunteer International

BOC Papua New Guinea

Corporate Niugini Transport

Cybermaster

Dulux

Dunlop Tyres

Ela Motors

Haus Ples

LCS Electrical and Mechanical

Pure Water

Starland Freezer

Supporter in Kind

FAB Catering

Kiwi Club

Lamana Hotel

Legend FM

madNess Photography

Market 2000

Media Partners

Pacific Legal Group

PNG Air

Port Moresby Nature Park

Proclean

South Pacific Software Services

Strickland Maintenance

Theodist

TNT

VC Info Tech

RSPCA 2019 Sponsors and Supporters

We are proud to acknowledge our sponsors & supporters for 2019

L ONGEST L UNC H RAISES K 40, 000. 00 FOR OUR EDUCATION AND ADOPTI ON PROGRAMS

27th March, 2019

Inside this month’s issue:

Adoption & Education Program Page 2

Pound News: what happens to stray animals we collect Page 3

Clinic News - meet our team Page 4

T he RSPCA of PNG, with the support of the wonderful management

and staff of the Airways Hotel hosted another successful Longest

Lunch, on Sunday 24th of February. This is the 4th year we hosted the

event. Ticket sales and the money raised during the event, through auc-

tions and donations and raffle ticket sales, all go toward supporting the

operating costs of our shelter, our animal welfare campaigns.

Last year’s Lunch raised enough to purchase our then top 5 items from

our wish list. This year’s event raised K40, 766.00.

Major sponsor for the event, Airways Hotel, again wowed attendees by

hosting the lunch in a secret location and this time with a ‘Greek’ theme.

Apart from the venue, Airways Hotel also donated raffle prizes as they

have for past events. Other supporters of for the event included PNG Air

and Tufi Resort, Moore Printing, House of Gemini, Port Moresby Nature

Park, St. John Ambulance, Anne Ames and Lindsay Jorgensen and the

Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We also extend our

warmest gratitude to Vanessa Kerton who did a sensational job as auc-

tioneer during the event (as she always does).

Pictured: RSPCA Education Program

presenter, Zecharia Singut (in green scrub)

holds ‘Wantok’ whilst a student helps to

bandage his injured paw.

Purchasing tickets to the Longest Lunch or

donating toward our fundraising will enable

the RSPCA to continue to run our education

program.

On average, our education program reaches 10,000 students per year. The program

started in 2010 and is well received by students and teachers alike.

Funds raised from the event go to supporting our adoption

program and our education

program. On average we pick

up a handful of stray dogs off

the streets per week.

RSPCA CHARITY GOLF DAY / 26TH APRIL /

REGISTER NOW / K3,000.00 PER TEAM

Page 2

RSPCA of PNG Monthly Newsletter

Adopt. If you can’t adopt, foster. If you can’t foster, sponsor. If you can’t sponsor, volunteer. If you can’t volunteer, donate. If you can’t donate, educate. To make a contribution, contact Hellen or Brigitte on rspca@rspca.org.pg

Educ at io n P rog ram st ar ts o f f f or th e ye ar

DOG ADOPTION DRIVE HELPS 21 DOGS FIND GOOD HOMES

Overcrowding in kennels is a common problem faced by many shelters all over the

world. This issue forces many shelters to put into place policies about how long a

dog or cat can stay in a shelter kennel.

We are not immune to this problem and over the years have tried different ways

to rehome as many animals as we possibly can.

In January, we had a dog adoption drive. We reduced our adoption fee to K75.00.

We were able to rehome 21 out of the 48 dogs, a result which is an increase from

our average rate of adopting out 6 dogs per month.

Some of the challenges we face in re-homing animals include the perception held

by many citizens that pure breeds or pedigree breeds make better pets than ‘local

breeds’ also known as ‘PNG Specials’.

Our education team will strive to inform the general public that pets on our

adoption program are vaccinated and desexed.

Our education program officially started in mid-February with

a school visit to the Ela Murray Primary School.

Our program’s ambassador and mascot, ‘Wantok’, had the

pleasure of entertaining 45 students.

The team later visited Southbridges Pre-School and Zion Zeal

Primary School during February. We will continue to contact

schools within the NCD for the opportunity to bring our

message to them.

We aim to extend our education program to vocational

schools, high schools and churches this year. With funding,

we would be able to bring our program to the rest of the

country.

If you know of any organisations (big or small) or groups you

would like for our team to talk to, please contact us at the

RSPCA Vet Clinic.

Education Department recognises our program

We are thrilled to announce that the Department of

Education, NCD Division of Education Services has

recognized our valuable contribution.

This was stated in a letter we received from the De-

partment late last year.

This is a huge achievement for our charity and we are

delighted to have the department’s continued support

and approval.

We also acknowledge the on-going support we have

received from the NCD schools we have visited since

we launched our program in 2010.

Our education program teaches about the five basic

freedoms for all creatures, great and small.

Five basic freedoms for animals:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst;

2. Freedom from discomfort;

3. Freedom from injury, pain and disease;

4. Freedom to express normal behaviour, and

5. Freedom from fear and distress

Help us prevent cruelty to animals. You can help by:

1. Telling your family members, friends and colleagues

about the five basic freedoms,

2. Report any cases of cruelty you witness. Reports can

be made to the RSPCA Vet Clinic to our Officers

under the Act. Officers will investigate the matter as

soon as possible.

STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY

I need you. Please help me!

Pictured above: our education program

mascot and ambassador, ‘Wantok’ (the

puppet) is pictured greeting a young boy

outside our clinic. Wantok and the team

have started our out-reach into the

schools.

On average we reach between 400 and

600 students per month. We are

delighted to have the support of the

Education Department.

THANK YOU

MEDIA PARTNERS

For Wantok’s Wagon.

You guys are Awesome.

RSPCA of PNG Monthly Newsletter

Page 3

WHAT HAPPENS TO STRAY ANIMALS WE PICK UP

AND BRING TO THE ANIMAL POUND?

The RSPCA of PNG encourages responsible

pet ownership and urges all pet owners in

the National Capital District to ensure that:

Your pet dogs are registered. The an-

nual fee is K10.00. Registration can be

done at the RSPCA Vet Clinic, located

on the corner of Kunai Street and Wai-

gani Drive, Hohola.

Your pet dog(s) has a secure collar on

at all times.

Your pet dog(s) are securely kept with-

in your property and not roaming on

the street. Any dog found roaming on

the street and without a collar or a tag

on can be collected and impounded.

Your pet dog(s) are provided with adequate

food, water and shelter. If pet owners are

found to be negligent, you may be fined and

can be imprisoned.

We also urge pet owners to have your pets de-

sexed. One of the main benefits of having your pet

desexed is that you don’t have to worry about

having unwanted puppies. There are also health

benefits for your pet and we urge you to put the

myths about desexing to rest by discussing these

with our vets.

Did you know?

The Animals Act of 1952, Section 79 (1) states the

following:

- Dog owners must register every dog.... Failure to

do so is an offence.

- If owners do not provide animals in their

care with adequate food, water and shel-

ter then they are guilty of an offence.

Offenders may be fined and can be im-

prisoned.

- Animals wandering loose on the streets

can be collected by authorized Pound

representatives. Animals collected are

taken to the Pound where animals can be

reclaimed by owners once fees have been

settled.

period.

All animals on our adoption program are

vaccinated, spay/neutered and treated

medically for internal and external para-

sites. This cost is covered by the RSPCA and

comes to an estimated total of K1,500.00

per animal. Despite the high cost involved

in caring for one animal, our adoption fee

is only K130.00.

The RSPCA makes all efforts to give an

animal his/her second chance at life. When

we have volunteers available, they assist

with socialising and exercising the dogs in

the yard.

What happens to dogs who are not cleared

for adoption? Unfortunately, the majority

of animals taken in are unwanted and

neglected and have medical problems. For

many, humane euthanasia is the only

option to end their suffering.

In the coming newsletters, we will discuss

why strays exist and what happens to dogs

who are kept in shelters for long periods of

time. We will also discuss how responsible

pet ownership can help to reduce the

number of stray dogs (and cats) we have in

our communities.

themselves. They can also be a cause for spread of dis-

ease and infections.

How does our dog collection team determine that an

animal is a stray?

Although there is no statutory definition of a stray dog,

the RSPCA defines it "as one that is in a public place and

not under the charge of a keeper". Even a dog that ap-

pears well cared for and healthy will be collected as a

stray if in a public place and not under supervision. A

dog becomes a stray when it does not have a person in

charge of it and it is wandering at large in a public place

or a non-public place where it is not permitted to be.

We also look for means of identification such as wheth-

er the dog is wearing a collar that may identify who he/

she belongs to and whether there is a council tag

attached to his/her collar. If we find a dog with a dog

collar on, we do our best to locate the owner.

During the dog collection, members of the public are

curious to know what happens to a stray dog when he/

she is picked up by our team.

Here is a brief account of what takes place. Upon arrival

at the pound, the dog will be placed in our quarantine

area for a duration of two weeks. Whilst in quarantine,

the dog is treated to a medical check-up and an assess-

ment is made on his/her behaviour and temperament.

Once the dog gets the all clear, he/she is put up for

adoption, which is after the two weeks quarantine

Respons ib le pet ownership i s everyone’s respons ib i l i ty

In an on-going successful working part-

nership with the National Capital Dis-

trict Commission, we continue to man-

age the Port Moresby Animal Pound.

The pound is located on Varahe Street,

in the Gordons Industrial area. At the

time of writing, the pound is a tempo-

rary home to 28 dogs. It is manned by

a pound coordinator and two kennel

hands.

Part of our function is the collection of

stray dogs. Stray dogs are a problem

and we are determined to reduce the

number of strays. Our solution is to

educate our citizens about responsible

pet ownership and to help stray ani-

mals by giving them a second chance

at life.

A dog that is loose or escapes into a

public place and is not under close

supervision can be a menace. A stray

dog will foul, can be aggressive and in

some circumstances may attack peo-

ple. They may also cause road acci-

dents, worry livestock and injure

In December of 2018, with assistance from our good friends at Ela Motors, we were able to

carry out awareness on Fisherman Island.

Acting upon complaints we had received over the state of dogs (poor health and behavioural

issues) residing on Fisherman Island, our team members visited the area and spoke with villagers

about responsible pet ownership, the basic rights of animals. The team was also able to carry

out a survey on people’s attitudes towards animals and their welfare.

During the initial visit, a handful of adult dogs and puppies were collected and brought back to

the clinic for treatment.

Earlier this month, two of the dogs were returned to the villagers on the island. Below are

pictures of a happy reunion for the fur baby we named Leches:

Before surgery

RSPCA of PNG

management & sta f f

Animal Health and Welfare Division

Dr. Jessica Hoopes - Practice Manager

Dr. Julius Bautista - Veterinarian

Dr. Clara Chin - Veterinarian

Suanhilda Ao Kursi - Senior Vet Nurse

Natasha Kari - Vet Nurse

Rebecca Nakau - Trainee Vet Nurse

Litian Daniels - Trainee Vet Nurse

Simon Kenas - Trainee Vet Nurse

Pius Nauro - Kennel Hand (Clinic)

Jimmy Bill - Pound Coordinator

Tani - Kennel Hand (Pound)

Lucas Wingti - Kennel Hand (Pound)

Administrative and Operations Division

Johnny Kasom - Operations Manager

Eunice Kanamabae - Admin Assistant

Ruth Peande - Accounts Officer

David Gui - Admin Driver

Paulo Mahoney - Admin/Dog Collection Driver

Tina Joe - Cleaner

Albert John - Security Guard

Buka Poro - Security Guard

Community Relations Division

Brigitte Baki-Ta’u - Community Relations and

Communications Coordinator

Janice McNawara - Casual teacher (Education)

Zecharia Singut - Casual teacher (Education)

Immanuel Nindivi - Casual teacher (Education)

Clinic operating hours for 2019

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Saturday: 9:00am - 11:00am

To make an appointment please contact our customer

service officers on 325 2363/7198 2200 or send an email to:

reception1@rspca.org.pg /rspca@rspca.org.pg

We are open all day Monday to Friday for counter sales and

half day on Saturday.

Over the counter sales applies to pet accessories, shampoos,

cat litter, etc. Please note that vaccinations and medications

will only be provided after consultation and with a

prescription from the vet.

The journey home for Leches was made possible with

the support of Ela Motor, who

provided the boat to

take the team out to

Fisherman Island

What started out as a

day filled with stress

and anxiety, Leches

was overjoyed to be

welcomed back by her family on

the island.

Adopt A Pet & Get A Friend For Life.

These fur babies urgently need homes. Please adopt and save their lives.

Sundi

Patti

Tuwok Russia Ganache

Meringue

Malaysia

Honda