Compassion isn’t limited to people; it should be a way of life. Small acts of kindness can transform Fiji into a more gentle, loving place.
When I received the invitation from the SPCA, I didn’t hesitate—I said yes right away. Even though I don’t have a pet right now, I’ve always loved dogs. So I was keen to understand how I could serve both the SPCA and the animals they care for.
The SPCA Walk was a small event, but it left a big impression on me. I met people who care deeply — not only about animals, but about the kind of society we’re building. One of the volunteers told me something heartbreaking. Many dogs brought in are poisoned. This often happens because municipal councils use sprays to control strays. That broke my heart. These animals are not just strays; they are companions — living beings who depend on our compassion and protection.
As I walked alongside families and volunteers, I noticed something beautiful — the way animals respond to kindness. They don’t understand our language, but they understand when we treat them with love. I realised that when we show kindness to animals, it changes us too. It makes our hearts softer, our communities gentler, and our world kinder.
The SPCA is a safe space — not only for animals, but for people who want to make a difference. One woman shared with me that after losing her job during COVID, she found hope again by volunteering there. The SPCA has become her new purpose — proof that serving others, even animals, can heal us too.
Help to fund kindness
They have to be very creative to be able fund the work of caring for animals. When youre next at a community market like The Roc Market, youll find them selling merchandise, running cuddle tents (yes, for just $5, you can cuddle a dog!), and setting up stalls at market days. These are small but powerful acts that keep their doors open and their mission alive.
All faiths remind us to be kind — to love, to protect, and to show mercy. The walk was a reminder of the responsibility God gives us to be responsible for all living things and the world we inhabit. Everything around us—people, animals, and the environment—depends on how well we honour that responsibility.
“Kindness is our shared duty—to each other, to animals, and to the earth itself.”
If we are kind to our companions — to our animals, to our environment, and to one another — then our society will be a better place to live in, because it will be built on protection, love, and grace.
The SPCA’s 1000 Paws was a celebration of compassion in action. It brought together pet owners, animal lovers, and volunteers from across Fiji. From the morning walk to the lively Pet Show, the event was filled with joy, laughter, and love. It was inspiring to see families and children come together to raise awareness about animal care and to celebrate the bond between people and their pets.
The event reminded us that kindness is contagious. When communities unite around empathy and respect for all living things, we build not just safer spaces for animals, but a gentler, more caring Fiji.
Supporting the SPCA is more than helping animals — it’s about nurturing compassion in our hearts and communities. Contact me to find out how you can help them because kindness to animals is kindness to others. And every small act of care brings us one step closer to the world we all hope to live in. 🐾
By Rhyelle Aisea, Miss Hibiscus 2025
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