SPCA Urges Public to Think Twice Before Removing Newborn Animals

The SPCA Fiji Islands is urging members of the public to carefully assess situations before removing newborn animals, warning that well-intentioned rescues can sometimes do more harm than good.

In a recent advisory, the organisation said it has seen an increase in people picking up newborn animals and bringing them to shelters, believing they have been abandoned. However, in many cases, the mother is still actively caring for her young.

The SPCA says mother animals often leave briefly to search for food and will return, while others may be in the process of relocating their babies to a safer place.

“Newborn animals have a much higher chance of survival with their mother,” the organisation said. “Removing them unnecessarily can put them at serious risk.”

The SPCA is encouraging the public to observe from a distance first and allow time for the mother to return before intervening.

At the same time, the organisation acknowledged and thanked those who take the time to check on vulnerable animals rather than ignoring them, saying community compassion plays an important role in animal welfare.

The SPCA also noted that images shared with such advisories may sometimes be for reference only, and in some cases, the animals pictured have already been safely rehomed.