Urgent Appeal: Help the GSPCA Replace Two Essential Animal Ambulances

The GSPCA is launching an urgent appeal for support to help replace two of its hardworking Animal Ambulances, which have been at the heart of rescuing and transporting animals across Guernsey for many years.

Our main Animal Ambulance, a specially adapted Nissan NV200, has now travelled over 130,000 miles since it was generously funded through the 2013 Itex Rotary Walk. Over more than a decade, the vehicle has been on call day and night, helping thousands upon thousands of animals in need.

From rescuing seal pups and transporting stranded dolphins, to helping injured sea turtles, abandoned pets, cruelty case animals, stray cats and dogs, livestock including goats and sheep, and even a young calf, the vehicle has rarely stopped. It has become an essential part of the GSPCA's rescue work.

However, after years of dedicated service, the ambulance is beginning to feel very much like "Trigger's Broom" from Only Fools and Horses. So many parts have been replaced over the years that it is a testament to the skills of local garages and mechanics that it continues to provide such reliable service. Despite the ongoing repairs and maintenance, the vehicle is now showing its age and replacement has become increasingly urgent.

The GSPCA's second Animal Ambulance, which was donated in 2018, was a landmark addition to the charity's fleet as the first electric vehicle to support animal rescue work on the island. The vehicle was generously donated and supplied by Plug-N-Go.com, with the charging point kindly installed free of charge by JER Electrical.

Although this vehicle has also provided years of valuable service, it was second-hand when donated and has now accumulated extremely high mileage. Like its older counterpart, it requires regular visits to the garage and increasing levels of maintenance to keep it operational.

The GSPCA team operates around the clock, responding to emergencies during both the day and throughout the night. Having reliable vehicles is critical to ensuring animals receive help when they need it most.

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:

"Our Animal Ambulances are some of the most important tools we have. Every day they help us respond to calls involving sick, injured, abandoned and vulnerable animals across Guernsey. They have transported everything from tiny wildlife casualties through to livestock and marine animals, and they have played a role in thousands of rescues over the years.

Both vehicles have served us incredibly well, but the reality is they are now reaching the point where replacement is becoming essential. We are so grateful to everyone who originally supported the purchase and donation of these vehicles, and we hope the community may be able to help us once again.

Without reliable transport, our ability to respond quickly to emergencies would be severely affected. Every mile these ambulances travel represents an animal receiving the help it desperately needs."

Steve added:

"We know there are many demands on people's generosity, but every donation, sponsorship opportunity or fundraising idea can make a genuine difference. Whether someone can help us replace an ambulance, contribute towards our ongoing costs, support the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, or donate one of the many smaller items on our Wish List, every act of kindness helps us continue caring for animals in Guernsey."

The GSPCA's Wish List contains a wide variety of projects and items requiring support, ranging from the urgent need for replacement Animal Ambulances and the ongoing #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, through to everyday supplies used by the animals and staff at the shelter.

Anyone who may be interested in helping with the replacement of the Animal Ambulances, sponsoring a vehicle, making a donation, or discussing fundraising opportunities is asked to contact the GSPCA.

To help or find out more:

Telephone: 01481 257261

Email: [email protected]

GSPCA Wish List:
https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

Donate online:
https://giving.gg/charities/1/guernsey-society-for-the-prevention-of-cruelty-to-animals-gspca

The GSPCA would like to thank everyone who has supported the charity's rescue work over the years. With the community's help, the charity hopes to secure two replacement vehicles that will continue serving Guernsey's animals for many years to come.

For those interested in helping with our animal ambulance service please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/volunteer-emergency-wardens-needed-help-keep-gspcas-247-lifeline-running-especially-wednesday-f

Cattery

We have an incredible cattery at the GSPCA but during winter months we challenges in the outer pens with the winds and rain and we are appealing for support to help with options to make this weather proof and also suitable to ensure the cats can enjoy a view and have a good airflow for health reasons. We have trailed perspex panels which are on our Amazon Wish List you can donate but we would love to find a longer term solution which we are exploring and would appreciate support for.

Green areas, Poison Garden, Memorial Garden & Chapel of Rest

We have some amaizing green spaces at the GSPCA and are always looking for help and funds to maintain and care for them.

Hedgehog Pens

Our current 100 hedgehogs are in need of outdoor rehab pens if you are interested in knowing more please get in touch.

Small Animal and Wildlife Pens

We are appealing for funds for hedgehog pens and wildlife enclosures and we would love to update our facilities. If you are interested in supporting this work please do get in touch.

Open A Charity Shop / Pop Up Charity Shop

We now have a pet room in the Relate charity shop in Smith Street, but we continue to look for premises to set up a satellite charity shop. With increases costs a charity shop would help bring income to support the Animal Welfare work we do every day to help care for the animals of Guernsey.

To run the GSPCA we have to raise £3000 a day to help rescue, rehabilitate, reunite strays, rehome and release wildlife back to the wild over 3,000 animals a year.

If you have a premises and would be happy for the GSPCA to occupy it for a short or long period of time as a charity shop, please get in touch with the GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne.

Support with our Sponsorship Scheme For Kennels/Cattery/Small Animals

We have launched our Angel Pen Pal Sponsorship scheme which is a monthly giving scheme to help care for the many animals at the GSPCA.

We would love a partner to help promote and market this animal pen and kennel sponsorship initiative.

We would love to find the following sponsorship to help promote this scheme -

Leaflets & posters - £1000

Leaflet holders and advertisement - £800

Car stickers - £500

Plaque board and plaques - £500

Total £2300 + Marketing

To sponsor an animal pen, kennel or unit please download the form please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/angel-sponsorship-scheme-animals-needing-guernseys-everlasting-love

For corporate sponsors please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship

The scheme is up and running, but we are looking for a sponsor to help promote, advertise and support the costs.  If you or your business is interested please do get in touch.

To find out more on how to sponsor a kennel, animal pen or the wildlife unit please click here to help support animals in Guernsey.

Rescue & Rehabilitation Equipment

At the GSPCA Animal Shelter we are always looking at renewing and replacing equipment to help rescue and rehabilitate animals.

Here are examples of equipment and their costs with postage -

Graspers (dog and cat) - £200

Feral cat traps - £220

Wildlife/Cat scales - £150

Dog/Seal scales - £250

Stretcher - £150

Safety Collars, leads & muzzles - From £5 each

Throw and walk net - £200

Heat pads - £20 each

Intensive Care Units - £500 each 

Summer Cabin - £2500

Board/Benches - £1500

Total – £4000

We would like to thank the Sure Community Foundation Grant for their help with a grant of £1000 towards the work of this project, St Andrews Floral Group for their help and Pet Tributes for their donation of £75.

Please contact Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] for more details.

Help us with our onsite Conservation Work 

The GSPCA are appealing for help and support with the projects on site and with improving the wildlife rehabilitation facilities at the Animal Shelter.

Some of the projects include:

• Improving the pond on site to make deeper sections and a pond dipping area for children
• Improving the fields on site and moving soil
• Making a new bank (pending planning permission)
• Repairing a retaining wall
• Tiling the seal and turtle wildlife rehabilitation area
• Tiling the floor in the wildlife and hedgehog unit
• Placing a new floor in the wildlife hospital area
• Replanting the hanging baskets and planters around site
• Planting hedging
• Providing a picnic area
• Improving the memorial garden
• Putting bird nesting and box boxes around site
• Building a larger pool for the seals and oiled birds
• Putting path ways for visitors
• Landscaping and much more.......

St Andrews Floral Group helped us to raise donations from Situations Recruitment, the Co-op Eco Fund and Men of the Trees, RSPB and we are hugely grateful to all involved and helped so far. Some of the volunteers that have helped on site at the GSPCA include Situations Recruitment, RBS, Elizabeth College, Waitrose, the Probation Service, RSPB, Northern Trust, Medical Specialist Group, staff from Quex Gardens and of course the St Andrews Floral Group volunteers as well as many, many others.

Much of this work is not only to help wildlife locally but we have been opening the site much more to visitors to enjoy.

If you would like to get involved or like to support us in improving the grounds or facilities you can email the GSPCA Manager [email protected]  

To see some of the previous stories of those that have helped with the projects so far please go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/floral

If you would like to donate online please click the paypal link below and reference 'St Andrews Floral Group help the GSPCA' so we can allocate the funds to the project

Please help us make these dreams come true to help the 3000+ animals that come through our doors every year.