Submitted by Steve on 12:08, 18th Feb, 2016 | 0

At the GSPCA often the focus of our work is the thousands of animals we help every year.

We couldn't do this without the amazing team of staff, volunteers, placements and supporters.

On average every week 90 to 100 volunteers and placements help from giving as little as an hour to some even 7 days a week.

This is also over a 24 hour period as without our wonderful Volunteer Wardens Matt, Jen, Anna, Paul, Michelle, Suzy, Natalie, Steve, Sarah, Geoff and Dave we couldn't provide the emergency night cover in our ambulance.

With 17 staff and over 600 volunteers helping at the GSPCA we are blessed to have such amazing support and this morning those helping received a Random Act of Kindness.

In fact a number of Random Acts of Kindness have been spotted around the GSPCA today with bars of chocolate to gluten free biscuits.

In fact every volunteer and staff member in today has received a Random Act of Kindness and also a few that are off have gifts left for them around site.

At break time over coffee a few of the team said some general thank you's hoping it reached the kind giver.

Kevin Beausire GSPCA staff member who received some Cadbury Mini Eggs said "Thank you to the kind Easter Bunny for my chocolates."

Bridget Henley a GSPCA Volunteer who also got Mini Eggs left in the staff room said "How kind, thank you."

Helen Holmes GSPCA Staff Member who received gluten free chocolate biscuits said "Ooo, my second random act of kindness how lovely thank you."

Alex Miller GSPCA Volunteer said who also got Mini Eggs "I think it is fantastic and they are very tasty, thank you very much."

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager who found a bar of Swiss Chocolate on his desk said "What a wonderful idea the Random Acts of Kindness Week is."

"It is wonderful that we have such an amazing community here in Guernsey and we've seen lots of the posts on facebook from flowers on cars to Oliver from Vale Primary who gave his teacher flowers and his class mates chocolate then challenged them to help us here at the GSPCA."

"Thank you to the kind person for the chocolate on my desk and to all getting involved in this wonderful idea and event."

To visit The World's Boldest Ever Kindness Experiment facebook page please click here.

If you would like to help fund raise for the GSPCA please click here for some great ideas and our upcoming events.

Bonnie The Seal from karldorfner on Vimeo.

To become an Angel Pen Pal sponsor and support the many animals in our care please download an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor form by clicking here.
To donate to Bonnie the grey seal pup please call 01481 257261, pop along to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews, by post or by clicking the link below.

8 days on and Bonnie the seal pup is doing better than we coul...

8 days on and Bonnie the seal pup is doing better than we could have hoped http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/10-days-and-bonnie-seal-pup-doing-better-we-could-have-hoped

Posted by GSPCA on Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Some facts about Grey Seals -

The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus, meaning "hooked-nosed sea pig") is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a large seal of the family Phocidae or "true seals". It is the only species classified in the genus Halichoerus. Its name is spelled gray seal in the US; it is also known as Atlantic grey seal and the horsehead seal

Grey seal adults may be up to 2.5 metres in length and weigh up to 250kg, with males tending to be larger than females.

Previous seal pups rescued Jethou Bumblebee was 17kg on entry and Hanois 20kg, Eden 18kg and Trinity 15kg which was less than half the 40kg they should have been for their age with Bonnie only 14kg.

Male grey seals reach sexual maturity at 6 years, Females at 3 to 5 years and the latter give birth to their pups in the Autumn and early Winter.

Typically the first British pups are born off the Scillies and Cornwall in August and September and the time of pupping is progressively later as you move clockwise around the British Isles, the latest pups being born off the east coast of Scotland in late December.

All seal pups rescued locally were born early November to late December.

At, birth, grey seal pups weigh about 13 kg. and are covered in long, creamy white hair. A bond is formed between mother and pup at birth, and a mother can recognise her pup from its call and smell. For the first 3 weeks of their lives, pups rarely swim, suckling from their mothers 5 to 6 times a day, for up to 10 minutes at a time. The mothers milk is rich in fat and the pups rapidly put on weight.

The seal pups rescued have all been around two to three weeks when they were brought into the GSPCA.

The mother tends to remain just offshore between suckling bouts and rarely feeds, losing up to a quarter of her body weight before her pup is weaned.

Grey seal pups are weaned after losing their baby coat at 3 to 4 weeks of age. At this point, they weigh 40 to 50 kg; three times their birth weight.

The pups live off these fat reserves whilst learning to feed, which may take several weeks.

The adult females which are called cows become fertile soon after weaning their pups, mating with the adult males which are called bulls, who hold territories during the breeding season and may mate with over half a dozen cows.

Mating can take place on land or in water and pregnancy last for 11.5 months, there being a period of 3.5 months when the fertilised embryo does not attached to the wall of the uterus and its development is arrested ("delayed implantation"). As a result, pups are born at the same time each year. Grey seals moult annually in the spring, 3 to 5 months, after the end of the breeding season. In the wild, males may live for about 25 years, females for about 35 years.

We will of course keep you up to date with Bonnie's progress and keep your eyes open for pictures and videos.

If anyone see's a pup with or without a mum we really do appreciate a call so that we are aware of its location and condition but here is some advice.

A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.

Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.

If a Seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.

If a Seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 day or night

When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:

  • Exact location; nearest town / village
  • Position on the beach, and state of the tide
  • How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
  • Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
  • Length/colour/condition.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.

To see some of the previous stories follow the links below

Seal Rescue to Save Jethou Bumblebee 25th November 2012

Hanois the grey seal pup rescued on Saturday by GSPCA staff 7th January 2013

Jethou Bumblebee & Hanois the rescued grey seal pups back in the wild 18th April 2013

The Rescue of Trinity the Seal Pup 9th January 2014

Extremely sick and weak Grey Seal Pup rescued at Corbier now at the GSPCAhttp://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/extremely-sick-and-weak-grey-seal-pup-rescued-corbier-now-gspca

Posted by GSPCA on Monday, 18 January 2016

To find out how you could help during the GSPCA Purple Week between 11th and 14th, for more details please click here.

Pop Up Shop at the GSPCA has a new look thanks to Holeshothttp://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/pop-shop-gspca-has-new-look-thanks-holeshot

Posted by GSPCA on Saturday, 6 February 2016

To see all of our events, links and fund raisers please click here

To sponsor the many animals in our care please download an Angel Pen Pal & Slovakian Puppy Appeal form by clicking here.

To make a donation please click here

To donate towards the many animals in our care, you can do so by:

Calling: 01481 257261

By post or popping in the Shelter: GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD

Or our Paypal page by clicking the link below

Our Just Giving Page by clicking here.

Or why not become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and give each month to help animals in our care by clicking here.

For your business to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal sponsor please click here.

If you could help towards or new multi purpose building please click here to find out about the Build Partner programme.

If you are looking to adopt an animal and to complete an adoption form please click here. 

If you would like to fund raise or help the GSPCA please contact the GSPCA on 01481 257261 or email [email protected]

To complete our local Guernsey microchip survey -

Create your own user feedback survey

To see all of our events, links and fund raisers please click here

Looking for pet insurance in Guernsey? Check out the GSPCA pet insurance with Rossborough http://www.rossboroughpetinsurance.co.uk

Posted by GSPCA on Tuesday, 30 June 2015

To find out about our Build Partner programme please click here

GSPCA Build Partner programme at the GSPCA Animal Shelter in Guernsey - could your business support the GSPCA and animals in Guernsey - CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility -

To find out how to volunteer for the GSPCA please click here

Volunteering at the GSPCA Animal Shelter in Guernsey

To find out about guided tours at the GSPCA please click here

GSPCA Animal Shelter Guided tours in Guernsey

Have you got a GSPCA Hoody, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt or T-shirt? If not get yours by clicking here.

To find out about our Events, how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, , our New Build & Redevelopment Appeal and much more please click here.

There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.

Donate with JustGiving and PayPal

By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD

Or by phone 01481 257261.

To find out more regarding our Angel Sponsorship Scheme please click here.

Have you liked us on facebook yet or joined us on twitter?

Like GSPCA Guenrsey Animal Shelter on facebookFollow the GSPCA Animal Shelter in Guernsey on twitter

Here is the latest from the GSPCA Twitter feed -

To see a page full of items on our GSPCA Wish List please click here.

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