Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle continues to grow at GSPCA nearly a year on despite relentless attempts to get her home

On the 6^th November 2023 a loggerhead turtle was washed up on the West Coast of Guernsey.

Barnacle Bill as the young turtle was called has since that time been in the care of the GSPCA.

On arrival she was very cold and weak but in the care of the Animal Shelter quickly improved and has been growing and putting weight on ever since.

She was microchipped back in November and the paperwork submitted for her travels home to warmer waters and although thankfully we received the Guernsey export paperwork very quickly thanks to the Guernsey States Vets.

Sadly however we still seek appropriate Import paperwork which in the first instance was to Gran Canaria but due to complications we are having to explore other destinations such as Cape Verde or possibly Turkey, and now even other destinations and options are being looked at.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle who was rescued back in November and who was one of Storm Ciarans casualties has been with us for nearly a year despite her being fit for travel after only a short period of care.”

“In that time from just over 700g she has now hit an amazing 3.1kgs.”

“She has moved into larger enclosures while we continue to seek CITES paperwork and a suitable destination for her to be transported which has proved incredibly frustrating.”

“To move endangered species like loggerhead turtles we require export and import CITES documents and although we received the Guernsey forms very quickly we in the first instance have were looking to move her to a rescue in Gran Canaria that we have used previously but due to the UK coming out of the EU the Spanish import forms have been much more complicated as well as other challenges.”

“The UK rescued turtles have had similar issues and they too have had many for more than 12 months but we were overjoyed to hear recently that 9 of them are being helped currently by the Royal Navy to be returned to warmer waters.”

“We had hoped we may be able to try and get Bill to join this trip but sadly on this voyage it has not been possible but it could be a possible option in the future.”

“We have been speaking to rescues in Turkey and Cape Verde, and more recently been making enquiries into Morrocco, the Azores and Bermuda.”

“Off the back of a BBC Guernsey interview last year we did we have an offer of a flight from a kind member of public who owns a jet, but until we have the permissions and destination we cannot do anything more than strive to give her the best of care.”

“You can support the care of Barnacle Bill and the other animals in our care by donating by phone  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”

“For the 1000’s of wild animals that come through the doors we are about to start building a Wildlife Hospital as well as other facilities and to find out more check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal .”

“There are many other ways to get involved and support our work such as the Swimarathon next month https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/month-go-until-skipton-swimarathon-aid-gspca-%E2%80%93-are-you-getting-involved to the Dolphin Discovery Trail in 2025 https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/year-puffin-parade-auction-could-you-or-your-business-sponsor-dolphin-dolphin-discovery-trail-2 .”

“We will of course keep everyone up to date and check out the Summer tour dates as you will have a chance to visit Barnacle Bill.”

To see Barnacle Bills arrival story please visit - https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/barnacle-bill-loggerhead-sea-turtle-one-casualties-gspca-storm-ciaran

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL

The GSPCA have the BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL in our 150 year history and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023 and 151 years in 2024

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 into 151 years and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

Below are our usual opening times but these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -  

Tuesday 10th September 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6^th October 2024 - Skipton Swimarathon - https://www.swimarathon.org/

October Half Term Tours – to be confirmed

Tuesday 5th November 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 12th November 2024 - Ref - Dog 12/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 19th November 2024 - Ref - Cat 19/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Christmas Tours – to be confirmed

February 2025 Tours – to be confirmed

Easter 2025 Tours – to be confirmed

2025 – Dolphin Parade - https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/coming-guernsey-2025-dolphin-parade-thanks-gspca-autism-guernsey

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to please get in touch…………..