Cleopatra, Peej and Hector the grey seal pups back in the wild

The GSPCA today carried out the fourth seal pup release of 2023.

To donate to the care of the seals and our work please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

Geoff George Head of Marine Mammals said “Today we released the last 3 grey seal pups in our care namely Peej, Cleopatra and Hector.”

“All 3 pups were rescued in Guernsey, Cleopatra in January, Hector end of December and Peej in April and all have nearly tripled there body weight were fit to go and the release went very well.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “This year we celebrate 150 years and today we released the last 3 seal pups in our care.”

“Cleo or Cleopatra was rescued in January in Petit Bot, Hector the end of 2002 in December at Port Grat and Peej most recently in April not far from the release site.”

“The release took place at Portlet and it was lovely to see them swim free where they belong, although Cleo and Peej needed some assistance as they didn’t seem to want to come out of their transport carriers.”

“These were the last 3 grey seal pups and now Peej, Hector are back in the wild we for the first time in a long time have no seals in our care.”

“We’ve had a busy 2023 celebrating our 150 years.”

“To get involved and find out more check out the link https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years .”

“In the last decade with the 3 today we have rescued and released 32 grey seal pups back into the wild.”

"We have some great web pages with advice on what to do if you see a seal pup which are being born at this time of year or oiled birds, although we are only a call away on 257261."

"With young seal pups the main piece of advice is to please not approach them as you can scare their mother away and if you see one to please call us on 257261 and we can make sure they are safe or give advice."

"For those out with dogs please don't let them approach seal pups as this can scare their mothers off and if they were to bite your dog and cause a nasty injury."

"As well as wildlife we have to ensure our own pets and animals are safe and secure with the high winds as we often see dogs escaping from gates being blown open to farm animals escaping."

“The pup season will soon be here again and if you do see a seal pup please do give us a call on 257261 or send a few pictures via our facebook or [email protected] so we can monitor them.”

“For advice on what to do and how to identify a sick seal pup check out our advice page http://www.gspca.org.gg/animal/seal-advice “

“There are many ways to support our work and the seal pups from making a donation towards their care to donating or helping towards the new much needed Wildlife Hospital.”

“To make a donation to help the seals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)  .”

“You can also donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or popping up to the Shelter in St Andrews.”

“To make a direct donation to the Wildlife Hospital 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 - Buy a Brick for Christmas and help us build a Wildlife Hospital in Guernsey | GSPCA Guernsey .”

“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 .”

To see videos of the seal pups please check out GSPCA Guernsey - YouTube

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .

Some grey seal facts -

• Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
• A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
• A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
• Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
• Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
• Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
• Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
• There are 18 known species of seal in the world
• Many sick seal pups need tube feeding every 2-3 hours day and night on arrival
• The seal pups in our care once eating will consume 20-30 herring or mackerel each day
• We aim for a release weight in excess of 40 kg, with good weather and a remote location
• The GSPCA has returned 32 seals back to the wild in the last ten years

For advice on what to do if you see or find sick or injured wildlife please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice or call 01481 257261

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)

GSPCA BIGGEST BUILD Appeal

For details please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

GSPCA 150th Year Ball Saturday 30th September

To find out more - https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-30th-september-tickets-sale-and-could-you-spon-0

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 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 -

Are you supporting the GSPCA our 150th year? Here are a few ways you could get involved | GSPCA Guernsey

April - August 2023 Autism Guernsey and GSPCA Puffin Parade https://puffinparade.org.gg/  

Monday 14^th August 2023 – World Lizard Day

Guided Tour - Monday, August 14, 2023 2:00PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-educational-guided-tours-tickets-627157002477

16^th and 17^th August 2023 – West Show - https://thewestshow.com/

19^th August Lions Club Donkey Derby - https://www.facebook.com/events/600718602221239

Guided Tour - Monday, August 21, 2023 2:00PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-educational-guided-tours-tickets-627157002477  

23^rd and 24^th August 2023 – North Show - https://northshow.org.gg/

Guided Tour - Monday, August 28, 2023 2:00PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-educational-guided-tours-tickets-627157002477  

September 2023 - World Animal Remembrance Month

Guided Tour - Monday, September 4, 2023 2:00PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-educational-guided-tours-tickets-627157002477

Wednesday 13^th September 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

24^th September 2023 St Johns Ambulance Seafront Sunday

GSPCA 150^th Year Ball – Saturday 30thj September 2023 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gspca-150th-ball-tickets-671377226357?aff=oddtdtcreator

October 2023 - World Animal Month

Wednesday 4^th October 2023 - World Animal Day

Wednesday 25^th October 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

Wednesday 8^th November 2023 – GSPCA Dog First aid Course

Wednesday 15^th November 2023 – GSPCA Cat First aid Course

Wednesday 22^nd November 2023 – Volunteer Induction Evening

Monday 4^th December 2023 – World Wildlife Conservation Day

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to celebrate our 150 years please get in touch…………..