Last night the GSPCA undertook its first ever virtual tour.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager who lives on site and is currently having to cover 6 night shifts a week undertook a very special tour for the Guernsey 3rd Cubs Group.
The Cub group who would normally meet each Tuesday at 630pm and in the past have come up to the GSPCA to help towards their animal badge, due to the strict social distancing have moved their meetings onto Microsoft Teams.
The troop had no idea what their activities were going to be last night and just after 630pm they had a surprise when Steve signed in to join in their group call outsidee the front of the GSPCA.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “It has been so sad that we have had to stop all tours at the GSPCA as we really love to show visitors and educate them about our work.”
“At 6pm all the team head home and 6 nights a week I care for and receive any animals whether they be sick, injured, stray or for a variety of other reasons and also liaise with the emergency warden to ensure their is someone in our ambulance and on site 24/7.”
“Every week before the lock down we would be showing groups, schools, parties, businesses and individuals around the Shelter and we would normally see tens of thousands of visitors at the GSPCA every year.”
“Although we have streamed some facebook videos showing parts of the Shelter last night we held our first ever virtual tour at the GSPCA.”
“It was fantastic to chat to the children from Guernsey 3rd Cubs in their own homes, show them what we have been doing and the many animals in our care.”
“As it was just me I was able to take them into areas we wouldn’t normally go so they were very lucky to see many things behind the scenes normal tours aren't able to see.”
“I think one of the highlights is that they got to see our two seal pups Pebble and Andrewwho are both doing very well.”
“We explained how we are working during these difficult times and what we do to ensure social distancing rules."
"They got to see me feed some dandelion to some of the rabbits that live on Bunny Hop Hill and got up close to Nellie the bearded dragon that lives at the GSPCA who was cruelly treated before her arrival at the Shelter, as well as many other lovely surprises.”
“Huge thanks to Guernsey 3rd Cubs, it was a real pleasure to chat and show you around and thank you so much for the kind donation you are making towards our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal .”
"Raising funds is such a challenge as we have next to no boarding animals, no events and our charity shop closed so raising the £2000 a day to run the Shelter is a real worry."
“To donate to our appeal you can call 01481 257261, by post or online via https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal .”
By post please make cheques payable to 'GSPCA and post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD.
Steve continued “If you would like to arrange a virtual tour it is only possible after 6pm when all of the day team have gone home and be prepared if an animal arrives that we may need to pause or cut short the tour, but if interested please email me on [email protected] or call and leave your details with the front desk.”
“We can also send videos to schools if you would like something like a task, tour or even our volunteer induction please just let us know.”
“Education has been at the heart of our work at the GSPCA for over 147 years as education can really help prevent cruelty and promote kindness to animals.”
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if you are over 65, have an underlying health condition or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and only visit us if your visit is essential but before doing so please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to the GSPCA to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.
For lots more ideas on how you can support the shelter and the animals in our care then please visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
To see a list of our volunteer induction evenings which we hold each month and for more information please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
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