On Thursday 30th January the GSPCA held its 137th AGM in its 152 year history.
John Knight GSPCA President opened by saying “Good evening and thank you for joining us this evening. We are just coming up to our is our 152nd anniversary on Valentine’s Day, and we are all looking forward to the year ahead.”
A number of apologies were given.
John continued by saying “Since our last report we have celebrated our 150th Anniversary and a fabulous succession of events took place celebrating the work of the GSPCA through both good and difficult times. I would like to thank our entire team and dedicated volunteers for the work the undertook to achieve this. There were many: from another very successful Seafront Sunday to our celebratory ball which in itself raised £14,000. As we approach our 152nd anniversary on St Valentines Day we have a lot to live up to, and a bright future ahead. Our core values have evolved with the times, but Animal Welfare and Community remain at the centre of what we do. However, we can only carry out our mission with the ongoing help and support of our community, and for this, we must continue to provide the highest levels of care in all areas.
Our plans for the desperately needed Wildlife Unit are progressing well. We have chosen a preferred tender and are hoping to get the work underway shortly. As with all things, inflation has played its hand so we are having to look at making savings wherever we can in this project. I would like to thank so many who have been involved in this project for the many generous offers we have received toward the construction and servicing of this project. We hope to be able to recognised many of these going forward. At this stage I would especially like to thank Stan Brouards and GFF Flooring for donating and preparing temporary buildings for us. This has enabled us to start clearing the existing buildings in preparation for the groundwork to begin. We are hoping that this will start in the next 4-5 months. This project will replace our five oldest building on site and considerably improve conditions for both our dedicated team and the animals they care for.
It is perhaps worth reminding ourselves that wildlife now forms the largest component of our animal care responsibilities with some 2,500-3,000 wild animals taken in each year. This includes some 1,500-2,000 birds, 700 hedgehogs, and this past year alone 9 seals (5 from Guernsey and 4 from Jersey). Again, we have had great success in returning them to the wild.
Whilst on wildlife, I am pleased to be able to tell you that Olivia, our celebrity turtle, is ready for release and is on her way back to warmer climes. Geoff recently transported her over to the famous Brighton Aquarium where she awaits a lift from the Royal Navy. They will take Olivia on to warmer waters where he can be set free.
We have had another successful year with our more commercial activities. We have had a high occupancy rate for the kennels and cattery, our crematorium continues to serve the island well, and we now also have a property that we have let. This commercial activity a vital part of our work and provides for about 1/3 of our running costs. For the rest we rely on grants, the work and support of our volunteers, our most generous donors, and legacies.
In this regard I would also like to thank Michelle Champion for continuing her support for us, running a pet equipment room at the Relate Charity Shop in Smith Street.
Most fortunately, we have had no major welfare cases during this past year, although the number of welfare/cruelty cases remain at around our normal level.
Having given us wonderful support for the past 18 years and headed up our Welfare department, Lorna Chadwick has moved on to take up the position of Welfare Officer working in the States’ Veterinary Department. There, amongst other things, she will be performing similar tasks to those that she did for us. In addition, Lorna will be assisting the States with the development and implementation of the new licencing proposals for animal related commercial and breeding activities that they are being brought forward. We wish her every success in her new role.
With Lorna moving on we have increased our number of Supervisors on our team to 3: They are now Yvonne, Anna, and Ali. We have also promoted Seb to Senior Animal Care Assistant. In practice, the majority of our welfare work is essentially advisory and educational, Lorna’s previous work in this area has been taken on by our specialist teams as appropriate. This appears to be working well, and thank all who have stepped up in this regard.
I would also like to sincerely thank Tom Le Pelley who has recently retired from our Committee. For the past 25 years Tom has brought deep knowledge and expertise to our team, rational argument, and considerable common sense. He has been a stalwart member of the Committee, a Vice-President, and he took on responsibility for supervising the infrastructure of the Shelter. He has also regularly supported us at many events around the island. He will be sorely missed. We wish both Tom and Anne every happiness going forward.
In collaboration with the UK’s College of Animal Welfare and the local veterinary practices, the Veterinary Nurse Training Centre based at the Shelter continues apace. The first students to go through have now qualified and have done extremely well. Everyone is very pleased, and for the past year we have also been taking students from Jersey. Hopefully it has a great future.
I am also pleased to see that collaboration with the College and Battersea is extending to training some of our own team and look forward to watching this develop.
I am also pleased to see that our ongoing collaboration with the States of Guernsey on the “Work2Benefit” scheme continues to thrive under Tim’s leadership. The States have committed to a further 5-years of support to this valuable work.
Our collaboration with The Autism Society and the “Puffin Parade” raised a fantastic response in the media. It created a good feeling within the Bailiwick and raised some £140,000 for the two charities. I would like to thank all those involved, and especially the incredible artists that took part. We look forward to seeing the Dolphins that are currently going out.
There are so many people I should thank. But perhaps most important of all is Steve, our Manager. He has worked tirelessly for the GSPCA over the past 14 years and has played an enormous role. It is his expertise, boundless energy and enthusiasm that has helped get us to where we are today.
Before I finish, I would like to take this opportunity to remember two individuals who have also contributed enormously to the Committee and the work of the Society over the years. Without them we would not be in the position we are today. Sadly, both have passed away since our last AGM. Firstly, Michael Cripps who served as our President for several years, and then more recently, Jayne Le Cras who managed the Shelter for many years before later becoming our President. We miss them both.
I repeat we are coming up to our 152nd Anniversary, and another year to celebrate. Perhaps, I could remind you all that the 7th-14th February is our “Purple Week” and we hope that you will all give us your support.
Thank you.’
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager then said said ‘Thanks to all that help make the GSPCA who we are and all that help us both operate and survive.
From the paid team who so many put in so many hours, volunteers all those that support us and help animals and our committee who rarely get thanked but bring key skills and contacts.
We have had a very challenging few years with rising costs and have the biggest plans in our history.’
Steve added about the plans for the future and some of the challenges and gave a special tanks to the committee, the team and all supporting all the GSPCA does.
This was followed by the Treasurers Report from GSPCA Treasurer Louise Gambrell
Who highlighted the challenges from increases in costs from 25% in 2022 to 11% in 2023 to 7% in 2024 as well as the other costly challenges for running the Shelter.
The challenges from the secondary pensions and other increased costs for staffing and running the buildings being the biggest costs and especially the upcoming new build and how we are striving to lower these costs as best we possibly can.
Louise explained how we try and keep costs as low as we can and try to raise income from our boarding and cremations but these have moved from helping raise half to what is now a third of our cost.
This was followed by the accounts from 2022 and 2023 being adopted which can be seen as can all the accounts in recent years as well as ways to become a member by visiting https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gspca-membership
Moore Stephens were once again elected as the GSPCA Auditors as the GSPCA believe it incredibly import to ensure the accounts are auditied which was proposed by Karen Girdlestone and seconded by Charisma Lyall.
The membership fees continue to be just £10 a year and there are other ways to support the GSPCA and become a member by joining monthly giving schemes.
There wasn’t need for elections as no new members were elected and the current existing members of the Committee are all mid-term but it was mentioned we are always looking to increase our numbers and representation from skilled individuals interested.
Steve continued “Although no elections were required at this years GSPCA AGM a huge thanks must go to Tom Le Pelley who has been an incredible committee member for over a quarter a century in so many ways.”
“His skills and knowledge has been incredibly valuable and we wish him well although will miss him very much.”
“For anyone interested in volunteering in any way then please check out this link - https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers .”
Steve Byrne hosted the Certificates of Appreciation
The following were presented by Steve Ford with GSPCA Managerwith Steve Byrne adding these few words to each presentation.
Long service – Kevin Beausire (10 years)- Kevin has been a key member heading the maintenance and pet cremation services at the GSPCA as well as supporting the Shelter in many ways.
Media Support – Bailiwick Express – Bailiwick Express have been an incredible support in promoting and sharing our work and have even teamed up with being the media supporter of the Dolphin Parade.
Outstanding CSR Support – Northen Trust and Specsavers – Both companies have been and are an incredible support to the GSPCA having sent hundreds of staff to help in recent years and helped in many ways
Over and Above Supervisor Duties – Ali Le Huray – having been promoted since the last AGM, Ali has taken on a number of duties that are essential in the smooth running of the GSPCA and is an incredibly kind and thoughtful team member leading from the front
Up and Coming Animal Welfare Investigator – Seb Goman – Seb also has been promoted since the last AGM and especially has taken on many of the welfare roles and tasks and has been a huge asset to the GSPCA
Outstanding Sponsorship and Support – Skipton Swimarathon – The Swimarathon was without doubt one of the BIGGEST and most well supported events of 2024 and the GSPCA wanted to highlight this to all involved and supported this incredible event which helped raise £25,000 towards the wildlife hospital
Outstanding Service through Customer Service – Sarah Goddard – Sarah since joining the front desk team in 2022 has been an amazing ambassador for the GSPCA with her thoughtful, kind and caring nature as well as her thorough work ethic the GSPCA wanted to thank her for all she does and recognise her incredible skills helping all we do and our community
Outstanding Commitment to Dog Walking – Richard Storey and Lucy Radford – Both volunteers are an incredible and regular support to the kennel team and more importantly to the many dogs in our care ensuring every week they get out for the time and exercise they need. Lucy has also helped in many cake events helping raise funds and promoting our work
Outstanding Commitment to our Cats – Saturday Volunteer Team – Sue Martel, Chrissie Robers and Cheryl Tough known as the Saturday Cat Team are an incredible support to the cattery team and have been supporting the care of our cats for many years and the GSPCA wanted to ensure all they do was being recognised for both the GSPCA, the team and of course the many cats in our care and are now in new homes or been returned to their owners having been lost.
Outstanding Animal Rescue – Matt Hill-Smith, Suzy Rose and Michelle Champion all over 10 years service – All three of these wardens help ensure the GSPCA provide our 24/7 service and also help in so many other ways. Between them they have nearly 40 years of supporting the GSPCA and what they do for the GSPCA, animals of all shapes and sizes needing rescuing, rounding up and so many of our community needing help the many, many stories we could say on what these phenomenal volunteers have been involved with is truly incredible.
Steve added continued “152 years helping animals and 137 AGM’s the night we not only looked back but we look to the future.”
“There are many ways you can help support our vital 24/7 work and donate or raise funds for the hundreds of animals in our care.”
“As well as raising daily running costs our biggest upcoming challenge is our BIG BUILD which includes a new Wildlife Hospital, Kennels, Ferret Build and other facilities as well as remove many old buildings and to find out more check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal .”
“With around 100 hedgehogs, 2 seal pups, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles and many birds we help over 3000 animals through the doors every year.”
“We recently celebrated 152 years with our #GSPCAPurpleWeek and with our anniversary on Valentines Day which you can see more via https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/it-gspca-purple-week-friday-7th-14th-february-2025-celebrating-152-years-are-you-getting-involv .”
“If you would like to support our Amazon Wish List and see lists of items that we use every day and things that we are appealing for.”
“If would like to help with wish list items you can call us on 01481 25721 or email [email protected] or the easy way to see many items we are in need is by going to our Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList .”
“We do promote buying items locally but shopping online can help raise funds at the same time as if you select the GSPCA through easy fund raising part of the amount through 1000’s of online retailers comes back to the GSPCA and it has raised over £2500.”
“To sign up to do this please visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/guernseyspca/?u=1CHID8 .”
“Sadly Amazon Smile doesn’t allow Guernsey charities to sign up but you can go through easy fund raising to achieve the same donation.”
“As mentioned you can always chose to donate via local stores and the Amazon Wish List is a shop front showing some of the items we need but there are many others and we have published these on our Wish List page http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“A gift of a tiny bowl costing less than a £1 to a £600 intensive care unit, every donation is hugely appreciated and really makes the team smile that there are those that care and want to support our work.”
“Another amazing way to support our work is by just a couple of pounds each month can make a massive difference in helping the animals in our care and to find out more please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf .”
“To make a donation you can go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”
For lots of other ways to support our work, history and more check out www.gspca.org.gg
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