GSPCA celebrate 93 years at Rue des Truchots in our 150th year with our BIG BUILD plans for the future

Submitted by Steve on 17:16, 31st Oct, 2023 | 0

This October marks the GSPCA celebrating 93 years at our current site in St Andrews in our150th year.

In October 1929 the GSPCA purchased its present site in the area known as Les Fiers Moutons, St Andrews.

The house, outbuildings and ¾ vergee of land were bought freehold for £400.00 plus a further 2 vergees of land for £120.00 and an extra £5.00 included the spring and well.

The first Committee meeting was held at the new premises. Mr & Mrs Cosgrove were appointed caretakers. The minutes of Monday February 3rd document a “Receiving Station” at Constitution Steps, presumably where people could bring their sick or unwanted pets who would then be transferred to Les Fiers Moutons. “A Mrs Bassett had made available her washhouse and was shown how to write down all the details in a book of animals coming in to her.

Mrs Bassetts daughter would, for the present, take the animal out (to the GSPCA) by bus.” It was at this meeting that a decision was made to purchase a pony and cart to transfer animals from the Receiving Station to Les Fiers Moutons. At that time, the charge for use of this “Ambulance” was fixed at 6d. (now £10.00)

For over 150 years the GSPCA has been helping animals in Guernsey and you can see much of our history by visiting http://www.gspca.org.gg/about

Over the 93 years at our site often referred to as the ‘Animal Shelter’ we have faced many challenges and have helped an estimated 260,000+ animals through our doors.

We faced hard times through the war years and lost our site but moved back in during the late 40’s and from then to today the site has grown to what you see today with 16 buildings, over 500 animals in our care and over 3000 wild and domestic animals needing our help, over 1000 pets boarding with us and helping over 1000 bereaved pet owners each year.

As well as reacting to animals needing our help 24/7 we have to continually look to the future and our current main focus is looking at a much needed Wildlife Hospital.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “This October we celebrate 93 years of history at our site in St Andrews which has included moving into a new Small Animal Unit.”

“The GSPCA has been helping animals for over 150 years and the GSPCA Animal Shelter has housed everything from lion cubs to loggerhead turtles.”

"It is incredible to think that for a little over £500 we were able to purchase the wonderful site that we have 93 years ago."

"It means we are extremely lucky to have such a great site but we do have to raise £3000 a day to run the Shelter and look to fund new builds and projects due to the age of some of those we have."

“There have been many changes and many challenges over the years with our current BIG BUILD plans knocking down many of the the oldest buildings onsite which one has been in place since 1949 and in their place build the first Wildlife Hospital in the Channel Islands.”

“We have many wishes and plans for the site and you can see many of those by visiting http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“Our BIGGEST wish of them all is the much needed Wildlife Hospital, new kennels and ferret building and from making a donation to Buying a Brick there are many ways to support these much needed facilities.”

“To find out more or discuss how you or your group or business could support the GSPCA you can pop in to the Shelter in St Andrews, call 01481 257261 or email me [email protected] as we love chatting to those that wish to support our vital work.”

“There are many ways you can help us with our site and work at the GSPCA and we must thank all those that have helped us over the last nine decades at our Animal Shelter.”

To help the work of the GSPCA here are just a few ways and ideas –

Not only is it our 150^th year we are currently trying to ensure the future for the GSPCA.

Ahead of the Wildlife Hospital Build we are currently building a Small Animal, Reptile and Bird Unit, the first of its kind at the GSPCA and essential before we push forward to build the Wildlife Hospital as the buildings they are in currently will be and need to be removed due to their condition and age.

As well as these two important builds we are also hoping to build a new Welfare Kennel unit to help dogs needing homes, house cruelty cases, strays and those emergency dogs needing our care as well as an isolation kennel area and laundry section for kennels.

We are also in need of a ferret unit to help house the many stray and unwanted ferrets we help each year.

The builds are estimated to cost the following with links to donate to each online, or to make a general donation to the builds and our work please visit https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) –

Wildlife Hospital - £2,000,000 – to donate - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

Small Animal, Reptile and Bird Unit - £85,000 to donate - https://giving.gg/donate/event/8046/Small-Animal-and-Rabbit-Build-Appeal

Welfare Kennels - £500,000 – to donate - https://giving.gg/donate/event/9443/GSPCA-New-Kennel-Build

Ferret Unit - £80,000 – to donate - https://giving.gg/donate/event/9444/GSPCA-Ferret-Build

With the possibility of needing items to temporary house animals during the build the whole project is likely to cost nearly £3,000,000 and we really need your support.”

There are many ways to support these projects and below are just some of the ways from being a Build Partner to Buying a Brick, making a donation to sponsoring a section and any support we would love to hear from you just pop in, call 257261 or email me on [email protected] .”

“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 .”

“We really couldn’t do so much without the amazing support of our community and local businesses.”

“Help us ensure the animals of Guernsey have the bright and secure future they so much need and deserve.”

Wildlife Hospital

The GSPCA were recently delighted to announce that planning has been approved for a new Wildlife Hospital at the GSPCA and you can help this much needed facility become a reality from Buying a Brick to becoming a Build Partner.

Could you Buy a Brick? We can put the certificate and Engraved Brick in the name of a friend, in memory, your company or a loved one and there are a number of goodies you will get as part of this kind gift helping us build for the future to help wildlife in Guernsey.

We now have permission which includes demolishing a number of very old buildings one of which dates back to the 1940’s.

We really need your help. We have raised an amazing £350,000 towards the estimated costs for the facility which are approximately £2,000,000 to build the GSPCA Wildlife Hospital and to remove the old buildings.

There are a number of ways you can help including the Buy a Brick such as donating to this much needed project or could your group, trust or business help in much bigger ways –

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

To become a larger donors or as a corporate you 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

You can donate by calling 257261, post GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, GY6 8UD cheques payable to ‘GSPCA’ or popping into the Shelter or our Charity Shop in Smith Street.

The next step is go to tender, but for those wanting to help in much larger ways here are the estimated costs for some of the facilities that make up the £2,000,000 –

Demolitions £70,000
Sub-structure £80,000
Drainage £99,000
Slab £160,000
Roof £263,000
External Walls £180,000
Glazing to whole build £70,000
Each rehabilitation room £40,000
Central feed kitchen £35,000
Each marine rehabilitation room and access to pool £30,000
Rehabilitation Pool – to be confirmed
Rehabilitation aviaries/pens - £15-20,000 each
Receiving office where the public can drop animals off and they can be admitted and entered into the system - £25-30,000

With 3 seals currently at the GSPCA and over 100 hedgehogs, not to mention many other injured birds and wild rabbits you would think the GSPCA is extremely busy and you would be correct.

The new Wildlife Hospital will help house the 3000+ wildlife that come through the GSPCA doors each year and with our environment a major concern a facility that would help benefit future generations.

Steve said “The Wildlife Build is a much overdue build which is so required to help the 3000+ wild animals we help every year.”

“We are nearly at the tender stage and very excited to be moving forward with what is a facility for the future to ensure the wildlife of Guernsey and surrounding waters and islands have the emergency care they really need.”

“Anyone wanting to know more about any of our projects please do get in touch.”

Small Animal, Reptile and Bird Unit

Firstly our donation page - https://giving.gg/donate/event/8046/Small-Animal-and-Rabbit-Build-Appeal

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

Sponsor all or part of this much needed facility –

The complete Small Animal Department - £85,000

Flooring - £25,000

The intake and isolation area – £11,000

The main rabbit and guinea pig room - £22,000

The reptile room £8,000

The bird room - £8,000

The room for all other species - £11,000

Each Intake or Isolation Cage - £650

Each Rabbit or Guinea Pig Pen - £1500

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager continued “Last year we helped over 500 rabbits and over 500 other small animals, birds and reptiles.”

“We have seen a huge rise in unwanted and stray small animals in recent years and we desperately need a Small Animal Unit.”

“With our Charity Shop is in Smith Street we have been transforming what was the onsite Charity Shop into a Small Animal Department.”

“This will have purpose built facilities for rabbits, small animals in different rooms with an isolation and intake area.”

“This will be the first time we will have a proper Small Animal Unit as they have often had to be housed in various areas around the Animal Shelter.”

“The whole project should cost £85,000 but with the design and as many of the small animals live in buildings dating back to 1949 and will need demolishing before we can build the Wildlife Hospital we really need your support.”

“To donate online you can go to https://giving.gg/donate/event/8046/Small-Animal-and-Rabbit-Build-Appeal or 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 .”

“Maybe your business, you or your company would like to sponsor an animal pen or room which start from £650.”

“Anyway you can help us help what are often to referred to as the forgotten pets is hugely appreciated.”

“With over 40 rabbits in need of homes, hamsters, rats, lizards, birds and so many more please help us this Easter to build this much needed facility.”

To donate online https://giving.gg/donate/event/8046/Small-Animal-and-Rabbit-Build-Appeal

You can donate by calling 257261, post GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, GY6 8UD cheques payable to ‘GSPCA’ or popping into the Shelter or our Charity Shop in Smith Street.

Become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

To see a short VT on our appeal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP6zv6jMap0

Kennel Build

The GSPCA helps hundreds of dogs every year from strays to cruelty cases, unwanted pets looking for homes to those needing our emergency care, those owned from those fleeing domestic violence to those needing quarantine.

Due to the Wildlife Hospital Build we will be loosing 10 kennels on site as well as a laundry room so we are looking to build much needed new facilities.

The building will have 12 kennels split into 4 sections allowing us to isolate poorly animals when needed.

It will also include grooming and washing facilities for the dogs in our care, which is much needed and also a laundry room with additional bedding storage which we are currently lacking.

The build is estimated to cost approximately £500,000 and if you could towards it in any ways here are the approximate costs for options for sponsorship –

Demolition £40,000
Sub-structure £40,000
Drainage £30,000
Slab £20,000
Roof £30,000
External Walls £25,000
Glazing to whole build £20,000
Each Kennel £20,000
Grooming Room £20,000
Laundry Room £20,000
Bedding Store £15,000

Other ways to support the much needed kennel build include

Donating directly - https://giving.gg/donate/event/9443/GSPCA-New-Kennel-Build

You can donate by calling 257261, post GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, GY6 8UD cheques payable to ‘GSPCA’ or popping into the Shelter or our Charity Shop in Smith Street.

Becoming an Exclusive Build Partner http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Ferret Build

The GSPCA helps dozens of ferrets every year from strays to unwanted and even those that aren’t cared for properly.

The GSPCA has never had a purpose built ferret building and to look to the future this is something that is very much needed to help the many ferrets needing care in Guernsey.

The whole project is estimated to cost £85,000and to sponsor part of the build these are the estimated costs –

Build - £60,000
Base - £15,000
Drainage - £5,000
Electrics and other costs £5,000

Each pen would cost approximately £13,000 each or other ways to support are -

To donate to the Ferret Build - https://giving.gg/donate/event/9444/GSPCA-Ferret-Build

You can donate by calling 257261, post GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, GY6 8UD cheques payable to ‘GSPCA’ or popping into the Shelter or our Charity Shop in Smith Street.

Becoming an Exclusive Build Partner http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We do have three reasonable sized pens for ferrets but we really need much more room and capacity for them and we are hoping to build a purpose built facility for them.”

“We have seen some amazing facilities for ferrets in other Shelters and have found a fantastic company that can provide outstanding facilities and for 7 pens it would cost £85,000.”

“There are many ways to support this much needed facility and if you can help please do get in touch.”

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

	Reception & Shop area	Collecting/Dropping Off Boarding Dogs & Cats	Viewing animals for adoption	Emergencies Call 257261 or the Shelter is manned 24/7	GSPCA Charity Shop in Smith Street
Monday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Tuesday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Wednesday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Thursday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Friday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Saturday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Sunday’s	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	Closed
Bank Holiday’s (Varied times)	Possibly 11am – 4pm	Possibly 11am – 4pm	Possibly 11am – 4pm	24/7	Closed unless advertised