During June 5 staff got the chance to learn from some of the leading animal welfare organisations in the UK and meet many from around the world.
The GSPCA are part of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes which is an organisation made up of hundreds of animal charities from around the UK. In a recent meeting after speaking to a member of staff from the Dogs Trust, Lorna Prince our Welfare Manager was invited to take part in their week long International Training Programme.
This is a course subsidised by the Dogs Trust for charities from around the world to learn from their staff , staff from the Cat Protection and other leading experts. The group was made up of representatives from around the world and covered a whole host of subjects from education to good hygiene, successful trap, neuter and release programmes to fund raising and much more.
Over the 5 days Lorna got the chance to meet some wonderful people and learn from some fantastic speakers. She also got to see the Dogs Trust HQ and chat to Clarissa Baldwin OBE who is the CEO of the Dogs Trust and spent much of her time in lectures at the Dogs Trust Harefield Shelter near London.
Animal Collection Officer Geoff George and Animal Care Assistant Annie Janes got the chance to spend 4 days and 5 nights at the RSPCA’s most southern Wildlife Hospital called RSPCA Mallydams.
There they learnt and experienced the variety of mammals that we don’t see in Guernsey but also handle and care for a wide selection of bird species and find out what they do with their hedgehogs.
RSPCA Mallydams are currently working with a University monitoring hedgehog release.
Also last month Animal Care Assistants Eddie Higgins and Lucy Ogier spent two days at RSPCA Mallydams Wildlife Hospital and 2 days at the largest RSPCA Centre in the UK, RSPCA Stubbington Ark in Portsmouth.
Again they got to see hundreds of animals which they helped care for, look after, learn from the staff and also got to see some operations.
The GSPCA are very grateful to the Dogs Trust for all they did for Lorna. Thank you for the opportunity, covering the costs, the chance to meet new people within the same field and of course all of the costs they endure to put on such a wonderful course.
We are so thankful to all of the RSPCA personnel that gave their time and allowing our staff to work alongside them at RSPCA Mallydams and RSPCA Stubbington Ark.
We must also say thank you to the States of Guernsey as two of the new staff at the Shelter were applicable to the Social Security Recruitment Grant. This is aimed towards their training costs and helped sending them to the RSPCA Centre’s and learn so much.
Lorna, Geoff, Annie, Lucy and Eddie would all like to say a thank you to everyone they got to meet and for all they learnt.
Whilst at Stubbington Ark Lucy and Eddie were able to bring back 4 kittens that were in need of homing. The GSPCA has very strict guidelines on what kind of animals we would bring into Guernsey and the four 12 week old kittens were fully vaccinated, vet checked, deflea’d, wormed and had been with a foster home from a very young age so had a full history. They were also neutered as many RSPCA Shelters and other welfare charities neuter from a much earlier age than the traditional 6 months.
The kittens are all now reserved after being isolated and health checked and will soon be in their new homes. Watch this space to find out more on how they get on.
To see some of the animals looking for homes go to www.gspca.org.gg/animals
Summer Fayre and Dog Show – Saturday 7th July 2012 - we still need bric-a-brac, plants, raffle prizes, bottles and donations - for more details
To make a donation please click here
We are looking for businesses or individuals to sponsor the Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday on the 9th September. If you are interested please email Steve Byrne on [email protected] call 01481 257261 or pop into the Animal Shelter. To find out more about the day please -
If you would like to donate online to help cats like Deacon you can do so by going to our fundraising page -
If you would like to become a member or donate monthly please -
To find out how to knit a mouse for a homeless cat -
Telephone - 01481 257261
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