National Dog Day (Also known as: International Dog Day & National Dog Appreciation Day) is celebrated on the 26th August annually and serves to help galvanise the public to recognise the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort.
Dogs put their lives on the line every day and in Guernsey there are those that work with the Guernsey Police and Customs, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.
Dogs also often help other dogs and you may remember Tally pictured and also Inca the Husky which are two dogs that whilst they were at the GSPCA helped other dogs which needed blood transfusions.
On average the GSPCA help reunite 200 stray dogs with owners each year and we find homes for 30 to 50 dogs each year. To view the dogs in need of a home please click here. Thankfully there are only a few dogs in the rehoming process and if you are looking for a dog then please do complete a form and register your interest.
The 2013 annual Stray Dogs Survey released by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, reveals a shocking 111,986 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by Local Authorities across the UK over the last 12 months, equating to a staggering 307 stray dogs being found every day.
At our Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday we will be holding a fun dog show to help celebrate dogs and each June we hold another fun dog show in Fairfields where we can see hundreds of dogs from around Guernsey taking part.
Also on December the 14th we will be holding our Santa Paws Dog Walk from Market Bistro which is a fun sponsored walk starting and finishing at the inner Market Building in St Peter Port.
At the GSPCA we often respond to calls of cruelty for dogs, but thankfully they are mostly straight forward and we are able to give a little advice and the situation can be resolved. There are however cases such as dogs in hot cars where we ask the police or States Vet to be involved.
If you have a dog then we do hold dog training classes at the GSPCA and to find out more please click here.
If you are looking to board your dog whilst you go on holiday then please check out our facilities by clicking here.
We guesstimate that in Guernsey there are approximately 8,000 dogs, across the UK there are an estimated 9 million dogs and across the world around 300 million which is around the size of the population of the US.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "It is amazing to see so many dog lovers in Guernsey and we see this in so many ways at the GSPCA."
"We are so lucky that of the 200 stray dogs that we get in at the Shelter over 98% of those last year were returned to their owners within 24 hours and most within only a couple of hours."
"If we post a stray dog on the GSPCA facebook page that has no microchip or collar it will often be shared over a hundred times in less than an hour meaning we track down the owner very quickly."
"We are extremely lucky to have a fantastic team of staff and volunteers that work with the dogs at the GSPCA and our dog shows are always great fun and it is amazing to see so many wonderful dog owners."
"Sadly we do see cases of cruelty with dogs but most can be sorted with some advice and follow up visits but occasionally at the GSPCA we do need to get the police and States Vet involved."
"The worst case we have seen recently was a dog locked in a hot car for over three hours in St Peter Port."
To help sponsor the dogs in our care please click here.
To download a brochure all about the Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday please
Have you got a GSPCA Hoody, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt or T-shirt? If not get yours by clicking here.
We have lots of animals in need of homes. Could you help us advertise them? To download a the posters please click here. or to share them on social media please click here.
To find out about our Events, how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, , our New Build & Redevelopment Appeal and much more please click here.
There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.
By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD
Or by phone 01481 257261.
To find out more regarding our Angel Sponsorship Scheme please click here.
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