The current lock down has caused huge challenges at the GSPCA and the team have taken a proactive approach to face the wide range of issues.
At the Animal Shelter we have 42 kennels and as of yesterday the only dog for rehoming inline with the strict social distancing guidelines was rehomed through our online adoption process.
This means we are in unprecedented times as we have no dogs at the GSPCA in kennels or foster homes.
The last time we believe there were no dogs on site would have been during WW2 when we were evicted from the grounds which we have owned since 1929.
When the lock down occurred nearly all boarding of pets ceased which is a huge loss in income as well as animals on site as they would often take up 30 or more of the kennels.
We have also seen a drop in those wanting to rehome their dogs, but for those that are enquiring we are trying to help remotely without the need for them to come into our care but that option is still a possibility if essential and we are here to help any dog in need.
We are as always prepared for emergency boarders as we do help dogs that are from owners fleeing domestic violence or from a home where the owner has been rushed into hospital, sadly even passed away, cruelty cases and we are still taking bookings for boarding but most are booking when they think the lock down will end.
Before the lockdown we were proactively trying to home animals as quickly and responsibly as we could which thankfully has now meant no dogs in need of homes and only a handful of older cats.
We do have cats in for various other reasons and prepared for others from strays to those neglect cases and again emergency boarders.
Although no dogs are in our kennels at this moment in time we have helped had two stray dogs in today, we are giving dog training advice over the phone and online, we are having dog adoption forms completed and sent in to us for those looking to adopt a dogs, we are talking to those thinking of rehoming their dogs and we are taking bookings for boarding as well as being prepared for those emergencies, investigating cruelty reports and a real worry with the warm weather we’ve had checking possible dogs left in hot cars.
Although our kennels are quiet, with Spring upon us other departments are inundated and with the vast majority of our volunteers not able to come in the kennel staff have been redeployed to assist with the many baby birds, hedgehogs and other animals in our care.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “What a very strange time we are in, it feels very surreal as I don’t think any of the team could imagine a day when we have no dogs in our care at the GSPCA.”
“Yesterday the last dog in need of a home inline with social distancing rules went to her new family and although we have helped 2 stray dogs today they was quickly reunited with to their owners.”
“Speaking to staff that have been here over 20 years there has never been a time when we haven’t had dogs in our care even when we built our last kennel block.”
“The last time there were no dogs at the GSPCA is probably when we were evicted from our site during WW2.”
“Although we may have no dogs in our care at this moment in time we are prepared for if and when our kennels will be needed as we help dogs in so many ways.”
“We never know when a call could come in about a dog being neglected or one in need of our care as their owner is fleeing domestic violence and they require emergency boarding.”
“We often have animals in for those requiring emergency hospital treatment and we are still taking in pets for boarding if and when the need arises.”
“The majority of our kennels are used for boarding which often takes up more than 30 of our 42 kennels and brings in half of our running costs of £2000 a day, including boarding of other species.”
“This means raising the funds to run the GSPCA is a massive challenge currently and the reason why we launched our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal which you can donate to by visiting https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal .”
Seb Goman GSPCA Animal Care Assistant who heads up kennels sad “I’ve worked in the GSPCA kennels for over 5 years and have never seen them all empty.”
“We are all missing the boarding dogs as so many of them are regulars and its so strange not seeing dogs being walked around the GSPCA.”
“Apart from strays we have only really had 1 dog in which was Macy a lab and she went to her new family yesterday and we all really miss her, but we have already had an update that she is doing well.”
“I still help with the stray dogs arriving and any others that may come in, but currently my role is much more with the wildlife and you really wouldn’t believe how many baby birds, baby bunnies and hedgehogs we have helped in recent weeks.”
Lorna Chadwick GSPCA Welfare Manager who also heads up dog training and rehoming said “Although this is a first, possibly for over 70 years that we do not have any dogs in our kennels that could al change at any time.”
“I’m sure many will remember the 25 Slovakian puppy case so we never know what could happen although this particular case is unlikely current with the strict travel restrictions.”
“We are still helping with dog training and puppy advice and still want those interesting in adopting or fostering to complete forms so we have them on file if anything does come in so we can match them to new homes quickly.”
“We are all looking forward when things get back to normal and we can run training classes at the Shelter and fill our kennels with boarding dogs as people can travel, but at this time if anyone has any queries or needs help please call us on 01481 257261 or email our front desk on [email protected] .”
“For those with pets or enjoy taking photos of animals today we launched our Virtual Petshow and we’d especially like to see lots of pictures of dogs and to see the event page for details please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/230454898178108 .”
To see our online adoption and foster forms please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-adoption-and-rehoming-all-moved-online-and-over-phone-please-do-not-visit-shelter-time
Steve continued “We continue to work 24/7 and with 100’s of animals in our care we really need support now more than ever and we thank everyone who has donated to our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal .”
“We are sure that we will have more dogs in our kennels very soon but for now all of the team will never forget the day the GSPCA had 0% occupancy.”
To see our boarding procedures and prices please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/boarding-facilities
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 #GuernseyCoronavirusCrisisAppeal 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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