Rabbit Awareness Week – The forgotten pets of Guernsey - how you can help those at the GSPCA and our welfare work

Every year the GSPCA is called out to homes, sheds, buildings, green houses and gardens where rabbits can be found in extremely poor conditions.

In recent years the GSPCA have removed more than 60 rabbits from one address more than 30 from another and are often called to addresses where there is multiple rabbits and breeding taking place.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “It is currently Rabbit Awareness Week and as well as celebrating the wonders of the bunny world the GSPCA want to highlight some of the real issues behind the scenes that our GSPCA Welfare team are often called to.”

“At the GSPCA we have an amazing area called Bunny Hop Hill where the rabbits have lots of space inside and out with a fabulous view.”

“We have also had to the increase capacity due to numbers of rabbits and last year opened our first ever Small Animal Department which is nearly entirely dedicated to rabbits and often has to find overflow space in other areas due to the numbers needing our help.”

“We now see more rabbits needing our help from cruelty to rehoming than dogs and cats combined at the GSPCA.”

“We often have 30 to 50 rabbits looking for homes at any one time compared to 1 or 2 dogs looking or 15 to 25 cats ready for homes and we can see up to 500 rabbits coming through our doors in one year for a variety of reasons from stray to sick and injured.”

“Sadly we still see rabbits bought on impulse for children as pets which can lead to them kept in tiny hutches, rarely exercised, socialised or cleaned which leads to a host of welfare issues.”

“Although we have the Animal Welfare Ordinance 2012 it does not control the breeding of animals in Guernsey means no control of numbers bred or kept and there is no control on the sale of those that are bred or unwanted.”

“The States of Guernsey have been discussing some new animal legislation and laws, but this does not cover our forgotten pets all be it the current legislation does provide them some protection, sadly it is often difficult to apply.”

“The States of Guernsey have recently advertised a new post for an Animal Health & Welfare Officer this week to add to their team to help investigate the animal welfare complaints in Guernsey and we have no doubt rabbits and other small domestic animals will be sadly a regular concern raised.”

Lorna Chadwick GSPCA Animal Welfare Manager said “Sadly we regularly visit rabbits whose welfare needs are not being met.”

“The most common concerns are inappropriate diet, a lack of health care and grooming or that they are not being given the opportunity to simply ‘be rabbits’ and enjoy time out of their hutch in a run.”

“In most cases we can advise and support owners so they can improve the quality of life of their animals but there are situations where the best outcome is for the rabbit to be taken to the shelter for rehoming.”

“It is so important for owners to understand their legal responsibilities and Duty of Care.”

“All the information on how to keep a bunny happy and healthy is readily available on the GSPCA website, and our staff are always happy to help and advise if you’re not sure.”

Ollie Bourgaize who is part of the GSPCA Small Animal Department team said “It’s Rabbit Awareness Week 2024!”

“This year’s theme is ‘Healthy diet, happy bunnies’ so each day this week, we’ll be sharing posts about different parts of a rabbits diet.”

“The main part of a rabbits diet (roughly 85%) should be hay! Hay is vital for rabbits for 2 reasons: keeping their guts healthy, and wearing down their teeth, which grow continuously!”

“There are many different types of hay, which all have different uses, but the main ones are Timothy and Meadow hay.”

“Of course rabbits can also have unlimited grass to eat, but they should always be provided with hay alongside this.”

“For more detailed information on hay and its importance for bunnies, check out this great info page from the RWAF: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/hay-the-grass-roots/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR38jiRbjYvWJr4vvSULoOJXj1va6auMXl7wZyek1Qxtx5odjDGXTd3WdRQ_aem_TfTWQ2TxV3zS4EdDDo6dZg .”

Steve continued “There are of course many amazing rabbit owners and we meet so many that adopt those in need of homes at the GSPCA and go on to have incredible lives.”

“From adopting a rabbit to sponsoring those in our care through our Angel scheme via this leaflet http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf there are many ways to help our rabbit welfare work.”

“We also have a wish list of goodies we use for our bunnies so there are many ways to support there care and you can even pay for one of the new pens in the new Small Animal Department.”

“To donate to the build we have carried out and continue to add a few sections please vist https://giving.gg/donate/event/8046/Small-Animal-and-Rabbit-Build-Appeal .”

“For 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

Or

Each Intake or Isolation Cage - £650

Each Rabbit or Guinea Pig Pen - £1500

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

“As mentioned we have seen a huge rise in unwanted and stray small animals in recent years and was the reason for the Small Animal Department.”

“The purpose built facilities for rabbits, small animals and reptiles in different rooms with an isolation and intake area are mostly completed but we still need your support for this much needed facility.”

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

“The whole project is costing approximately £100,000 to help house the many of the small animals which previously were housed in buildings dating back to 1949, and which still need demolishing before we can build the Wildlife Hospital and 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.”

“To see our Wish List please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .“

“Maybe you’d like to help volunteer with the rabbits and other animals and to volunteer check out

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”

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

“With over 30 rabbits in need of homes, small mammals, birds and so many more please help us this Rabbit Awareness Week 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

To see some of them when they are looking for homes please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/dogs .

To complete an online adoption form please go to https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=23

To see some of the rabbits in need of homes please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals

New Guernsey Animal Welfare law details https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/improvements-guernsey%E2%80%99s-animal-welfare-legislation-proposed

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)

BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL

The GSPCA have the BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL in our 150 year history and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023 and 151 years in 2024

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 into 151 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

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -  

Monday 1^st July -Viaer Marchi – Saumarez Park

Sunday 14^th July 2024 – Motor Seafront Sunday - https://www.facebook.com/guernseymotorfestival

Saturday 20^th and Sunday 21^st July 2024 – Torteval Scarecrow Festival

Tuesday 23rd July 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Summer Tours – to be confirmed

Sunday 28^th July 2024 - EDABL Seafront Sunday - https://www.edablgsy.org/

Saturday 10^th August 2024 – South Show - https://www.facebook.com/p/The-South-Show-Guernsey-100063716101224/

Wednesday 14^th and Thursday 15^th August 2024 – West Show - https://thewestshow.com/

Wednesday 21^st and Thursday 22^nd August 2024 – North Show - https://northshow.org.gg/

Sunday 25th August 2024 - EDABL Seafront Sunday - https://www.edablgsy.org/

Tuesday 10th September 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6^th October 2024 - Skipton Swimarathon - https://www.swimarathon.org/

October Half Term Tours – to be confirmed

Tuesday 5th November 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 12th November 2024 - Ref - Dog 12/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 19th November 2024 - Ref - Cat 19/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Christmas Tours – to be confirmed

February 2025 Tours – to be confirmed

Easter 2025 Tours – to be confirmed

2025 – Dolphin Parade

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to please get in touch…………..