On Monday 23rd July the GSPCA welcomed visitors from Ireland.
Melissa O’Hea who works for MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption) and her husband were on a holiday to Guernsey and during their break took the time to visit the GSPCA.
MADRA is based in Connemara, Camus, Ireland and is dedicated to finding new homes for unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned dogs. They actively search for permanent, quality homes for our dogs through advertisements in local newspapers, veterinary clinics, pet shops, and special events that provide exposure. The MADRA website and Facebook page provide current, up-to-date information about all of their dogs and our work. They actively support, encourage and promote neutering of pet dogs as an ethical solution to the over-population and killing of dogs in Ireland. They also wish to improve the welfare of dogs through general education of the public and through education programmes for children. MADRA's ultimate and overall aim is that all dogs have permanent, loving homes. They wish to help create a world where no healthy, good-natured dogs are killed merely because they are considered to be surplus to requirements.
MADRA is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), as is the GSPCA, and GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne met Melissa earlier this year at the ADCH conference where there were more than 500 delegates present.
The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes or ADCH promotes best practice in animal welfare for dogs and cats with 140 members dedicated to dog rescue & cat rescue. The ADCH was founded in 1985 and since that time has grown to an organisation that has members throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
The purposes of the Association are to:
- Develop good practice and influence others working in the rescue and/or rehoming of dogs and cats.
- Address common problems and issues.
- Explore and, where appropriate, negotiate price reductions through economies of scale.
- Exchange information and provide mutual support where practicable, which may include the movement of dogs and cats between organisations.
- Combine resources to encourage workable, welfare enhancing legislation.
- Exchange knowledge in construction and refurbishment of facilities.
- Where appropriate and agreed, represent the views of members to a wider audience
Both Melissa and her husband were greeted by GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne who gave the couple a behind the scenes tour and talked about the work of the GSPCA.
Both thoroughly enjoyed their tour and especially meeting the resident tortoise.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “It was lovely to see Melissa from MADRA and her husband last week and show them around the GSPCA.”
“We are always striving to do our best and by networking and talking to others who run similar charities means we can learn from one another.”
“Both the GSPCA and MADRA are members of the ADCH which is made up of over 140 dog and cat charities all trying to do their very best for animals and their communities.”
“Melissa very much enjoyed meeting the tortoise as well as seeing behind the scenes and took copies of lots of our publications and forms.”
“It was so lovely to hear how much both Melissa and her husband were enjoying the beautiful island of Guernsey during their stay.”
“We run Special Guided Tours for birthdays and special events on request and will be holding more tours later this year which will be open to the public, but don’t forget for a £2 donation we have areas open to the public between 11am and 4pm 7 days a week.”
“For any schools or groups wanting a guided tour or talk please do get in touch.”
To visit the MADRA website please go to - http://www.madra.ie/
To visit the ADCH website please go to - www.adch.org.uk/
If you are a school or educational group interested in a tour or talk please visit our page for this by clicking here http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/education-and-schools calling 257261 or email [email protected]
Details on guided tours at the GSPCA -
Each year we run a series of guided tours at the GSPCA.
You can also book a tour for a special event or birthday. For details on special tours please see below.
This is your opportunity to visit behind the scenes at our Animal Shelter in St Andrews and see the work being carried out.
We ask for a minimum donation of £7 per person and £5 per child, or £20 for a family of four or £18 with an Islands Mum card. In 2018 we have some themed tours which are £20 per child or £17.50 with an Islands Mums card.
The tours take around 60-90 minutes and you get to see in many of the departments, interact with some of the friendly residents and a variety of species. The special tours can take a little longer.
Tours are a maximum of 20 people per tour, so please book early. The special tours are also a maximum of 20.
Some of the animals you will have the chance to see will be cats, rabbits, birds, hedgehogs, dogs looking for homes and some of the other wildlife.
If you would like a certificate as a gift then please do get in touch for more details
Here are the dates planned for 2018, if you would like to book now please follow the same guidelines as above.
Monday 29th October – Friday 2nd November 2018 Special Halloween Guided Tours each day £20 per child (£17.50 with Island Mums Card), prizes for best costumes & fun games room (children must have a guardian/parent)
Boxing Day 27th - 31st December 2018 2pm each day guided tours
Please book your placement early to avoid disappointment.
To book please call 01481 257261 or via the paypal link - https://www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
Please note if you book via paypal please indicate the date and time tour you would like as well as the names of those attending.
Birthday, Special & Tours Booked As An Event
If you would like to bring a private group or party to the GSPCA for a visit and tour at the Animal Shelter we can arrange this in advance.
We ask for a minimum donation of £80 for a group (this is for 8 children and 2 free adult places) and an additional £5 per person with groups larger than 8 (restrictions do apply with children to adult numbers).
We can provide a birthday or gift pack if the tour is for a special occasion.
We have a large events room, tables, chairs, projectors, speakers with mic, and a number of toys or things for children on request.
For details on room hire please check out - http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/room-hire-gspca
Why not make it a full event and arrange for food, a cake or more all of which can be delivered through http://www.kiddiescatering.biz
Some extras could include
Party Food can be Supplied by Kiddies Catering
Surprise Adoption for a year of an animal pen - minimum donation of £25 for an adoption pack for a year to include a plaque at the GSPCA
Room hire is available in a spacious room next to toilet facilities
Games with prizes can be supplied on request
Hire of giant animal, minion or Olaf suit
Other bespoke packages available
Guided tours of the Shelter on average take about between 60 - 90 minutes and it is your opportunity to see behind the scenes, although for animal welfare reasons there are areas that are unable to be viewed.
If the event is for a special occasion the birthday or lucky individual will receive special treatment and be allowed some unique experiences holding and possibly feeding some of the animals in our care.
Guided tours of the Shelter is your opportunity to see behind the scenes, although for animal welfare reasons there are areas that are unable to be viewed.
We do ask that there is 1 adult per 8 children.
For a booking form to enquire about availability please complete this form - http://gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Birthday%20booking%20form%20Jan%202018.pdf
If you are interested please email your form to [email protected] or call the GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne on 01481 257261 to discuss details.
Island Mum cardholders can receive a 10% discount on special tours, please see this link for details - http://islandmums.com/guernsey/gspca-birthday-parties/
For details on how to book a personal guided tour for an individual or group please click here for details http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/guided-tours-gspca .
If you would like to help at one of our upcoming events or book a table at our Ball please give Michelle a call on 257261 or email [email protected]
For more information on volunteering at the GSPCA and how to get involved please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
If your business or group would like to spend a day at the Shelter you can find out more by going to http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days
To see the opening hours at the GSPCA please visit – http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-opening-visiting-times
To donate to the animals in our care please visit - www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor to sponsor the hoglets and support our work please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/angel-sponsorship-scheme-animals-needing-guernseys-everlasting-love
To see our Wish List on our website please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
For other fund raising ideas and ways to support please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
To visit the details on the Urgent Kennel Floor Appeal please visit - www.gspca.org.gg/blog/urgent-kennel-floor-appeal-%E2%80%93-kennel-flooring-work-discovers-need-new-drains-and-completely-ripp
Post new comment