Volunteer Induction Evening 6.30pm this Thursday 3rd March
Submitted by Steve on 09:30, 1st Mar, 2016 |
0
This Thursday we hold our third volunteer induction of 2016.
We are blessed with over 600 volunteers helping the GSPCA every year and on average over 90 every single week.
Here are full details on getting involved -
We are always looking for volunteers to help at the Shelter in a variety of roles.
You need to be at least 14 years old to help at the Shelter. If you are younger then you could still help. If you talk to your parents or guardians they may help you with fund raising for the Animal Shelter.
To get started in Volunteering at the GSPCA we hold Induction Evenings and no matter your age there is always a way you can help.
If you are looking to complete your work experience, Duke of Edinburgh or similar placement it is a requirement to attend one of the sessions to arrange a start date and complete the induction.
The Volunteer Induction Evenings planned for 2016 will take place on the following days and times in the Event and Training Room at the GSPCA, but please do call 257261 closer to the date to confirm it is taking place.
When you arrive to attend please follow the paw prints at the front of reception which will take you to the upper floor where the sessions are held.
6.30pm Thursday 3rd March 2016
6.30pm Thursday 7th April 2016
6.30pm Tuesday 3rd May 2016
6.30pm Wednesday 1st June 2016
6.30pm Thursday 30th June 2016
3pm Monday 18th July 2016
3pm Wednesday 27th July 2016
6.30pm Thursday 4th August 2016
6.30pm Tuesday 6th September 2016
6.30pm Tuesday 13th September 2016
6.30pm Thursday 6th October 2016
6.30pm Thursday 3rd November 2016
6.30pm Tuesday 6th December 2016
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "We are so lucky at the GSPCA to have so many amazing volunteers from the wardens that help ensure those emergies at night are rescued to those that help on the reception desk answer the phone."
"We need to raise nearly £2000 a day at the GSPCA and it is wonderful that so many of our fantastic volunteers help out at our many events through the year as well as help us care for the 300 animals at the Shelter.
"The induction evening takes around 90 minutes and is your chance to find out what we do and how you can get involved at the GSPCA."
"At the end of the induction we have a chat with each volunteer that would like to help to arrange a start date and time."
"If anyone has any questions you can call us on 257261 or email the Shelter but all are welcome at 6.30pm at the GSPCA on Thursday."
Here are some of the ways you can volunteer for the GSPCA.
Dog Walking - to find out more
Cat Socialising - for more details
Animal Accommodation Cleaner - With over 200 animals in our care there is lots of cleaning to do in the morning and through the day. Please complete a form and return it to the Shelter if you would like to help care for the animals at the Shelter.
Wildlife Volunteer - Our recent refurbished wildlife unit always has high numbers of birds and a growing number of hedgehogs that require caring for. We need volunteers to help us with this unit and if you would like to help please complete a form below and return it to the Shelter. The main part of this role is between 8am and 12pm 7 days a week and we are trying to put a rota together to help assist the wildlife staff.
Reception and helping answer calls - We are looking to build a team of volunteers to assist the reception staff in their duties to help respond to the inquiries and welfare calls.
Administration - We are a very busy Animal Welfare organisation and if you could help in the office please fill in the form below and get in touch.
Gardening & Grounds Work - We have a lovely rural site that we always need help to care for.
Maintenance & Painting - Many of our buildings have been standing for some time and need TLC.
Fostering / Hand Rearing - follow this link to see our Fostering page
Fund Raising - we are always looking for volunteers to help with our many fund raising events. If you can help please fill in an application below and return it to the Shelter. If you would like to see some of our fund raising events please
Events & Special Days - We have lots of days to help raise awareness and funds for the GSPCA.
Welfare & Microchipping Events - We are planning to arrange days to help raise awareness and help animals in Guernsey and need your help to run these days.
Van Driving & Night Wardens - We need volunteers to help both in the day and night. For more details on the Wardens please.
Volunteer Co-ordinator - We are looking for a Volunteer Co-ordinator. If you have some time on your hands, good people skills and would like to get involved recruiting and training volunteers please get in touch.
Newsletter Editor - We are also looking for someone to help with our quarterly newsletter. If you have experience in putting together newsletters and have the time then please let us know.
Sponsorship Co-ordinator - We are currently putting together a kennel, cat and animal pen sponsorship scheme. We are looking for a volunteer to help organise, promote and run this scheme to help raise the much needed funds to care for the hundreds of animals at the Shelter.
Collection Box Co-ordinator - We have collection boxes throughout Guernsey and we are looking for someone who can help ensure these are collected regularly and to help find new sites.
Education Talk Assistant - Every week staff at the Shelter talk to schools and groups about the vital work we carry out. If you are interested in helping with these please email [email protected]
Tour Guide Volunteers - At the Shelter we would like to develop a small team of volunteers that can give guided tours around the GSPCA and talk about the much needed work we carry out every day.
Refreshment / Charity Shop Volunteers - We would like to run coffee mornings at the Shelter whilst selling a selection of bric-a-brac and other donated items a couple of mornings a week. We are currently looking for volunteers to help run this to help raise funds for the Shelter.
To download a volunteer application form please and send it in if you cannot make one of the dates above -
8 days on and Bonnie the seal pup is doing better than we could have hoped http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/10-days-and-bonnie-seal-pup-doing-better-we-could-have-hoped
The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus, meaning "hooked-nosed sea pig") is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a large seal of the family Phocidae or "true seals". It is the only species classified in the genus Halichoerus. Its name is spelled gray seal in the US; it is also known as Atlantic grey seal and the horsehead seal
Grey seal adults may be up to 2.5 metres in length and weigh up to 250kg, with males tending to be larger than females.
Previous seal pups rescued Jethou Bumblebee was 17kg on entry and Hanois 20kg, Eden 18kg and Trinity 15kg which was less than half the 40kg they should have been for their age with Bonnie only 14kg.
Male grey seals reach sexual maturity at 6 years, Females at 3 to 5 years and the latter give birth to their pups in the Autumn and early Winter.
Typically the first British pups are born off the Scillies and Cornwall in August and September and the time of pupping is progressively later as you move clockwise around the British Isles, the latest pups being born off the east coast of Scotland in late December.
All seal pups rescued locally were born early November to late December.
At, birth, grey seal pups weigh about 13 kg. and are covered in long, creamy white hair. A bond is formed between mother and pup at birth, and a mother can recognise her pup from its call and smell. For the first 3 weeks of their lives, pups rarely swim, suckling from their mothers 5 to 6 times a day, for up to 10 minutes at a time. The mothers milk is rich in fat and the pups rapidly put on weight.
The seal pups rescued have all been around two to three weeks when they were brought into the GSPCA.
The mother tends to remain just offshore between suckling bouts and rarely feeds, losing up to a quarter of her body weight before her pup is weaned.
Grey seal pups are weaned after losing their baby coat at 3 to 4 weeks of age. At this point, they weigh 40 to 50 kg; three times their birth weight.
The pups live off these fat reserves whilst learning to feed, which may take several weeks.
The adult females which are called cows become fertile soon after weaning their pups, mating with the adult males which are called bulls, who hold territories during the breeding season and may mate with over half a dozen cows.
Mating can take place on land or in water and pregnancy last for 11.5 months, there being a period of 3.5 months when the fertilised embryo does not attached to the wall of the uterus and its development is arrested ("delayed implantation"). As a result, pups are born at the same time each year.
Grey seals moult annually in the spring, 3 to 5 months, after the end of the breeding season.
In the wild, males may live for about 25 years, females for about 35 years.
We will of course keep you up to date with Bonnie's progress and keep your eyes open for pictures and videos.
If anyone see's a pup with or without a mum we really do appreciate a call so that we are aware of its location and condition but here is some advice.
A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.
Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.
If a Seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.
If a Seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 day or night
When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:
Exact location; nearest town / village
Position on the beach, and state of the tide
How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
Length/colour/condition.
Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.
To see some of the previous stories follow the links below
Extremely sick and weak Grey Seal Pup rescued at Corbier now at the GSPCAhttp://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/extremely-sick-and-weak-grey-seal-pup-rescued-corbier-now-gspca
Have you got a GSPCA Hoody, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt or T-shirt? If not get yours by clicking 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.
Have you liked us on facebook yet or joined us on twitter?
ers to assist the reception staff in their duties to help respond to the inquiries and welfare calls.
Post new comment