Wednesday 22nd March International Day of the Seal – GSPCA Seal Update and reminder to stay away from those in the wild

Wednesday 22^nd March is International Day of the Seal and with 6 in our care and 2 recently released the GSPCA has seen more seals in our care in recent years than ever before.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Wednesday 22^nd March is International Day of the Seal and with 6 in our care at the GSPCA and every year those in the Channel Islands needing our help during pup season there are many ways to support their care.”

“With the need of a new Wildlife Hospital to sponsoring their care each month to making a one of donation to a gift in your will there are many ways to make a real difference to help seal pups and the many other wild animals we help every day.”

“We also want to repeat our message that sadly seals around the UK have sadly been affected by avian bird flu.”

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust urged members of the public to stay away from all dead animals which wash up on beaches including seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales and sea birds. There has also been cases of bird flu in a dolphin in Devon, the Trust said on its website.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust have said -

‘The general public are advised against approaching and interacting with seals in the UK, even when the animals are in danger or distress.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust are also urging all members of the public to stay away from all dead animals, which wash into our beaches, including seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales and, of course, sea birds.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Strandings Network (MSN) are, however, taking extra precautions within the project, which will sit alongside our high standards of health and safety.

It is now mandatory for all volunteers attending strandings to wear face masks and wear protective eyewear in addition to their usual PPE (disposable gloves and full waterproofs which must be disinfected after use) and cleaning processes.’

As these cases are so close to our shores the GSPCA like Cornwall Wildlife Trust also urge members of the public to not approach any dead stranded animals and to report it to Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services by emailing [email protected] or calling 01481 227000.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager continued “It is terrible to hear of the recent news of 5 deceased seals found on the Cornwall coast with avian bird flu.”

“There were also recent cases of seals in Scotland with Avian Bird Flu and we have highlighted to our team and other Channel Island organisations and vets heightened precautions if called out to injured seals to lower any risks to team members.”

“We currently have 6 seal pups at the GSPCA all of which have been with us for over 6 weeks and their pools are covered so thankfully the risk to those in our care is extremely low.”

“Saying that there are still young pups around the coast and we will have to take care if we are called out to any and urge the public not to approach a seal whether alive or deceased but if alive and concerned to call us on 257261 or if deceased contact the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services by emailing [email protected] or calling 01481 227000.”

“As far as we know there have never been reports of Bird Flu transmitting from seals to humans, or vice versa, in the UK.”

“Bird flu continues to be identified in commercial poultry across the British Isles in recent months so it is very important to also take care when handling any sick or injured birds and again you can call us on 257261 for advice.”

“We are currently fund raising for a new Wildlife Hospital to help the 1000’s of wild animals through our doors and celebrating 150 years and to find out more ways to support this and other projects please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years .”

The GSPCA were recently delighted to announce that planning has been approved for a new Wildlife Hospital at the GSPCA and you can help this much needed facility become a reality from Buying a Brick to becoming a Build Partner.

Could you Buy a Brick? We can put the certificate and Engraved Brick in the name of a friend, in memory, your company or a loved one and there are a number of goodies you will get as part of this kind gift helping us build for the future to help wildlife in Guernsey.

We now have permission which includes demolishing a number of very old buildings one of which dates back to the 1940’s.

We really need your help. We have raised an amazing £300,000 towards the estimated costs for the facility which are approximately £2,000,000 to build the GSPCA Wildlife Hospital and to remove the old buildings.

There are a number of ways you can help including the Buy a Brick such as donating to this much needed project or could your group, trust or business help in much bigger ways –

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

To become a larger donors or as a corporate you 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

The next step is go to tender, but for those wanting to help in much larger ways here are the estimated costs for some of the facilities that make up the £2,000,000 –

• Demolitions £70,000
• Sub-structure £80,000
• Drainage £99,000
• Slab £160,000
• Roof £263,000
• External Walls £180,000
• Glazing to whole build £70,000
• Each rehabilitation room £40,000
• Central feed kitchen £35,000
• Each marine rehabilitation room and access to pool £30,000
• Rehabilitation Pool – to be confirmed
• Rehabilitation aviaries/pens - £15-20,000 each
• Receiving office where the public can drop animals off and they can be admitted and entered into the system - £25-30,000

With 6 seals currently at the GSPCA and over 120 hedgehogs, not to mention many other injured birds and wild rabbits you would think the GSPCA is extremely busy and you would be correct.

The new Wildlife Hospital will help house the 2500+ wildlife that come through the GSPCA doors each year and with our environment a major concern a facility that would help benefit future generations. 

To see videos of the seal pups please check out https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA/videos

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .

Some grey seal facts -

• Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
• A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
• A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
• Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
• Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
• Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
• Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
• There are 18 known species of seal in the world
• Many sick seal pups need tube feeding every 2-3 hours day and night on arrival
• The seal pups in our care once eating will consume 20-30 herring or mackerel each day
• We aim for a release weight in excess of 40 kg, with good weather and a remote location
• The GSPCA has returned 23 seals back to the wild in the last ten years

For advice on what to do if you see or find sick or injured wildlife please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice or call 01481 257261

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)

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023

In February the GSPCA launch GSPCA Purple Month where we kick off our 150 year celebrations 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 -

Are you supporting the GSPCA our 150th year? Here are a few ways you could get involved | GSPCA Guernsey

Wednesday 29^th March 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

March 2023 – Adopt a Rescue Guinea Pig Month

Wednesday 22^nd March - International Day of the Seal

Thursday 23^rd March 2023 – National Puppy Day

April 2023 – Easter Virtual Pet Show

Sunday 2^nd April – National Ferret Day

Tuesday 4^th April 2023 – World Rat Day

Tuesday 25^th April 2023 – World Penguin Day

April 2022 Autism Guernsey and GSPCA Puffin Parade Launch – Date to be Confirmed https://puffinparade.org.gg/

April 2023 – AGM – Date to be Confirmed

May 2023 - International Respect for Chickens Month

7^th May 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

Friday 12^th May to Friday 19^th May GSPCA 150^th Year Cupcake Week

Sunday 21^st May 2023 150^th Year Celebrations & Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday

Tuesday 23^rd May 2023 International Turtle Day

Tuesday 30^th May – International Hug Your Cat Day

Wednesday 31^st May 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

June 2023 – National Microchipping Month

June 2023 – 150^th Year Sponsored Dog Walk – Date to be Confirmed

4^th June 2023 Arts Seafront Sunday

10^th June 2023 Saffrey Rotary Walk https://safferyrotarywalk.org.gg/

Summer 2023 – Summer Sunday Family Lunch

Wednesday 14^th June 2023 – World Sea Turtle Day

Sunday 25^th June 2023 – Guernsey Charities Fete

25^th June 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

Friday 23^rd June 2023 - Take Your Dog To Work Day

June 26^th to July 3^rd 2023 – National Rabbit Week

Wednesday 12^th July 2023 – Volunteer Induction Evening

Sunday 16^th July 2023 – World Snake Day

6^th August 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

13^th August 2023 EDABL Seafront Sunday

Monday 14^th August 2023 – World Lizard Day

August 2023 – West Show

August 2023 – North Show

September 2023 - World Animal Remembrance Month

GSPCA 150^th Year Ball – Date to be Confirmed

24^th September 2023 St Johns Ambulance Seafront Sunday

Wednesday 13^th September 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

October 2023 - World Animal Month

Wednesday 4^th October 2023 - World Animal Day

Wednesday 25^th October 2023 - Volunteer Induction Evening

Wednesday 8^th November 2023 – GSPCA Dog First aid Course

Wednesday 15^th November 2023 – GSPCA Cat First aid Course

Wednesday 22^nd November 2023 – Volunteer Induction Evening

Monday 4^th December 2023 – World Wildlife Conservation Day

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to celebrate our 150 years please get in touch…………..