‘Every day is different and you never know what to expect’
TODAY marks 150 years since the establishment of Guernsey’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The team at the GSPCA will today be marking the anniversary with a purple-themed celebration and cake.
On 11 February 1873, a meeting was held to consider the formation of a society for the ‘suppression of cruelty to animals’, and three days later the GSPCA was established.
The patron of the society was the Lt-Governor at the time, Lt General Froome, and the Lt-Governor remains the patron today with Lt General Richard Cripwell.
In October 1929, the GSPCA purchased the site in St Andrew’s for £400 where the Animal Shelter is still based today.
‘Every day is different and you never know what to expect,’ said GSPCA manager Steve Byrne, who joined in August 2011.
‘There are some days that are really extreme in challenging environments but there are also lovely times, with animals finding loving homes.’
From Kodak the Tufted Capuchin monkey, to two young lion cubs, the GSPCA has seen its fair share of interesting animals.
It has also received reports of pine cones thought to be hedgehogs, plastic bags thought to be injured birds, and a fabric hand puppet thought to be an injured cat, which went viral in the media across the UK.
‘This is the most monumental year and we’ve got lots planned and lots of projects going on,’ said Mr Byrne.
‘Today is the first time vet nurse training will take place in the Channel Islands at the GSPCA, which will mean nurses don’t need to go to the UK as much.’
A dog first aid course is also being held today, and a new intake of volunteers will be starting
Other events throughout the year include the Puffin Parade with Autism Guernsey, and the launch of a new small animal area along with other parts of the redevelopment of the GSPCA.
