‘We rely on the help of our emergency services’
THE GSPCA has been busier than ever since the recovery from Covid, its latest AGM heard.
President John Knight said that the society, in its 150th year, was looking to put Covid behind it.
'As we come out from the restrictions of the pandemic, we have been even busier than normal in almost all sectors,' he said.
Kennels and cattery occupation is up, and more wildlife cases are also being dealt with. It plans to seek tenders for its wildlife unit later this year. The animal shelter deals with 2,500-3,000 wildlife cases each year.
'Fortunately, the number of welfare and cruelty cases have not significantly increased and remain around our normal level,' Mr Knight added.
The veterinary nurse training centre at the GSPCA has made it easier for people in the Channel Islands to get a formal qualification in veterinary nursing and it will soon welcome students from Jersey.
GSPCA treasurer Louise Gambrell presented the accounts, which revealed that the society's income from legacies fell more than £2m. compared to 2021.
Other donations increased, but fundraising fell.
Various awards were distributed to staff including a long service award for Yvonne Chauvel, who has been member of the team for more than 25 years.
An outstanding support to animal rescue award was presented to Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service, cliff rescue and the RNLI inshore life boat, for their assistance.
‘We help to rescue thousands of animals every year, but there are some we aren’t able to do ourselves like Albie the dog recently rescued on the cliffs,’ said GSPCA manager Steve Byrne.
‘In these circumstances, we rely on the help of our emergency services.
'A huge thank you to all in this room and to all that help ensure we do so much 24/7 for the animals and the community here in Guernsey.'
