GSPCA’s outbuildings damaged by storm
Thousands of pounds’ worth of damage was caused to outdoor enclosures and aviaries at the GSPCA as Storm Ciaran ripped through its headquarters in St Andrew’s yesterday morning.
No animals or crew on-site were injured.
Manager Steve Byrne said that he and his team had worked hard on Tuesday and Wednesday to get all of the animals in the shelter’s care indoors before the storm hit.
‘We were going from 10am until 6pm, and I was here overnight too,’ he said.
‘Thankfully all of the team and the animals are OK. It’s a bit cramped indoors, certainly more than we’d ideally like, but it obviously isn’t as bad as being out in the wind and rain.’
He said that one of the shelter’s bird houses was destroyed by a fallen horse chestnut tree. It had been home to chickens, other types of poultry, and wild birds, who were set to be released shortly. Another destroyed bird house, he said, was five times the size and had kept owls, buzzards and other larger birds.
‘It’s only been up for about two years so it’s very sad to see it all come down. Thousands of pounds’ worth of damage has been done – no doubt about it.’
He added that the shelter was expecting an influx of injured animals over the course of the next few days, and asked islanders who were calling the shelter about animals they had seen to be patient.
‘I’ve already heard about a cat and her kittens who are hiding out in a house somewhere. There will be lots more cases around the island on top of the hundreds of animals in our care already.
‘We’ll have to see what comes in.’
Those wishing to donate to the shelter’s repairs can do so online, or by calling 01481 257261
