Today after many months of work, countless volunteers, supporters and businesses, amazing donations and support the GSPCA officially opened the new Chapel of Rest and revamped Memorial Garden.
During a beautiful Spring type day in the Guernsey sun, with blooming daffodils and other early flowers visitors, supporters and local media attended this momentous occasion.
Every year the GSPCA helps over 1000 pet owners through the loss and death of their beloved pets and thanks to so many there is now a lovely area to help pet owners through this difficult time at the GSPCA.
The new Chapel of Rest is an area where those that want to spend the last moments with their pet can do so and is a private area with an altar so that grieving owners can have some private moments at what is always a difficult time.
The Memorial Garden is a wonderful area which so many have helped create. From the Work to Benefit team to the amazing Ann Wragg there have been a wide range of groups and helpers that have helped with the grounds work and incredible donations.
One of the biggest supports has been Le Friquet Garden Centre who have helped with thousands of pounds worth of plants and other items to help develop what we have today and two of their team kindly attended the event to help cut the ribbon to let the first official visitors to this area which is open to the public 7 days a week between 11am and 4pm.
This wonderful event all took place on the last day of #GSPCAPurpleWeek which has been the week where at the GSPCA we have been celebrating 146 years since being founded.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We had an amazing afternoon today officially opening our Chapel of Rest and Memorial Garden on what was the last day of our #GSPCAPurpleWeek .”
“We had a fantastic turn out with many visitors and some even had 4 legs.”
“We had supporters, volunteers, staff, media, some that have helped create the new areas, donators, many of our team and a few dogs all watched the opening with Le Friquet Garden Centre and got a good look around.”
“The number of people, businesses and groups that have helped us create what we now have for bereaved pet owners is incredible and words really do not justify the thanks we wish to convey to all that have helped in anyway.”
Tim Pellett GSPCA Community and Training Officer said “We have been working on the Memorial Garden and Chapel of Rest for many months and were still adding finishing touches right up until we opened it and it doesn’t stop there.”
“We need to carry on looking after this area and we are always looking for gardening volunteers.”
“We have recently had mental health training from Guernsey Mind and have further training with Guernsey Bereavement Service later this month and this area will hopefully help the Guernsey community during difficult times when a pet dies.”
Steve continued “We help over 1000 pet owners every year in Guernsey through the death of their pets as we provide a cremation service as well as helping over 200 road traffic accident animals every year and the team at the GSPCA strive to ensure we do our very best for each family through what is always a difficult time.”
“Hopefully these areas will help those that come to us have a quiet space at the GSPCA and the Chapel is a lovely area where those wanting to spend the last moments with their beloved pet can do so and they are welcome to share that area with their family and friends before their pets are cremated or they take them home to be buried, as if having a ceremony if they wish to do so.”
“We all know at the GSPCA how hard it is when a much loved pet is no longer with us and we really hope these areas will help those during these difficult times.”
“Just after 230pm we said a few words and a lot of thanks to so many that helped make the Chapel of Rest and Memorial Garden a reality, everyone enjoyed the refreshments, the wonderful weather and the feedback we had was incredible.”
“Thank you to everyone that attended to help make the opening such a very special event.”
“There are areas at the GSPCA that you can view animals for a minimum donation of £2 but this area will not require a visitor ticket as we want to support bereaved pet owners during that difficult time and the Memorial Garden will be open 7 days a week between 11am and 4pm.”
“We are looking at heart shaped plaques for pet owners to remember their pets in the Memorial Garden and will have further details very soon.”
To visit the Guernsey Bereavement Service website please go to http://www.guernseybereavementservice.com/
To see the GSPCA page on helping bereaved pet owners please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/pet-bereavement-advice-page .
If you would like to know more about how you can support this project progress or any questions please call 01481 257261 or email [email protected]
You can donate via our giving.gg page or create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To donate to Mambo, Sealia, Gully, Andy and Marty the seal pups please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4617/Help-the-seal-pups-at-the-GSPCA or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups
To donate to help Harley the staffys life saving operations Just Giving page please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4622/Please-help-Harley-s-operation-and-care
To visit the Just Giving page raising funds for life saving Intensive Care Units please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gspcaintensivecare or to buy one directly for the Shelter please visit https://brinsea.co.uk/small-animal-care/tlc-intensive-care-incubators/tlc-30-advance/
To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf
To download a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf
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 learn about the ‘Buy a Brick’ in the new Wildlife Hospital and find out more please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launch-buy-brick-proposed-new-wildlife-hospital
To learn more about our biggest project, become an Exclusive Build Partner and support our Wildlife Hospital please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner
To donate to the animals in our care another via our paypal page - www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
If you would like to help at one of our upcoming events please give Michelle a call on 257261 or email [email protected]
To see some of the animals looking for homes at the GSPCA please visit – http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
Another way to support us is our on site Charity Shop and refreshment area and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-onsite-charity-shop
If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days
For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship
On Tuesday 5th March we have a volunteer induction evening and for more information and additional induction dates please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To see our upcoming guided tours please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/guided-tours-gspca
To see our Wish List on our website please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
To visit our Amazon Wish list please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
For lots more ideas on how you can support the shelter and the animals in our care then please visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
To find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
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