At the GSPCA we have recently be contacted to help share Apollo’s story a 2 year old collie from Sark in need of life saving surgery.
Can you help Apollo? Donte here - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveapollo
Here is the story of Apollo from the owners -
‘Hello — I’m fundraising for my 2 year old dog Apollo. He is the sweetest, most affectionate companion you can imagine he is a cuddler, a gentle soul who lights up the room and has been by my side through everything. Apollo was born in Sark and has the kind of heart that makes everyone fall in love with him instantly. Right now he urgently needs life-saving surgery.
What’s wrong
Recent CT scans have shown that Apollo has a congenital vascular ring anomaly. In plain terms, some of the blood vessels around his heart are formed in a way that squeezes his esophagus. That constriction has caused a focal megaesophagus (a permanently enlarged, weak section of the swallowing tube) and there is retained food in his esophagus. Without surgery to relieve the constriction and restore Apollo’s ability to eat and prevent ongoing aspiration and complications, his quality of life will continue to decline — and his vet has warned that euthanasia will be necessary if this cannot be fixed.
What the funds will pay for
All money raised will go directly to Apollo’s veterinary care, including:
• The corrective surgery to release the vascular ring and relieve the esophageal constriction
• Hospitalization and post-operative care (fluids, pain relief, antibiotics)
• Ongoing treatment and monitoring for the megaesophagus (feeding support, medications, follow-ups)
• Any necessary scans, tests, and emergency care
Why I’m asking for help
I want Apollo to have every chance to recover and enjoy a full, happy life. I don’t have the funds to cover this emergency surgery and the follow-up care alone. Even a small donation will make a huge difference — and if you can’t donate, sharing this page with friends, family or animal groups would mean the world.
Thank you
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading Apollo’s story and for any support you can give — whether that’s a donation, a share, or words of encouragement. I will keep everyone updated on his progress.
With gratitude,
Ethan & Apollo’
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Sadly all pet owners will be aware of the costs of owning a pet rise each year and sadly when our animals become unwell or need surgery the veterinary costs can be challenging and in Apollo’s situation incredibly so and we are sharing his crowdfunding page to help his owners to support them in his care.”
“To donate to Apollo’s life saving surgery and care please visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveapollo .”
“At the GSPCA there isn’t a day that goes by when we are not taking animals to the vets for emergency care and we have many looking for homes with health issues and needing special homes.”
“In the UK the average lifetime cost for a dog is around £30,800, while for a cat it's £12,000 to £24,000, though these figures vary greatly by breed, size, and lifestyle and of course where you live.”
“If you are looking to adopt a rescue pet then please check out our webpage https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals which has all the details and the adoption questionnaire to complete but it is important to consider the costs and time they will need, to looking at pet insurance options in case of any surprise costs through your pets life.”
“Last year Agria partnered with Clegg Gifford in the Channel Islands to provide pet insurance.”
“Pet insurance is so important in these challenging times of rising costs and expensive vet bills.”
“There are many options out there to choose from.”
“We do not recommend any single pet insurance but we do encourage when looking at the options you ensure it is the best policy for you and your pet and it is always worth asking if they support a local animal welfare organisation as many can provide a code to donate but to the animal welfare charity in your area.”
“Clegg Gifford and Agria if you do mention GSPCA will donate to our 24/7 work so if you do choose this or any please do ask if they support an animal charity as part of their corporate social responsibility.”
Agria have also said on their website ‘Agria Pet Insurance has partnered with Clegg Gifford Channel Islands
Agria has been working hard in recent months to improve its offering to customers based in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and following a thorough selection process, has recently partnered with Clegg Gifford Channel Islands, a local insurance broker with over 25 years of experience providing insurance to Guernsey residents.
We do not doubt that partnering with such an experienced local insurance broker will result in an enhanced and more dedicated service for our Guernsey-based customers.
Clegg Gifford Channel Islands will administer your pet insurance policy. Please be assured that this does not affect your insurance coverage for your pet. Your vet fee claims will also continue to be handled by the experienced Agria Claims Team in Aylesbury.
Contact Clegg Gifford 01481 728987.’
To see more about Agria and Clegg Gifford please visit https://www.agriapet.co.uk/clegg-gifford-channel-islands-limited/
PLEASE NOTE - The GSPCA does not promote any specific Pet Insurance but whenever choosing a policy please do ask if there is any way they support a local animal rescue and ensure you check the policy is the best for you and your animal(s)
To see our youtube channel please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 11th November 2025 - Ref – Dog11/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses
- Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 18th November 2025 - Ref – Cat18/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses
- Careers and Skills Show 2025 19/20 November https://www.careers.gg/article/202061/Careers-and-Skills-Show-2025
- Christmas Term December 2025/January 2026 Possible Festive Tours
- GSPCA Purple Week 13th February to Friday 20th February 2026
- GSPCA Celebrates 143 years Saturday 14th February 2026
- Love Your Pet Day Friday 20th February 2026
- Half Term Tours February 2026 To be confirmed
- World Wildlife Day 3rd March 2026
- International Day of the Seal 22nd March 2026
- National Puppy Day 23rd March 2026
- Easter Tours March/April 2026 To be confirmed
- National Ferret Day 2nd April 2026
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 15th April 2026 Ref – Dog15/04
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 29th April 2026 Ref – Cat29/04
- Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday 3rd May 2026
- Charities Seafront Sunday 17th May 2026
- GSPCA Cupcake Week 15th to 22nd May 2026
- Half Term Tours May 2026 May 2026 To be confirmed
- Microchip Month June 2026
- Volunteers Week 1st – 7th June 2026
- Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday 26th June 2026
- Kitten Day 10th July 2026
- World Snake Day 16th July 2026
- Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
- Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23rd – 27th July 2026
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8th August 2026
- West Show 12th-13th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 19th-20th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or 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 .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“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 “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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