BBC Radio Guernsey Broadcasts Live from the GSPCA Animal Shelter as Staff, Volunteers and Animals Take Centre Stage
Yesterday, the GSPCA welcomed BBC Radio Guernsey to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews for a special live broadcast between 10am and 2pm, hosted by broadcasters Steph Watkins and Isla Blatchford.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne took the team on a full behind‑the‑scenes tour where they explored the work of the charity, met residents across the site, and saw first‑hand the progress of the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – including the new Wildlife Hospital, now over halfway through construction as the charity continues vital fundraising for the next phases.
A Day Meeting Animals, Staff, Volunteers and Visitors
During their visit, Steph and Isla met a wide range of animals currently at the Shelter, including:
- Seal pups Blizzard, Iceberg Lettuce, Ice Ice Baby and Icicle
- African Grey Parrots Pop and Olly, who are seeking a new forever home
- Pascal the peacock, who has now been matched with a suitable home
- Mr B, a blind elderly cat receiving specialist care
- Percival the oiled puffin said hello from his little home and is recovering well
- Several kittens, ferrets, rabbits, tortoises, and many of the animals in boarding
- They also saw a number of dogs being walked and pets being collected, witnessing the day‑to‑day operations of the busy Shelter
Isla went a step further, volunteering with the Dog Team to help walk Rogue, a French Bulldog requiring a £3,000 operation, and later joined Senior Animal Care Assistant Seb Goman to help clean a kennel as part of the broadcast.
Throughout the tour, Steve Byrne spoke about the GSPCA’s animal welfare work, local rescues, seasonal challenges, and the charity’s plans for the future as developments continue on the site.
BBC Guernsey’s Purple Chair Arrives for Its First Stop
The team also brought the travelling BBC Guernsey Purple Chair, which is making its first stops around the island as part of promoting the Make A Difference Awards—open for public nominations until Tuesday 31st March.
The GSPCA has previously been nominated for the awards, and staff member Geoff George is a former finalist.
During the visit:
- Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager
- Ali Le Huray Supervisor
- and volunteer Emily
all took turns in the Purple Chair, sharing stories of how others have made a difference to them.
To vote check out https://www.bbc.co.uk/makeadifference/awards/
Beautiful Weather, Wonderful Conversations & Generous Support
The broadcast took place on a sunny and vibrant day, and both Steph and Isla said how much they enjoyed meeting the animals, team, and supporters. They closed the show by thanking Steve and everyone at the GSPCA for their hospitality and for the charity’s ongoing work in the community.
Listeners responded generously during and after the show, with donations made towards Rogue’s care and the wider work of the GSPCA.
Those who missed the live broadcast can listen again at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rrnt
Supporting the GSPCA & the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal
The GSPCA continues fundraising for the new Wildlife Hospital and other essential facilities being developed under the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal. Support can be shown in many ways, including:
- Buying a Brick
- Sponsoring a Room or Solar Panel
- Sponsoring a Kennel or Ferret Pen
- Donating directly to help animals like Rogue via giving.gg
For more information, visit www.gspca.org.gg or follow the GSPCA on social media.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said ‘It was a real pleasure welcoming Steph and Isla from BBC Radio Guernsey to the GSPCA. They brought such positive energy to the Shelter, and it was fantastic to share our work, our challenges, and our hopes for the future with their listeners. Being able to show them the progress of the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, introduce them to the incredible animals in our care, and highlight the dedication of our staff and volunteers means a huge amount to us.
We are especially grateful for the kindness shown by those who made donations during the broadcast, including support for Rogue who urgently needs a £3,000 operation. Every act of generosity helps us continue our work and move closer to completing the new Wildlife Hospital and other critical facilities.
Steph and Isla were wonderful guests, and we’re so thankful to the BBC Guernsey team for shining a light on the GSPCA and the amazing community around us.’
To support our work here are a few ways –
To see our youtube channel and a VT of the seal pups 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
- 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
- EDABL Seafront Sunday 26th April 2026
- 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
- Guernsey Together Saturday 13th June 2026
- EDABL Seafront Sunday 21st 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
- EDABL Seafront Sunday 19th 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
- EDABL Seafront Sunday 30th 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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