Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement: Yvonne Chauvel Wins National Animal Welfare Award

Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement: Yvonne Chauvel Wins National Animal Welfare Award

Last Thursday evening in Telford, at the prestigious ADCH & Petplan Animal Welfare Charity Awards, the GSPCA family had a truly special moment to celebrate. With over 600 attendees gathered and the awards presented by well-known personality Pete Wicks, it was a night dedicated to recognising excellence across the sector—and one extraordinary individual stood out above them all.

We are incredibly proud to share that Yvonne Chauvel has been named the ADCH and Petplan Animal Welfare Charity Employee of the Year, an honour made even more remarkable by the fact that the awards received over 10,000 nominations from across the UK, Ireland and Islands.

A Lifetime of Dedication

Yvonne’s achievement is the result of an astonishing 30+ years of unwavering commitment to the GSPCA. At 78 years young, she continues in her full-time role as Supervisor, embodying passion, resilience, and dedication every single day.

Known for being among the first to arrive and the last to leave, Yvonne has become a cornerstone of the organisation—someone who leads not just by instruction, but by example.

Over the decades, she has played a vital role in some of the most challenging and defining moments in animal welfare, including helping care for wildlife impacted by the Sea Empress oil disaster. Her experience, calmness under pressure, and instinctive compassion have helped shape the GSPCA into what it is today.

Inspiring Generations

Beyond her hands-on work, Yvonne’s legacy is also seen in the countless people she has guided along the way. From staff and volunteers to placements and future animal welfare professionals, Yvonne has dedicated herself to mentoring, teaching, and supporting others.

Her patience, wisdom, and infectious work ethic have inspired generations—and continue to do so.

A Proud History of Recognition

This award also highlights the GSPCA’s strong presence on the national stage. Yvonne’s recognition follows a proud history:

• Yvonne herself was a finalist in 2014
• Geoff George was a finalist in 2017
• Beckie Bailey became the first ever GSPCA winner in 2019

Each milestone reflects the incredible people behind the organisation—and Yvonne’s win adds another shining chapter.

A Special Moment

Yvonne was joined at the awards by her niece and GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne, sharing a deeply emotional and well-deserved moment.

Speaking after receiving the award, Yvonne said:

“I’ve been with GSPCA for 30 years, and it’s been wonderful, and to now be given this award, for a passion that I’ve had for so many years… I’m overwhelmed and just thrilled.”

Words from Steve Byrne

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne, who is also a former ADCH trustee and continues as a volunteer with the organisation, shared his pride in Yvonne’s incredible achievement:

“Yvonne is simply an inspiration to us all. Her dedication to animal welfare spans decades, from responding to major incidents like the Sea Empress disaster to her everyday commitment here at the GSPCA. She has given so much of her life to helping animals and supporting people—coaching, mentoring, and guiding countless staff, volunteers, and placements over the years.

Even now, she is often the first to arrive and the last to leave, setting a standard that inspires everyone around her. To see her recognised on a national stage, from over 10,000 nominations, is absolutely incredible and so richly deserved. We are all immensely proud of her.”

A Moment to Celebrate

Yvonne’s achievement is not only a personal milestone but a celebration for the entire GSPCA community and the wider animal welfare sector. Her story reminds us all of the difference one dedicated individual can make—and the lifelong impact of compassion, commitment, and care.

To learn more about the awards, visit: https://www.petplan.co.uk/campaign/charity-awards.html

See the moment Yvonne was presented to Pete Wicks and gave him a kiss www.facebook.com/reel/1407242384503531/?s=single_unit  

See the team give her a cheer www.facebook.com/reel/1546241713739787/?s=single_unit  

Congratulations, Yvonne—your GSPCA family couldn’t be prouder.

Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal

To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

To see animals looking for new homes

https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals

To see our youtube channel and lots of videos 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

• Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 29th April 2026  Ref – Cat29/04
• Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday 3^rd May 2026
• Hedgehog Awareness Week 3^rd – 9^th May 2026
• Liberation Day Ball at The Duke with Sidneys Sponsored Events
• Charities Seafront Sunday 17^th May 2026
• GSPCA Cupcake Week 15^th to 22^nd May 2026
• Half Term Tours May 2026 May 2026 To be confirmed
• Microchip Month June 2026
• Volunteers Week 1^st – 7^th June 2026
• Guernsey Together Saturday 13^th June 2026
• Classic Vehicle Show Sunday 21^st June 2026
• Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday 26^th June 2026
• Viaer Marchi Monday 6^th July 2026
• Kitten Day 10^th July 2026
• World Snake Day 16^th July 2026
• Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
• Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23^rd – 27^th July 2026
• Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
• South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8^th August 2026
• West Show 12^th-13^th August 2026
• World Lizard Day 14^th August 2026
• North Show 19^th-20^th August 2026
• International Dog Day 26^th August 2026
• World Animal Month October 2026
• World Animal Day 4^th October 2026
• Feral Cat Day 16^th October 2026
• National cat Day 29^th 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 4^th 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.”