Over the last month the GSPCA have been advertising the opportunity for Guernsey Election Candidates to visit the GSPCA to find out about the 24/7 work we carry out helping our community, animals and working with many of the States departments extremely closely.
Of the first three events this week open for Candidates to visit only one has attended so we set additional dates and delighted to announce last week 20 Candidates and current Deputies attended the GSPCA and this Wednesday a further 7 came along.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Although the first 3 events we held at the GSPCA to invite those standing for election to discuss our work, animal welfare challenges and more importantly our manifesto were poorly attended last week we were delighted with the 20 candidates and current Deputies that came along and this Wednesday we met a further 7.”
“It was a wonderful to discuss with those standing and explain our challenges and frustrations, the dangers we can find ourselves in to financial issues from increased costs to our BIGGEST BUILD.”
“We realise it must be a busy time for Election Candidates and it was so kind for so many to come along.”
“Although we have no formal dates set for any further group visits but any candidates wishing to pop along for a chat and tour please do email me via steve@gspca.org.gg .”
“The opportunity isn’t just a chance to look and learn about much of what we do but also discuss the real challenges we face and the community 24/7.”
“Each of those that came along were provided with copies of and we discussed our Manifesto.”
“We chatted about the many challenges we face at the GSPCA, plans for the future, concerns from the public, safety issues in helping lose farms animals and equines to disease concerns from the 100’s of animals that are brought in from countries outside of the British isles.”
“We didn’t have time to get around the whole site but show cased some key areas.”
“We discussed the survey on fireworks that has had an incredible response to microchipping and the challenges it causes when animals have no identification.”
“With the upcoming election there many other laws and animal welfare concerns the GSPCA has and we have produced the manifesto to highlight key items that need to be addressed to improve animal welfare, safety in our island and help the whole community, not to mention the animals.”
On Wednesday 18th June 2025 the Guernsey Elections will take place now the Candidates have registered.
The GSPCA are an integral part of island life helping animals and the community 24/7.
From education to investigating cruelty, working with a huge range of organisations and departments to rescuing animals, boarding to cremations, strays and so much more the GSPCA 152 years since being founded are busier now than ever with the BIGGEST BUILD upcoming in our long history.
To see our GSPCA Manifesto to learn more about us and our challenges please click here - https://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/2025%20Manifesto%20%283%29_0.pdf
Steve Byrne continues “At the GSPCA we work so hard 24/7 and support the island in so many ways from helping the animals to supporting our community.”
“With candidates registered we continue to share our manifesto with some of the key challenges we see and experience so those standing are aware of the animal welfare issues and challenges charities face.”
“The challenges we face range from funding our BIGGEST BUILD to increasing costs including additional charges from the States of Guernsey, as mentioned firework concerns to animal identification, escaped farm animals and horses to protections for animals like nesting birds and bats.”
“We have all had to endure the pandemic and disease threats are a real concern as are challenges with bureaucracy.”
Our BIGGEST CHALLENGES & CONCERNS
- Building for the future, the GSPCA are about to start our BIGGEST BUILD is our history at a cost of £3,700,000
- New animal welfare licencing - we are concerned about the star rating proposed as we feel that all businesses should ensure the correct care is given to all animals. We are also concerned in regards extra charges these are going to cost charities
- Fireworks - our largest ever survey took place last year after one of the busiest firework periods in many years with a huge amount of concerns for welfare for not just animals about the numbers of fireworks that took place
- Microchipping/Animal ID - we still do not have compulsory microchipping which causes challenges every year reuniting lost, stray & injured animals with up to 300 cats hit by cars every year
- Dangers from loose farm animals - every week the GSPCA respond to large equine and farm animals loose on our roads which cause real safety concerns often with no way to identify the owners quickly
- Dog faeces - every year we receive complaints of concerned islanders over dog waste not picked up
- Nesting Birds and Bats - every year we have calls of concern of potential interreference with nesting birds and bat roosts
- Birds of Prey - with suspicious deaths of birds of prey reported stronger protection is needed
- We would love to use more green energy and be more environmentally friendly
- Disease threats - the numbers of animals brought in from countries with potential zoonotic diseases is a real concern
- Running costs - with high rises in the cost of living, supplies, pensions the GSPCA has to raise over £1,400,000 annually
- Education in animal welfare is key for the next generation
- Challenges from bureaucracy, red tape and Brexit
There are many other challenges but these highlights hopefully give you an indication of some of our key concerns.
Tim Pellett GSPCA Community and training Officer said “It was great to see so many candidates attend the GSPCA over the recent weeks and next week I am showing another around and chatting about all we do and the challenges we face.”
“During the last election we saw many candidates come visit us and learn about our work at the GSPCA and we hope these extra dates will encourage those standing to come and visit.”
“We do so much for so many like my role which is predominantly working with Social Security to help unemployed individuals with work and voluntary opportunities at the GSPCA to help get them into or back into the work place.”
“We have helped 100’s of placements through the Work 2 Benefit scheme and 1000’s more with other opportunities in recent years.”
“There are many challenges we face as the GSPCA and this is a fantastic opportunity to learn more and how if elected they can help make a real difference.”
“We are hoping to see lots more next week at the next event.”
To see many more events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
Steve continued “With the Guernsey Election fast approaching we recently launched our Manifesto as did the Association of Guernsey Charities which you can see their document here https://www.charity.org.gg/Uploads_about/Manifesto2025Final.pdf and to see our GSPCA Manifesto check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/2025%20Manifesto%20%283%29_0.pdf .”
“As well as our specific manifesto we are inviting candidates in for tours and chats which lead into the wider picture of the challenges the island charities face and animal welfare issues and we hope the incoming Deputies can support the charitable sector who #withoutus as has been promoted the island would look an incredibly different place and to book a slot please email me via steve@gspca.org.gg .”
“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 .”
“The Dolphin Discovery Trail treasure hunt app is now live until the end of August and to find all 62 dolphins download the Turfhunt app and use the code EADASD or zoom in on Guernsey and if you get all dolphins with a picture you will be entered into a prize draw with the current top prize an iwatch but additional prizes very welcome and we are looking for a sponsor for the app.”
“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 or support Autism Guernsey https://www.autismguernsey.org.gg/ .”
“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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