GSPCA Raises Concerns Over Potential Impact of GST on Animal Welfare Services, Animal Businesses and Pet Owners
The GSPCA has voiced its concerns regarding the potential impact that the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) could have on the charity, despite suggestions that charities themselves would not be directly affected by the new tax.
The tax would also impact on animal businesses and pet owners in particular who already have some of the highest costs of pet ownership in the British Isles.
While many people may assume that charities would be exempt from the proposed GST arrangements, the GSPCA has received confirmation from the States of Guernsey that some of its income-generating services, such as boarding, would fall within the scope of the proposed taxation should it be introduced.
The charity fears that this could not only affect vital revenue streams which help fund its animal welfare work but also create additional administrative burdens, potentially requiring extra staff hours to process and manage the new tax system.
The GSPCA currently operates a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week animal welfare service for the Bailiwick and is facing annual running costs approaching £1.5 million per year. At the same time, the charity continues to fundraise for the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, a project now expected to cost around £4 million to deliver essential new facilities for Guernsey's animals and wildlife.
Like many charities and businesses, the GSPCA has seen significant increases in operating costs in recent years. These include increased pension contributions, rising utility and living costs, minimum wage increases, waste charges, licensing requirements and numerous additional pressures both from government policy and wider economic factors.
Earlier this year the GSPCA also paid £450 for new boarding licences required under upcoming regulations, adding to the growing list of costs faced by the charity.
Despite these increasing financial pressures, the GSPCA continues to work hard to keep costs under control while maintaining its vital services for sick, injured, abandoned and unwanted animals across the Bailiwick.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, said:
"Every penny really does make a difference to the GSPCA. Our annual running costs are now approaching £1.5 million and, when compared to 2019, the cost of operating the charity has almost doubled. At the same time, we are working hard to deliver the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, which is now expected to cost around £4 million.”
"Over recent years we have faced significant increases in costs through pension changes, increases in the minimum wage, rising utility and living costs, waste charges, licences and many other financial pressures. We have even had to pay new boarding licence fees to the States as part of forthcoming regulations.”
"Whilst it has been said that GST will not affect charities, we have been advised that services such as boarding would potentially fall within the proposed taxation system. This means not only an impact on income that helps fund our animal welfare work, but also additional administration which could require further staff time and resources to manage.”
"The GSPCA fed back its concerns to the States of Guernsey in December last year and we are still awaiting a reply. We fully appreciate the financial challenges facing the island, but we remain concerned about any measures that could place further pressure on charities already dealing with substantial increases in operating costs.”
“With more than 10,000 dog owners and 10,000 cat owners not to mention all the other pet owners the proposed tax will impact each of us from the services we all need as pet owners to their feed.”
"We are incredibly grateful to our kind and supportive community. Without the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, businesses and donors, we simply could not continue to provide the 24/7 animal welfare services that so many animals and people rely upon."
The GSPCA is encouraging islanders to continue supporting local charities and community organisations as cost pressures continue to increase across the voluntary sector.
For more information on the GSPCA and the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, please visit www.gspca.org.gg.
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
- 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
- Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10th April 2027
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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