GSPCA Team Takes Part in Blue Cross Pet Loss Training
Over 20 members of the GSPCA team, including staff, volunteers and placements, took part in a valuable online Pet Loss Training session earlier today delivered by the Blue Cross.
The webinar was led by Lisanne McEvoy from the Blue Cross, who spoke to the team about pet loss, bereavement, the stages of grief, and the many ways individuals and organisations can support those experiencing the loss of a beloved pet. The session also focused on the importance of self-care and supporting colleagues and fellow volunteers who are regularly exposed to loss and difficult situations through their work.
Most of those attending joined the webinar together from the GSPCA, creating an opportunity for discussion and reflection following the training.
At the GSPCA, training and development are an important part of the organisation's work, with regular Wednesday morning training sessions, team meetings and guest speakers helping staff, volunteers and placements continue to learn and develop their skills.
Sadly, loss is something the GSPCA team encounters on a daily basis. Through its rescue work the charity regularly deals with injured, sick and deceased animals, and currently staff are responding to the devastating impact of myxomatosis among Guernsey's wild rabbit population.
The charity also supports more than 1,500 families each year through its pet cremation service and assists an estimated 150 to 300 cat owners annually whose beloved pets have been killed on Guernsey's roads.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:
"Pet loss is something that affects almost all of us at some point in our lives and it can have a profound impact on individuals and families. Through our rescue work, wildlife care and pet cremation service, our team supports people facing loss every single day.”
"It is important that we continue to develop our understanding of grief and bereavement so we can offer compassionate support to those who need our services. Just as importantly, we must also make sure we look after ourselves and one another, as regularly dealing with loss can be emotionally challenging.”
"We are very grateful to Lisanne McEvoy and the Blue Cross for taking the time to deliver today's training session. It was informative, thought-provoking and provided practical advice that will help our staff, volunteers and placements both professionally and personally.”
"Training is incredibly important for the GSPCA team. Every week we aim to provide opportunities to learn, share experiences and develop new skills, helping us deliver the very best service possible to the animals and people who rely on us."
The GSPCA would like to thank the Blue Cross and Lisanne McEvoy for the training and ongoing support.
Not only at the GSPCA do we have a Memorial Garden, we also have a Chapel of Rest on site and have the Pet Bereavement Advice Page https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/pet-bereavement-advice-page
For information on our Pet Cremation Service please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/pet-cremation-services
For GSPCA staff and volunteers, below are the currently planned training sessions, meetings and events. These are subject to change as additional speakers and opportunities are confirmed. The majority are planned for 10.30am:
Upcoming GSPCA Training, Events and Meetings
- 12th August – Pet First Aid and Health Check Training
- 15th August – South Show Fun Dog Show
- 19th/20th August – West Show
- 26th/27th August – North Show
- 2nd September – Customer Care & Working With Others
- 9th September – Rehoming Training
- 16th September – Team Meeting
- 23rd September – Hand Rearing Training
- 30th September – Welfare, Legislation and Investigation Training
- 7th October – Coaching, Placements, Work Experience and Volunteers
- 14th October – Animal Behaviour Training
- 21st October – Team Meeting
- 28th October – Mental Health Training and Awareness
- 4th November – Medications and COSHH Training
- 11th November – GSPCA Strategy, Vision, Objectives and What Can We Do?
- 18th November – Team Meeting including Discussions on Moving into the New Build
- 25th November – Home Visiting and Pet Checks
- 2nd December – Fundraising and Cost Saving Brainstorm
- 9th December – Oiled Bird Training
- December (date to be confirmed) – Wildlife Hospital Tour
- 16th December – Guided Tour Training
- 23rd December – Team Meeting
- 30th December – Department Health and Safety Reviews
- 6th January – Cruelty Investigation Training
- 13th January – Isolation & Zoonotic Disease Training
- 20th January – Team Meeting
- 27th January – Wildlife Department Training
- 3rd February – Kennel Department Training
- 10th February – Cattery Department Training
- 17th February – Small Animal Department Training
- 24th February – Team Meeting
- 3rd March – Reception Training
- 10th March – Out of Hours and Manning the Front Training
- 17th March – Emergency Protocol Training
- 24th March – Team Meeting
- 31st March – Adoption and Home-to-Home Training
- 7th April – Social Media Training
- 14th April – Farm and Equine Training
- 21st April – Stray Training
- 28th April – Team Meeting
- 5th May – Data Protection Training
If any staff member, volunteer, supporter or organisation has ideas for future training sessions or would be interested in delivering a session to the GSPCA team, please get in touch. The charity is always keen to learn, share knowledge and continue improving the support it provides to both animals and the community.
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
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 15th August 2026
- West Show 19th-20th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 26th-27th 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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