Submitted by Steve on 21:00, 2nd Oct, 2020 | 0

Each morning this week Candidates from the 2020 Election visited the GSPCA and over the 5 days we welcomed 23 of the 118 Candidates who kindly took time as part of their Campaign to visit us here in St Andrews.

On Monday Yves Le Normand, Craig Bougord and Simon de la Mare had a tour of the GSPCA with Manager Steve Byrne and Training and Community Officer Tim Pellett and Tuesday was the turn of Steve Falla and Sian Jones, Wednesday we welcomed Simon Fairclough, Garry Collins, Charles Parkinson, Sarah Breton, Neil Cave, Sam Haskins and Ivan Rihoy and Thursday we had the pleasure of Nigel Chescoe, Nick Moakes, Jane Le Ber, Luke Tough, Elaine Mahy, Michael Beaumont and some family members. For the final day we welcomed Clint Gardner, Lester Queripel, Tina Bury, John Gollop and Rosie Henderson.

The five Candidates had the chance to see behind the scenes and learn of the work of the GSPCA as well as our challenges and those faced investigating animal cruelty, neglect and other animal related offences.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Today was the fifth day we welcomed Candidates at the GSPCA and we have had the pleasure of 23 in total and had many apologies and kind words from others that have been unable to attend.”

“Each morning we invited the Candidates to attend the GSPCA to hear not only about our 24/7 but the daily challenges we face and those we face in the current climate of Covid-19 and we have two more large groups to go on Thursday and Friday.”

“Today was the last day and we had the pleasure of Clint Gardner, Lester Queripel, Tina Bury, John Gollop and Rosie Henderson who all really enjoyed their time with us.”

“We showed them around and talked about the current Animal Welfare 2012 Ordinance and those areas still yet to be enacted and there were many questions from all of the Candidates.”

“As we have all week we discussed some of the key animal welfare challenges we face from reuniting animals with no identification to those risks nesting and roosting wild animals can and do face from builders and gardeners.”

“It has been really interesting to read the views of the Candidates about the questions posed to them especially in regards compulsory microchipping and DNA dog faeces testing which we discussed during the visit.”

You can see the answers here - https://election2020.gg/candidates/answers/?q=1456

“We also discussed the difficult times in raising funds and operating.”

“To care for the 1000’s of wild animals and many others in our care we really need everyone’s support and to donate to our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal please visit https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal , call 01481 257261 or by post please make cheques payable to 'GSPCA’ and send to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD.”

“A huge thanks to all the Candidates that took the time to visit us, their kind words and many pledges to support our vital 24/7 work in whatever way they can.”

Nick Moakes who visited Thursday said “Thanks so much for giving up some of your time to show us around and provide some amazing insights.”

“I have been on the public tour before but I learnt a great deal more today.”

Ivan Rihoy said “Thank you and if I am elected you have my word the legislation will happen for sure please believe me tagging is essential.”

Elaine Mahy said “Thank you very much for hosting us at the GSPCA.”

“I first came into contact with the GSPCA when as a child I helped my aunt choose a cat from the animal shelter”

“Later I helped with school trips to the GSPCA with my own children.”

“We do have pets at home, including a rescue dog. I was interested to hear you talk about disease risks from imported pets as our dog was originally from Spain.”

“We were very grateful for the compassion of your staff when our previous dog died last year.”

“Our daughter was inspired to volunteer with GSPCA following this.”

“I did not realise that GSPCA had been on the same site for such a long period and I really admire the work that the organisation does.”

“I hope that the wildlife hospital does come to fruition and hope that if I am elected I am able to help in some way.”

“I am also a member of La Societe and am concerned about wildlife, so may end up helping in some way with this.”

“I had never seen a tiny baby hedgehog up close such as you showed us, it was exceedingly cute!”

“The tour was really interesting and thorough and I learned many new things about the work that you and your team do.”

Nigel Chescoe said “Thank you so much for inviting us along and your talk was very informative.”

“We have spoken previously at the Environment hustings and I understand the structure of your organisation and some of the hurdles that are in your way.”

“We are animal lovers and enjoy nature - we adopted three of our rabbits from your shelter a while ago now and have given them a lovely home.”

“If elected, I would support government working collaboratively with your charity in order to achieve your objectives for protection of domestic and wild animals.”

To see the original write up and more on some of the challenges we have been highlighting please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-meet-candidates-environment-hustings-and-open-invite-them-learn-more-about-animal-welfare

In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus 

The GSPCA continues with all essential services and we plane to phase other services back into operation and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-take-cautious-approach-returning-new-normal-%E2%80%93-gspca-plan-our-services-and-volunteers-retu

With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.

For volunteering information please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261

To find out more on talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261

 

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