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 three events this week open for Candidates to visit only one has attended so additional dates have been set.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “It has been extremely disheartening this the response to our tours for Election Candidates around the GSPCA to discuss our work, animal welfare challenges and more importantly our manifesto.”
“We realise it must be a busy time for Election Candidates at this time so we have set additional dates for tours on the 28th May and 4th June both at 11am.”
“The tours aren’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.”
“Today Deputy Sam Haskins came along for a tour and we discussed our Manifesto and 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 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
Candidates can visit the GSPCA on the following dates, please book your place –
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.”
“Next week Candidates standing have opportunities to visit the GSPCA and chat to our team and find out more about our work and how they can better help animal welfare and our community.”
“This is a busy week for us as not only is it our GSPCA Cupcake Week so those attending may get some tasty treats, but we also have our old buildings being demolished and we have just ;launched the Dolphin Discovery Trail treasure hunt app.”
“For those wanting to visit please book online via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guernsey-candidate-invite-to-the-gspca-tickets-1304192397569?aff=oddtdtcreator it is completely free but donations are welcomed or please do email me steve@gspca.org.gg .”
“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 “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.”
Steve continued “As well as our manifesto the Association of Guernsey Charities have launched the asks from the charitable sector with a huge amount of information to be found by checking out this document 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 this leads into the wider picture of the challenges the island charities face and hope the incoming Deputies can support the charitable sector who #withoutus as has been promoted the island would look an incredibly different place.”
“There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“We also have the GSPCA Cupcake Week in May https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-cupcake-week .”
“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.”
“A great way to support us is 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 make a donation or support our BIGGEST BUILD Appeal please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey .”
“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 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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