Pedro the puffin recovering well and less than half the Puffins left for the 2023 Puffin Parade

On Wednesday 9^th February an oiled puffin was rescued on Lihou.

The very poorly bird called Pedro continues to do well at the GSPCA.

The GSPCA are currently fund raising for a new Wildlife Hospital and to buy a brick or support this build go to – http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/exciting-news-gspca-relaunch-wildlife-hospital-appeal-can-you-help-future-bailiwicks-wildlife

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/2023-autism-guernsey-and-gspca-will-bring-puffin-parade-guernsey-%E2%80%93-could-you-sponsor-and-paint-

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “It is rare for us to rescue puffins as they spend most of their life out at sea.”

“In February we rescued the second oiled puffin this year and this little bird has been named Pedro and was found on Lihou.”

”Puffins are so delicate and often don’t survive when found sick or injured and it is wonderful to see Pedro do so well and he has recently been allowed to go out on our rehabilitation pools with two guillemots that were found oiled and also recovering.”

“It is difficult to know where the il has come from, but what often happens is during stormy weather oil is disturbed from the sea bed and when birds land on it floating they lose the ability to fly and float and means they cannot hunt and feed themselves.”

“His natural oils are slowly returning after the crude oil stripping them and we are hopeful he will soon be able to be released.”

“There are lots of ways to support Pedro’s care from donating to his care, helping towards our new Wildlife Hospital to supporting our wildlife build to we are looking for 60 sponsors to support our Puffin Parade in 2023 with Autism Guernsey.”

“If you find any injured wildlife you can call us 24/7 on 01481 257261 and choose the emergency option number ‘2’.”

“This month the puffins return to our shores to breed and this time next year ourselves and Autism Guernsey will launch the Puffin Parade.”

2021 Guernsey saw the Guernsey Goat Trail which was hugely popular and brought smiles and fun to many islanders and visitors.

Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA are delighted to be working together to bring a Puffin Parade to Guernsey in 2023.

Both charities are looking for businesses to sponsor a puffin and artists to decorate them.  This is a real community project and we invite groups, schools, individuals and professional artists to join in this initiative and paint a puffin. 

The 4 foot puffins will be displayed from April 2023 which is the month that the puffins return to our shores to breed around Herm, Alderney, Sark and the cliffs of the Bailiwick.

Mandy Rowlinson from Autism Guernsey said “Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA, Guernsey SPCA are excited to have partnered up to hold a 'Puffin Parade' in 2023.” 

“The Puffin Parade will be similar to the Goat Trail but will comprise 4' Puffins instead of goats.”

“We received fantastic feedback about the Goat Trail and we are hoping that the Puffin Parade will be even more successful in 2023.”

“If you would be interested in sponsoring a puffin or indeed painting one, please contact myself at Autism Guernsey on 232879 or [email protected] . Alternatively you can contact Steve Byrne the GSPCA on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] .” 

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager continued “We are absolutely delighted at the GSPCA to be teaming up with Autism Guernsey for the ‘Puffin Parade’ in 2023.”

“In 2023 we will be celebrating 150 years helping animals in Guernsey which include puffins.”

“This spectacular event will be a great celebration of our 150th anniversary in the Island.”

“Puffins are a comical looking bird which many islanders really love and we are looking for businesses or groups to sponsor each of the 60 puffins.”

“The plan is that over the winter artists will decorate the puffins and in April when the puffins return to our shores to breed we will launch the ‘Puffin Parade’ so we can all enjoy the fabulous work of our local talented artists.”

“The ‘Puffin Parade’ will see each of the 60 puffins placed around Guernsey until the end of the Summer when we will have a fabulous event to auction each of the puffins to raise much needed funds for Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA.”

“More than 30 have already been sponsored so less half way there so those interested need to get their details in as soon as possible.”

“Please do get in touch with Autism Guernsey or the GSPCA if you would like to know more about this fabulous event.”

An opportunity to become involved in a major community event

In 2021 Autism Guernsey and the Guernsey Adult Literacy Project organised the Goat Trail which was extremely successful and raised over £80,000 for the charities.

Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA are now organising a further parade for 2023 – the Puffin Parade.

When deciding on what kind of statue to use for this event, it was agreed that we would keep to the theme of animals and birds synonymous with the Bailiwick.  Therefore it was agreed that we would use Puffins, although larger than their normal size.

Photographs have been taken of Puffins and these will be used by the model makers to create a mould from which the fibreglass models will be made. It is anticipated they will arrive in Guernsey during the summer of 2022 when they will be handed over to local artists, designers and community groups who will decorate them.

At the start of April 2023 they will go ‘on parade’ at locations around the island to coincide with the Puffins’ arrival in Herm. A map, available from the the Bus Terminus and hotels, will be created indicating their locations. They will remain in their positions until September when they will be auctioned, all proceeds going to Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA.

We are seeking individuals or organisations who would be prepared to sponsor the puffins at a cost of £1,000 each. The sponsorship covers the cost of manufacturing the puffin and transport costs.

The intention is to involve as much of the community as possible - although some puffins will be painted by local artists, others will be decorated by community groups and schools, ensuring that this local art project involves and inspires large numbers of local people.

What’s in it for the sponsor?

The puffins will be fitted to plinths to which will be fixed plaques detailing the name of the sponsor and the designer/painter.

The map, showing the location of all the puffins, will include the names of the sponsors. The map will be freely available to locals and visitors alike. This map will also be put on our Website and Facebook pages, and sponsors can then share it on their own social media sites.

There will also be an App and written quiz on sale at venues around the Island such as hotels, cafes, entertainment centres etc. whereby entrants have to name the locations of the puffins, the sponsors and the artists.

By ‘adopting’ one of the puffins, your company name will be presented in a totally different way. Positioned in locations all over the island, the puffins will be immediately striking, eye-catching and memorable. They will have genuine ‘stopping power’.   We know from the previous trail that visitors and locals enjoy seeing all the painted statues and that footfall increases in those locations where the statues are placed.

This will be a major community project with high impact. The puffins will be ‘on parade’ for many months and will inevitably attract considerable media interest.

Should they wish, sponsors will have the opportunity to brief the artist on the design of ‘their’ puffin to ensure the design reflects their particular business. It may also be appropriate that the puffin is located at or near the sponsor’s place of business.

There is also the option for the sponsor to buy the puffin after the parade so that it can take up permanent residence in the organisation.  The only stipulation is that the design does not include names or logos since these could limit the attraction to potential bidders at the auction.

Should you require any further information, or if you would like to reserve a puffin, please contact Mandy Rowlinson at Autism Guernsey on 232879 or [email protected] or Steve Byrne at the GSPCA on 257261 or [email protected]

The Puffin Parade website will lauch soon with more information www.puffinparade.gg

Puffin facts

Puffins have a black back and white underparts, and distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and a tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill.

Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs. With over 500,000 pairs half of the UK population is at only a few sites and they are on Amber List species.

Puffins Latin name is Fratercula arctica and the are from the Auks (Alcidae) family.

Adults arrive back at their breeding colonies in March and April and leave again in mid-August. Some remain in the North Sea at winter, whilst others move further south to the Bay of Biscay.

Puffins feed on fish, especially sandeels.

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Puffin Patrol

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/2023-autism-guernsey-and-gspca-will-bring-puffin-parade-guernsey-%E2%80%93-could-you-sponsor-and-paint-

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

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  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

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Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

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To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if 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

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

Below are our usual opening times but with the current challenges due to covid these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261