Please watch out for oiled birds around the coast after the rough weather - Could you please donate or sponsor their care

With all of the rough and stormy sustained weather recently the GSPCA are bracing for a potentially busy period of sick and injured animals and birds.

Only in the last few hours have two oiled guillemots been rescued and arrived at the Shelter and there are likely to be many more.

The reason we and other coastal animal charities see this increase after stormy weather is that crude oil that has settled on the sea bed gets stirred up and floats to the surface where the birds sadly get coated and then find it difficult to fly, preen, hunt and care for themselves.

We closely monitor the locations of where the birds are found and tidal movements in case they aren't isolated incidents and the two today were found on Port Soif and Portlet.

Although 'Bob' is stronger and heavier found on Portlet than 'Hilary' (pictured) who was found at Port Soif, he has much more oil on him and is currently under going an emergency wash.

It is early days on how much oil they have consumed and if they will make it but they are now housed in intensive care units and the team are doing all they can for them both.

Although last winter was fairly mild, in the storms of the 2013/14 saw thousands of seabirds perish in Channel waters and many rescued by the GSPCA including two seal pups.

Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said "We now have 3 guillemots in that have been oiled from the recent bad weather, one from last year and two in today."

"The two today were found at Port Soif and Portlet and it is likely we will see others after all the stormy weather."

"We also know that grey seals have been pupping around the coast and it is this type of weather that their young can get separated so please any concerns do call us at the GSPCA."

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "After prolonged bad weather it often means those birds that live out at sea are very tired and hungry as they've not been able to hunt and with oil on the sea being churned up it can affect these beautiful animals."

"We monitor situations like this very closely in case it is part of a larger incident, and we are in touch with other organistations around the Channel."

"We are here to get these wonderful birds back to the wild and the hardest is the first 24 hours so we are doing all we can for Bob and Hilary the two that have arrived today."

"We have lots of information on our website about what to do if you find an oiled bird or please do give us a call on 01481 257261 any time day or night."

To find out what to do if you find an oiled bird please click here.

To donate to the care of Bob and Hilary please call 01481 257261, pop along to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews, by post or by clicking the paypal link below.

To sponsor the many animals in our care please download an Angel Pen Pal form by clicking here.

If anyone see's a pup with or without a mum we really do appreciate a call so that we are aware of its location and condition but here is some advice.

A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.

Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.

If a Seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.

If a Seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 day or night

When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:

• Exact location; nearest town / village
• Position on the beach, and state of the tide
• How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
• Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
• Length/colour/condition.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.

To see some of the previous stories follow the links below

Seal Rescue to Save Jethou Bumblebee 25th November 2012

Hanois the grey seal pup rescued on Saturday by GSPCA staff 7th January 2013

Jethou Bumblebee & Hanois the rescued grey seal pups back in the wild 18th April 2013

Seal pups Trinity and Eden are back in the wild - Thank you to all involved with the fantastic release on Jethou 24th May 2014

To see all of our events, links and fund raisers please click here

To sponsor the many animals in our care please download an Angel Pen Pal & Slovakian Puppy Appeal form by clicking here.

To make a donation please click here

To donate towards the many animals in our care, you can do so by:

Calling: 01481 257261

By post or popping in the Shelter: GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD

Or our Paypal page by clicking the link below

Our Just Giving Page by clicking here.

Or why not become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and give each month to help animals in our care by clicking here.

For your business to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal sponsor please click here.

If you could help towards or new multi purpose building please click here to find out about the Build Partner programme.

If you are looking to adopt an animal and to complete an adoption form please click here. 

If you would like to fund raise or help the GSPCA please contact the GSPCA on 01481 257261 or email [email protected]

To complete our local Guernsey microchip survey -

Create your own user feedback survey

To see all of our events, links and fund raisers please click here

To find out about our Build Partner programme please click here

To find out how to volunteer for the GSPCA please click here

To find out about guided tours at the GSPCA please click here

Have you got a GSPCA Hoody, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt or T-shirt? If not get yours by clicking here.

To find out about our Events, how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, , our New Build & Redevelopment Appeal and much more please click here.

There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.

By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD

Or by phone 01481 257261.

To find out more regarding our Angel Sponsorship Scheme please click here.

Have you liked us on facebook yet or joined us on twitter?

Here is the latest from the GSPCA Twitter feed -

Tweets by @GSPCA

To see a page full of items on our GSPCA Wish List please click here.

Powered by easyfundraising.org.uk