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The Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is marking 150 years of service today with a number of celebrations planned for staff and volunteers. Their hard work won't be paused even for one day though with more than 400 animals currently in their care.
The charity was founded in 1873 with the then-Lieutenant Governor acting as its first Patron.
In those early years the charity cared mainly for donkeys and ponies who were working up to 20 hours a day in the growing and quarrying industries.
Pictured: One of the former shelters at the GSPCA.
Now, the ponies and donkeys are far more rare but today alone the animal shelter is home to a range of pets and wildlife including tortoises, cockerels, dogs, cats, hedgehogs, ducks, seals, and many more birds, animals, reptiles and insects.
Steve Byrne has been Manager of the GSPCA since 2011 - he said the charity is always very busy but is very well supported by people across the islands.
Pictured: Steve Byrne, Manager of the GSPCA, runs volunteer briefings and staff training sessions regularly.
The animal shelter's headquarters in St Andrew's is a sprawling site with different sections dedicated to different residents. The plans for the new Wildlife Hospital are progressing but are reliant on donation said Mr Byrne.
“If you want to help us ensure we can help animals for another 150 years why not become an Angel Pen Pal sponsor and to find out more check out gspca.org.gg for all sorts of other ways to support and our events.”
“Without your support we couldn’t do so much.”
Pictured: The plans for the new wildlife hospital were approved last year.
The current home of the GSPCA was bought for £400 around 100 years ago.
By comparison today, the estimated building costs for the wildlife hospital is around £2 million.
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