Tributes paid to former GSPCA boss

Wednesday 10 January 2024

Jayne Le Cras - known for her work leading the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for many years - has died.

Her death yesterday was confirmed by the charity today when it paid tribute to Ms Le Cras on social media.

"We were all very saddened to hear of the passing of Jayne Le Cras," wrote the charity.

"Jayne was the manager and president at the Animal Shelter for many years, but to those that worked with her she was much more than that," the tribute continued.

Now managed by Steve Byrne, the GSPCA is one of the island's foremost charities - helping hundreds of animals of all sizes and breeds every year.

The charity said that Ms Le Cras was "a real force of nature; passionate and dedicated to her friends, family and animal welfare" and that she had "a big heart and her commitment to the staff and animals reached beyond her role and certainly beyond her retirement".

Described as a "sad day for the GSPCA", the charity said the staff and volunteers will "remember her strength and her unwavering passion for animals", offering the entire team's "sincere condolences to her friends and family".

"Thank you for everything Jayne" - the GSPCA

Ms Le Cras was married with children and grandchildren.

She had described her three granddaughters has "my favourite girls in the world" on her personal Facebook page in December.

Among her most prominent professional achievements was helping in the rescue and rehabilitation of two young lion cubs.

The pair were recused from a Romanian circus in 2008 and had a home waiting for them at the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa. They needed somewhere for a few months during this journey while they grew healthy and big enough to make the onward trip.

The Born Free Foundation asked the GSPCA to provide that temporary home, and managed by Ms Le Cras at the time the charity agreed. She also accompanied the two cubs on their trip to South Africa and helped them settle in to their new home.

Ms Le Cras also helped rewrite Guernsey's animal welfare laws while President of the GSPCA.