Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Inc.)

Animals' Shelter

Analysis of Services provided in 2007

THE JSPCA COMMITTEE:

Mr N le Q Blampied                                               President  

Major Stephen Coleman                                       Chief Executive Officer

Mr A Morley                                                            Vice President

Mr D Crespel                                                          Vice President

Mrs S Ferguson                                                      Honorary Treasurer

Mr C Gruchy                                                            Honorary Veterinary Surgeon

Miss A Coffin                                                          Honorary Secretary

Miss V Baal                                                            Committee Member

Mr A Jarrett                                                             Committee Member        

Mr R Bignell                                                            Committee Member

Mr R Langlois                                                         Committee Member

Mrs E Beer                                                             Committee Member

Mrs V Campbell                                                     Committee Member

JSPCA MISSION STATEMENT:

"Prevent cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for the aged, sick, lost and unwanted animals”.  

CRUELTY/WELFARE INVESTIGATIONS:

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter works closely with the Police and the States Veterinary Officer in investigating cases of alleged cruelty or mistreatment of animals.  Members of the public are able to contact the Shelter for advice should they have any concerns about the welfare of an animal.

In 2007, excluding welfare concerns regarding agriculture/equine species, (the States Veterinary Officer is largely responsible for the investigation of cases involving these species), the number of reported welfare cases remained similar to that of the previous year. 

Of the total number of reported cases of concerns for the welfare of dogs, a large number involved barking dogs and concerns regarding advertisements in the local media detailing, in the same one advert, a variety of breeds of puppies for sale from UK addresses.  Adverts may be seen in newspapers informing the reader of a variety of different breeds of puppies for sale.  These types of adverts should be viewed with suspicion.  A variety of different breeds advertised by one vendor may have been bred at a so-called ‘puppy farm’.  If considering purchasing a puppy, always remember that it is important to meet the mother of the pups and, if possible, see the rest of the litter.

Table illustrating the number and type of welfare concerns reported to the JSPCA by members of the public in 2007: 

This substantial number of reported cases where members of the public have been concerned about the welfare of animals highlights the need for the up-dated Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004.  In February 2007, this much-awaited new legislation was finally enacted.  The Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004 is much more comprehensive than its predecessor, the Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law 1980, and it is hoped that this new Legislation will transform the husbandry standards and living conditions of Jersey’s animals, ultimately improving their health, welfare and well being.  This Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004 is designed to promote the welfare of animals and the prevention of suffering by animals in Jersey. In addition this Law will regulate the keeping and use of animals and allow the licensing of certain types of businesses involved in keeping and/or caring for animals.  Under this new Law, establishments such as pet shops, kennels, catteries and animal sanctuaries will all need a licence to operate.  Failure to comply will result in fines.  All animals, including farmed animals, domestic pets and wild animal and birds will be protected by this new legislation which was passed in the States of Jersey in 2004.  

Also, in June 2007, there was a very disturbing incident where by 18 Herring Gulls were victims of a malicious road traffic accident at La Pulente on St Ouen’s Bay.   Herring Gulls are protected under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000, which makes it illegal to intentionally injure or kill any gull. 

Through continued education and the dissemination of information by the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter about the importance of caring for and respecting domestic pets and wildlife it is hoped that there will be a significant improvement in the attitudes towards the treatment of animals, which, in turn, is fundamentally important in the prevention of cruelty to animals.

BOARDING ANIMALS:

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter has facilities to board both dogs and cats.  It is proud to be able to offer what it considers are excellent boarding facilities.  Both the Kennels and Cattery have been designed to minimise the risk and spread of disease, as much as is possible, with maximum comfort for the animal and hygiene in mind.   Each animal has its own individual kennel with an outside run and boarding dogs are walked on-site on a daily basis.  Every day each animal is given a hands-on health check.  

The Animals’ Shelter also offers an “Emergency Boarding” Service for which a number of kennels are kept available at all times.  This service offers boarding facilities for pets belonging to people who may experience a life-changing event.

Number of boarding days spent at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter by dogs and cats in 2007: 

The number of dogs boarding at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter was approximately that same in 2007 as it was in 2006, although there was an 8.5% increase in the number of days cats spent boarding at the Animals’ Shelter.

In 2007, on average, 1181 cats and dogs were boarded at the Animals’ Shelter each month, which is equivalent to 39 animals per day! 

ANIMAL AMBULANCE SERVICE:

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter provides an animal ambulance service whereby trained staff are available to rescue injured animals, collect strays (except dogs which are still the responsibility of the Connetables) and assist the public in any way necessary, 24 hours a day.

In 2007 the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter’s driving staff completed 3987 journeys, which is the equivalent of 76 journeys per week.  26% of this total number of ambulance journeys were undertaken by the night ambulance drivers, as emergency calls outside of the normal Animals’ Shelter working hours.  

The animal ambulances are co-ordinated by the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter reception staff who are usually the first point of contact for members of the public.  In 2007, the receptionists answered 23,669 telephone queries, an increase of 6.75% in comparison to 2006.  In addition to this total number of daytime telephone calls, 2039 calls were received by the night duty/out of hours animal ambulance driver in 2007, a 17% increase from the previous year.

VETERINARY CLINIC:

Animals that attend the JSPCA Veterinary Clinic are animals being prepared for re-homing via the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter and the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter Foster animals.

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter operates a Foster Scheme, whereby the scheme offers free veterinary treatment to elderly animals re-homed from the Shelter or to animals the Shelter re-homes with on-going medical conditions, such as Diabetes Mellitus.  This Scheme helps to increase the chances of older animals finding new homes.  

In 2007, in comparison to the previous years, more animals were seen in the JSPCA Veterinary Clinic, both for general surgery and for clinic appointments, which reflects the steady general increase in the number of foster animals the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter now cares for, in addition to the increased number of animals of a variety of species received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter for re-homing.  There was a 36% increase in the overall number of clinic appointments in 2007 and a 22% increase in the number of surgical procedures, such as dentals and routine neutering, performed on animals being prepared for re-homing.

Another noticeable trend is the dramatic increase in the number of thyroidectomy operations undertaken on cats being prepared for re-homing in 2007, which reflects the increasingly older average age range of cats received for re-homing.  In 2006, only 2 thyroidectomies were performed where as in 2007, 12 thyroidectomy operations were carried out in the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter clinic.

Hyperthyroidism is the presence of excess thyroid hormone in the blood and is one of the most common endocrine disorder of older cats.  Common clinical signs include weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, increased activity, and diarrhoea. Occasionally cats will present with lethargy, depression anorexia, and/or weakness.  Most cats with hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated either by tablet medication which decreases the production of the thyroid hormone, or by surgery to remove the affected gland.  The best treatment option chosen is decided on an individual case basis.  

THE JSPCA ANIMALS’ SHELTER CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM:

The JSPCA respects and values the close bond that develops between owners and their pets.  When a pet dies, it is important that the owner knows that their pet will be treated with care and dignity.  The JSPCA provides the only pet cremation service on Jersey and maintains the Pet Cemetery at First Tower.

The total number of cremations undertaken at the Pet Crematorium in 2007 remained at a similar level to the previous year, although there was a 19% increase in the number of individual cremations.

Table illustrating the number and type of cremations undertaken and number of internments at the pet cemetery in 2007:

EDUCATION:

The year 2006 has seen the continued production of high quality educational literature, which is readily available for members of the public to access.  Information about a variety of animals and their correct, appropriate husbandry, in addition to information about topical issues such as feeding wild birds, housetraining house rabbits and facts about red squirrels is available to members of the public in the form of advice leaflets.  These are obtainable from a dedicated stand in the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter reception area.  This information about various animal related topics is also available on the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter Website (www.jspca.org.je), along with news from the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter and topical up to date news bulletins about animal related issues. 

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter endeavours to increase awareness to certain animal issues, for example, the dangers of leaving dogs in cars in hot weather, the hazards fireworks present to animals and highlighting the message of not giving pets as presents.  These messages are promoted and highlighted through the production of relevant informative posters, copies of which are displayed at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter and regularly distributed to the local veterinary practices, and through the production of regular press releases about these topical animal issues, which are circulated to the relevant media stations.  All of the press releases are also made available to members of the public on the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter website.  

Every year, MSP Publishing, in conjunction with the Jersey Evening Post, kindly produce a magazine, free of charge, for the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, the material of which is all produced internally by the JSPCA’s veterinary surgeon.  This magazine is subsequently distributed Island-wide within an edition of the JEP and provides the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter with an invaluable opportunity to emphasize the importance of caring for all animals, both domestic and wild.

In 2007, several groups of students from local schools and youth groups visited the Animals’ Shelter.  These visits provided the opportunity for the students to learn about caring for animals and the work the Animals’ Shelter undertakes, as well as being given the chance to have an escorted tour of the Shelter site.  They also play a vital role in introducing children to animals and teaching them the importance of caring for and respecting both pets and wildlife.  It is widely recognised that education about animal welfare from a young age is imperative to the improvement of attitudes towards the treatment of animals, which, in turn, is fundamentally important in the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Educational Events in 2007:

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter continues to liase with individuals and schools, providing work experience placements for students.  The Animals’ Shelter can offer placements for the Project Trident Scheme and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, amongst others, as well as providing the opportunity for individuals to gain experience of working with animals. 

Animals in times of conflict display:

In July 2007, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter invited members of the public to visit a special display focusing on the plight of animals in the Channel Island of Jersey during the World War Two Occupation from 1940 to 1945 and the role of the Animals’ Shelter at that time.  There was also the opportunity to see some military vehicles, (from the Jersey Military Vehicle Club), which were on display at the site of this special exhibition.

Primarily with education in mind, a one day only display to highlight the role of animals involved in war was organised by the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, especially focusing on the plight of animals in the Channel Island of Jersey during the World War Two Occupation from 1940 to 1945 and the role of the Animals’ Shelter in helping to safeguard the health and welfare of the animals remaining on the Island at that time.  It should be remembered that in times of battles, it is not just the soldiers and civilians who suffer, but that animals often become involved in the conflict too.  Both pets and farm animals can suffer hugely in the wake of military devastation.

The aim of this project was to not only highlight animal issues specifically in the Channel Islands during the WW2 Occupation, but to also provide an opportunity to emphasize the remarkable work that animals have undertaken, and are still undertaking, during times of conflict, for example the sniffer dogs used for mine detection or the work of the rescue dogs in identifying survivors in collapsed buildings.

TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE: 2006 - 2007