
Jersey
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Animals'
Shelter
Analysis
of Services provided in 2008
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 2008, 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 last two
previous years.
Of the total number of reported cases of concerns for the
welfare of dogs, a large number involved barking dogs and appropriate
advice was offered to the dog owners.
Barking is a normal behaviour for dogs.
However, barking can become a nuisance or can be disturbing for
neighbours in particular.
Problems with
barking occur when it disturbs neighbours, frightens visitors or is keeping
the owner of the dog awake at night. Usually
the owner of the barking dog is completely unaware of this problem habit,
as the barking may only occur when the owner has left the house.
Further information about barking and helpful tips about how
to resolve or decrease a barking problem can be found on the JSPCA website
(www.jspca.org.je).
Table illustrating the number and type of welfare concerns
reported to the JSPCA by members of the public in 2008:
|
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Pet
Shops |
6 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
|
Agriculture/Equine/Poultry |
21 |
31 |
16 |
15 |
|
Small
Animals/Fish/Birds |
16 |
25 |
29 |
29 |
|
Cats |
11 |
28 |
28 |
27 |
|
Dogs |
39 |
79 |
83 |
91 |
|
Pest
Controllers |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wildlife |
0 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
93 |
177 |
162 |
177 |
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 where possible. 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 2008:
|
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Dog
boarding days |
5641 |
6146 |
6139 |
5515 |
|
Cat
boarding days |
8112 |
7402 |
8035 |
8645 |
|
Total
boarding days |
13753 |
13548 |
14174 |
14160 |

Despite a small decrease in the
number of dogs boarded at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2008 compared to
the number in 2007, there was a 7.6% increase in the number of days cats
spent boarding at the Animals’ Shelter in 2008 compared to 2007.
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
2008 the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter’s driving staff completed 3739
journeys, which is the equivalent of 72 journeys per week.
26.7% 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, which is a similar percentage to that in
2007.
The very busiest time of the year for the duty animal ambulance drivers tends to be during the spring and summer months of April through to September, with the night ambulance driver being especially busy during that period.

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 2008, the receptionists answered 22,037 telephone queries, only a 1.9% comparison to 2007. In addition to this total number of daytime telephone calls, 1897 calls were received by the night duty/out of hours animal ambulance driver in 2008.
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
2008, in comparison to the previous years, more animals were seen in the
JSPCA Veterinary Clinic, both for general surgery and for clinic
appointments. This increase
not only reflects the steady general increase in the number of foster
animals that 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, but may also reflect the increase in
available operating time due to the appointment of a part-time veterinary
surgeon to perform surgery at the JSPCA clinic.
There
was a 50.4% increase in the number of Animals’ Shelter animals being
attended to at the JSPCA Clinic, as well as a 25.5% increase in the number
of foster animal appointments. There
was also a 28.6% increase in the number of surgical procedures, such as
dentals and routine neutering, performed on animals at the Clinic, which
includes operations performed on foster animals as well as welfare clients.
On 26th August 2008
the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter was pleased to announce the re-opening of the
JSPCA Welfare Clinic, a much needed resource and form of support for pet
owners who are in receipt of Income support.
Since the re-opening of the Welfare clinic there has been a steady
increase in the number of clients registering to attend the welfare clinic;
145 Welfare clinic appointments were attended by clients and their pets
from August 2008 until 31st December 2008.
Another noticeable trend was the
increase in the number of neutering operations on Animals’ Shelter
rabbits and guinea pigs that were undertaken in 2008.
There was a 21.2% increase in the number of guinea pigs castrated at
the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter clinic and an increase in the number of
rabbits castrated and spayed at the Clinic, 35.7% and 27.7% respectively.
This largely reflects that dramatic increase in the number of small
mammals that the Animals’ Shelter received for re-homing in 2008.
There was also a noticeable
increase in the number of cats neutered at the JSPCA clinic in preparation
for re-homing. There was an
increase of 24% in the number of cat castrates that were performed on
Animals’ Shelter animals in 2008 compared to the number undertaken in
2007 and there was also an increase of 72% in the number of cats spays
performed on animals being prepared for re-homing in 2008 compared to 2007.
In April 2008, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter was very fortunate to be given a blood pressure monitor for use within the Animals’ Shelter Clinic, which was very kindly donated by Novartis Animal Health. This piece of equipment is invaluable in helping to detect and treat blood pressure problems in companion animal practice, hence the Animals’ Shelter is very much appreciative for this show of support from Novartis Animals Health.

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.
There was a small increase
(4.4%) in the total number of cremations undertaken at the Pet Crematorium
in 2008 and there was a larger increase of 13.9% in the number of
individual cremations undertaken in 2008 compared to 2007.
|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
|
Communal cremations |
607 |
630 |
730 |
715 |
|
Individual cremations |
606 |
532 |
446 |
431 |
|
Ashes Interred at cemetery |
14 |
10 |
25 |
15 |
|
TOTAL |
1227 |
1172 |
1201 |
1161 |
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
2008, 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 2008:
Organisation
|
Number in 2008 |
Number
in 2007 |
|
Primary Schools |
9 |
15 |
|
Secondary
Schools |
1 |
1 |
|
Nursery Schools |
6 |
5 |
|
NPO* Youth
groups |
6 |
7 |
|
NPO* Adult
groups |
3 |
3 |
Total
|
25 |
31 |
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.
TREATMENT
AND REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE: 2008
|
|
DEC |
TOTAL
YTD |
EUTHANASED |
DIED |
DEAD
ON |
RELEASED OR |
|||||
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARRIVAL |
FURTHER CARE |
||
|
|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Barn Owl |
|
5 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Black Back Gull |
|
6 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
2 |
|
Black Cap |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
1 |
|
Black Diver |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Black Eared Wheat Eater |
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Black Headed Gull |
1 |
|
6 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
Black Necked Grebe |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blackbird |
1 |
2 |
29 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
9 |
|
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
Blue Tit |
|
7 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
6 |
1 |
|
Brown Cap |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Bunting |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada Goose |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chaffinch |
|
3 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Chicken |
|
|
5 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Coote |
|
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cormorant |
|
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Crow |
2 |
16 |
21 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
8 |
13 |
|
Dove |
2 |
52 |
85 |
18 |
20 |
2 |
15 |
2 |
5 |
30 |
45 |
|
Duck |
2 |
28 |
39 |
12 |
7 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
10 |
24 |
|
Ducking |
|
34 |
83 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
29 |
69 |
|
Dunnock |
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Egret |
1 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Falcon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finch |
|
9 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
1 |
|
6 |
1 |
|
Fire Crest |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Fledglings |
|
9 |
19 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
|
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Fly Catcher |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Fulmar |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gannet |
|
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Garden Warbler |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Crest |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Gold Finch |
|
|
7 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Goose |
1 |
6 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
|
2 |
|
|
3 |
6 |
|
Great Tit |
|
3 |
1 |
|
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Great Northern Diver |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Finch |
|
5 |
9 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Guillemot |
|
23 |
4 |
1 |
|
21 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Heron |
|
3 |
4 |
|
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
House Martin |
|
1 |
2 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Jay |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Kestral/Sparrow Hawk |
1 |
11 |
19 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
King Fisher |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kitty Wake |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lapwing |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linnet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Little Auk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Little Gull |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Long Eared Owl |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Magpie |
1 |
28 |
41 |
11 |
10 |
2 |
12 |
|
2 |
15 |
17 |
|
Mandarin Duck |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marsh Harrier |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moorhen |
|
3 |
6 |
|
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
|
Oyster Catcher |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peahen |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Pheasant |
1 |
18 |
19 |
15 |
14 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Pigeon |
29 |
234 |
318 |
98 |
152 |
16 |
20 |
3 |
14 |
117 |
132 |
|
Quail |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Racing Pigeon |
|
|
15 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Raven |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Razorbill |
|
2 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Reed Warbler |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Robin |
|
5 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
3 |
|
Royal Buzzard |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Sanderling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sandwich Tern |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sand Piper |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seagull |
8 |
154 |
232 |
115 |
168 |
2 |
13 |
6 |
6 |
31 |
45 |
|
Shag |
|
1 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Skua |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Slovanian Grebe |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snipe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Song Bird |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sparrow |
2 |
24 |
49 |
4 |
14 |
4 |
23 |
3 |
1 |
13 |
11 |
|
Starling |
|
15 |
37 |
11 |
12 |
3 |
12 |
|
1 |
1 |
12 |
|
Swallow |
|
|
5 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Swan |
1 |
3 |
8 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
5 |
|
Swift |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Tern |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thrush |
3 |
19 |
30 |
6 |
17 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
5 |
|
Tree Creeper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuffed Duck |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turn Stone |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Wagtail |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Water Rail |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Wheat Eater |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Wood Pigeon |
7 |
31 |
66 |
22 |
31 |
|
11 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
22 |
|
Woodcock |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Woodpecker |
|
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
3 |
|
Wren |
|
3 |
9 |
|
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Total |
|
814 |
1240 |
363 |
523 |
96 |
170 |
34 |
50 |
321 |
497 |
Wild birds:
The year 2008 saw a 52% increase in the total number of injured or sick wild birds presented to the JSPCA for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, with the release rate remaining static at 40%. This high figure for successful release and rehabilitation reflects the continued success in the treatment and rehabilitation of injured wild birds at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.
Wild
mammals, reptiles and amphibians:
The
total number of injured or sick wild mammals and reptiles brought to the
JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2008 was higher than that of the previous year,
largely as a result of the request for members of the public to report to
the Animals’ Shelter any sightings of red squirrel casualties so that as
many samples as possible could be obtained for the on-going Jersey Red
Squirrel Disease Monitoring Project.
Unfortunately, 84.6% of wild rabbits presented to the Animals’
Shelter were required to be euthansed on humane and welfare grounds.
This was mainly due to infection with Myxomatosis (a viral disease
of rabbits).
|
|
Dec |
TOTAL
YTD |
EUTHANASED |
DIED |
DEAD ON |
RELEASED
OR |
|||||
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARRIVAL |
FURTHER
CARE |
||
|
|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Bat |
1 |
11 |
15 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
10 |
|
Dragon
Fly |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Elephant
Shrew |
|
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ferret |
|
2 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
Field
Mouse |
|
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
Grass
Snake |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Hedgehog |
|
15 |
11 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
11 |
|
Jersey
Bank Vole |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Lizard |
|
8 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
Mice |
1 |
5 |
11 |
3 |
|
2 |
10 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Mole |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Newt |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Rabbit |
14 |
123 |
162 |
114 |
137 |
2 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
13 |
|
Rat |
|
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Seal |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Shrew |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
Slow
Worm |
|
3 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Spider |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Squirrel |
6 |
37 |
122 |
10 |
21 |
6 |
18 |
7 |
73 |
14 |
10 |
|
Toad |
|
13 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
6 |
1 |
|
Vole |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Total |
23 |
235 |
338 |
146 |
164 |
13 |
44 |
13 |
82 |
63 |
54 |
The
overall number of red squirrels presented to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter
in 2008 was also increased in comparison to the previous year.
This is a reflection of the JSPCA Red Squirrel Disease Monitoring
Programme which began in the summer of 2007 and is increasing public
awareness to the plight of Jersey’s Red Squirrels. Ultimately, this on-going project will provide an important
indication as to the health of the Jersey red squirrel population and hence
help to improve their health status and welfare, but it will also assist in
their vital conservation, which is of great importance to the Island and
its biodiversity. The Jersey
Ecology Trust very kindly awarded this project a small grant towards the
costs of specialist veterinary laboratory fees. However,
there is still a great need for further funding and financial support.
Anyone interested in contributing to this important programme should
contact Tiffany Blackett at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter. Further details
and regularly up-dated information about the progress of this project can
be found on the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter website (www.jspca.org.je).
DISCLAIMED
ANIMALS:
The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter accepts, cares for and re-homes all species of domestic pets. Each individual animal is thoroughly health checked and temperament assessed before being placed into a new home. Most animals are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped (as appropriate for the species) before becoming available for re-homing and all cats are blood tested to establish whether they have been infected with Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter
always strives to find disclaimed animals and birds appropriate new homes.
|
|
Still
at Shelter at the end of 2007 |
Total
Received during 2008 |
Grand
total of disclaimed for 2008 |
Re-homed |
Euthanased |
Died |
Fostered |
Still
at Shelter at end of 2008 |
|
Alexandrian
Parrot |
|
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
-2 |
|
Blue
Crested Parrot |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Blue
Fronted Amozan |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Budgies |
1 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Canaries |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Cats
|
17 |
189 |
206 |
143 |
8 |
|
31 |
-24 |
|
Chickens |
|
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Chipmonks |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Chinchillas |
2 |
32 |
34 |
18 |
3 |
1 |
|
-12 |
|
Cockatiels |
|
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Cockatoos |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Cornsnake |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Diamond
Dove |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Dogs |
12 |
79 |
91 |
57 |
4 |
|
13 |
-17 |
|
Ducks |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Fantail
Pigeons |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Ferrets |
1 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
|
|
|
-4 |
|
Finches |
|
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
-1 |
|
Geckos |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Gerbils |
7 |
40 |
47 |
23 |
|
|
|
-24 |
|
Goldfish |
|
4 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
|
Green
Amazon |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Guinea
Pigs |
3 |
84 |
87 |
68 |
1 |
2 |
|
-16 |
|
Hamsters |
4 |
40 |
44 |
31 |
8 |
|
|
-5 |
|
Lizard |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Love
Birds |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Mice |
|
36 |
36 |
14 |
1 |
|
|
-21 |
|
Milk
Snake |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Mino
Fish |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Orange
Winged Parrot |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Parakeets |
|
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
|
Pigeons |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Pinesnake |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Rabbits |
9 |
125 |
134 |
49 |
49 |
1 |
|
-35 |
|
Rats |
2 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Senegal
Parrots |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Stick
Insects |
|
50 |
50 |
|
|
|
|
-50 |
|
Terrapins |
|
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
-2 |
|
Tropical
Fish |
60 |
14 |
74 |
69 |
|
5 |
|
0 |
|
Total |
120 |
731 |
851 |
508 |
77 |
9 |
44 |
-213 |

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter received a total of 731 disclaimed animals in 2008, which is a 65% increase in comparison to 2007. There was an increase in the number of both dogs and cats received at the Animals’ Shelter for re-homing, yet the proportion of cats and dogs entering the foster scheme remained at a similar level compared to the previous year, 2007. However, it is deeply saddening to notice that there was a very dramatic increase in the number of common pet small mammals (rabbit, guinea pigs, gerbils etc) presented to the Animals’ Shelter for re-homing. Rabbits, guinea pigs and rodents totalled 48% of the number of animals disclaimed to the Animals’ Shelter for re-homing.
Number
of common small mammals disclaimed to the Animals’ Shelter in 2008:
|
|
2008 |
2007 |
|
rabbits |
125 |
68 |
|
hamsters |
40 |
20 |
|
guinea
pigs |
84 |
19 |
|
rats |
6 |
10 |
|
mice |
36 |
0 |
|
gerbil |
40 |
11 |

Pets
are very rewarding and loyal companions.
However, before taking on a new pet, it is important to be fully
aware of the extra responsibilities that owning a pet will involve, such as
obtaining veterinary treatment for the animal if it becomes sick or injured
and arranging for it to be properly cared for while you are away from home.
Pet owners must also understand and know how to care for the pet and
realise that this responsibility is for the whole of the animal’s life.
For many children, the family pet is their best friend, a companion who not only provides love, but who also teaches them about friendship, responsibility and loyalty. While most family pets are cats and dogs, other small animals can be wonderful family pets. Rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, small birds and fish make great family pets, as long as they receive the specialized care that they need. Even though these animals are smaller than a dog or cat, they still require just as much attention and care.
It should always be
anticipated that the family pet will be a lifelong member of the family
who depends on the entire family, but especially the adults.
A pet should never be considered only as a temporary playmate for
children. Rabbits
make excellent family pets provided adults are the primary caregivers and
are willing to supervise their children when they are with the rabbit.
Caring for a rabbit is a big responsibility and extends to the whole
life of the rabbit, which can be from seven to ten years.
Remember, your
responsibility for caring for your pet is for the whole of the animal’s
life.
Neutering is also another
big responsibility that all cat, dog and rabbit owners must recognise, so
as to ultimately help reduce the number of unwanted animals and pets.
Rabbits can reproduce faster
than dogs or cats and distressingly in 2008 were the second most disclaimed
animal to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter. Therefore, it is also very important to consider neutering
pet rabbits. Neutering your
rabbit will allow more than one rabbit to be kept together without them
fighting or producing unwanted litters.
Neutered rabbits are less aggressive and territorial and are more
easily litter-trained, which is helpful should you wish to keep your pet
rabbit indoors as a house rabbit. Neutering
can also reduce other hormone driven behaviours of rabbits, such as
lunging, mounting, spraying and boxing.
Contact your veterinary
surgery for advice regarding the neutering of pet animals.
Your veterinary surgery will also be able to help correctly sex
small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, mice and hamsters and
therefore hopefully help owners to avoid unwittingly contributing to the
many unwanted litters of small mammals.
STRAY
ANIMALS:
One of the most important
services that the JSPCA provides to the public of Jersey is the collection
and care of stray animals. Every effort is made to reunite each stray
animal received at the Animals’ Shelter with its owner.
Stray animals and birds are held at the Animals’ Shelter for a
designated number of days to give their owners a chance to claim them.
After this period they enter the JSPCA re-homing process and every
effort is made to find them a new, loving home.
The Animals’ Shelter received
a total of 449 stray animals and birds in 2008, a 6.5% increase in
comparison to 2007. The number
of cats received as strays at the Animals’ Shelter was increased in 2008
compared to 2007, as had the number of small mammals and exotics presented
to the Animals’ Shelter and only 28.5% of these small mammals and exotics
presented as strays to the Animals’ Shelter in 2008 were claimed by their
owners:
|
Animal |
Number
received in 2007 |
Number
received in 2008 |
|
Cats |
331 |
358 |
|
Small animals
and exotics |
49 |
63 |
|
Birds |
41 |
28 |
|
Total |
421 |
449 |

Stray dogs:
Stray dogs are the responsibility of the Parish Constables, although the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter had previously taken on the responsibility on behalf of the Constables. However, the Homes Affairs Committee made the decision to cut the grant to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter for looking after and collecting the stray dogs, which meant that the Animals’ Shelter, an independent charity, could no longer afford to offer the service. Therefore, the responsibility of the collection and management of the stray dogs has reverted back to the Constables in 2005 and is presently still their responsibility.
The Animals’ Shelter strongly recommends that dogs be micro-chipped as a means of identification, in addition to the legal requirement for the owner’s contact details (name, address and telephone number) to be clearly visible on the dog’s collar.
Stray cats:
Cats are generally the most
commonly received stray animals at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.
There was an 8% increase in the number of stray cats received at the
JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2008 compared to the previous year, although
77% of the stray cats received at the Animals’ Shelter were claimed by
their owners in 2008, which is a similar proportion compared to that
claimed in the previous year:
Of the total number of stray
cats received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2008, unfortunately 44.9%
were dead on arrival, usually as a result of road traffic accidents.
This is a slightly lower than the previous year in which 48.3% of
stray cats arriving at the Animals’ Shelter were unfortunately dead on
arrival.
The
Animals’ Shelter strongly
recommends that cats, like dogs, also be micro-chipped as a means of
identification, so that should they arrive at the Animals’ Shelter as a
stray, they can be quickly reunited with their owners.
Stray small animals and
exotics:
In 2008, there was a
large increase in the total number of stray small animals and exotics
received at the Animals’ Shelter; in 2008, 91 stray small animals/birds
were presented to the Animals’ Shelter compared to only 49 in 2007.
From the total of 91 of these stray animals brought to the JSPCA
Animals’ Shelter in 2008, only 19 (20.8%) were claimed, although this is
a small increase in the number of stray small animals and exotics that were
claimed by their owners in 2007 (16.3%).
However, of the total number of stray small animals and birds presented to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2008, rabbits comprised 48.3% of that figure, a similar proportion of the stray small mammals and birds received in 2007. Although, the overall number of stray rabbits received was dramatically increased by 83.3%, of which only 34% were claimed.
FRIENDS
OF THE ANIMALS’ SHELTER (FOTAS):
FOTAS
is a small but expanding group of volunteers who dedicate their spare time
to raising funds to support the work of the Animals’ Shelter.
They meet once a month to exchange ideas and plan future
fund-raising events. These
include:
FOTAS always welcome new members and new ideas for fund-raising. Any contributions are gratefully received. Members have a lot of fun and make new friends whilst helping the animals of Jersey. FOTAS already have a number of exciting events planned for 2009.
ADULT VOLUNTEER
SCHEME:
The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter wishes to say a big thank you to its adult volunteers who have offered their invaluable help and support throughout 2008. The adult volunteer scheme is extremely popular and there is currently a waiting list for placements to become available. Volunteers give up their own time to help clean, groom and socialise the homeless cats and small animals at the Animals’ Shelter.
Members
of the public who are interested in becoming volunteers should call into the Animals’ Shelter for an application form.
Two written references are required.
Volunteers will be contacted as and when a placement becomes
available.
MAKE
A WILL - IT WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE:
Make
certain that they will be cared for.
Make
a Will.