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

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.

In 2008, on average, 1180 cats and dogs were boarded at the Animals’ Shelter each month, which is equivalent to 39 animals per day, which is very similar to the situation in 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.

Table illustrating the number and type of cremations undertaken and number of internments at the pet cemetery in 2008:

 

 

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

 

 

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 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.

A variety of presentations about the work of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter were also given to a number of different Non Profit Organisations (NPOs), introducing the importance of caring for both domestic animals and wildlife into the community.

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.  

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