Jersey
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Animals'
Shelter
136th
Annual Report - 2004
THE JSPCA COMMITTEE:
Mr
J Morley-Kirk
President
Mr
A Morley
Vice President
Mr
N Martin
Vice President
Mr
M Curtis
Honorary Treasurer
Mr C Gruchy
Honorary Veterinary Surgeon
Ms
P Bannier
Honorary Secretary
Miss
A Coffin
Committee Member
Mrs
A Tomkinson
Committee Member
Dr
L Magris
Committee Member
Deputy
D Crespel
Committee Member
Mr
P Kemp
Committee Member
JSPCA
MISSION STATEMENT:
"Prevent
cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for the aged, sick, lost and unwanted
animals”.
THE JERSEY ANIMALS’ SHELTER, AN
OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR - by Mr Jonathan Morley– Kirk
2004 was a mixed year for the
JSPCA Animals’ Shelter. On
the animal side results continue at their already high standards.
However, on the financial side the general economic downturn has
severely reduced the level of donations and legacies received by the JSPCA.
The
re-homing of disclaimed animals continues to be successful.
This is pleasing considering the large decrease in the amount
of cats disclaimed, and the large increase
in disclaimed hamsters and guinea pigs which
are harder to find homes for.
There
were 1398 injured wild birds cared for during 2004. Of these birds, 39.5% were released. Of the 280 injured wild animals cared for, one in four were
released. These extremely good
figures are a direct result of dedicated and highly trained and motivated
staff.
I
am unhappy to report that an amendment made by Deputy Hill to the draft
Animal Welfare Law effectively means that the JSPCA will be unable to
continue to investigate reported cases of animal cruelty.
This draft Animal Welfare Law has now returned from the Privy
Council, but has yet to reach implementation.
However, animal cruelty investigations are currently on-going under
the old Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law 1980, which is now very
out-dated.
The
Home Affairs Department decided to return the responsibility of the
collection of stray dogs to the Parishes in December 2003. However, the Parishes were unable to accept this
responsibility until November 2004. During
this time, the JSPCA collected all the stray dogs and re-homed unclaimed
stray dogs at no cost to the Home Affairs Department or the Parishes.
In
all other areas, I believe that the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter is performing
well and is achieving what it sets out to do.
The
JSPCA is wholly dependant on the generosity of the public of Jersey, in
both time and money, to achieve its excellent standard of care for the
animals. The States of Jersey
do not provide financial support to the JSPCA.
I
would like to thank everyone who has supported the work of the JSPCA over
the last year. The Annual
General Meeting is to be held on 24th February 2005 at 7.00pm.
All members and supporters of the JSPCA are welcome to attend
although only members are allowed to vote under the JSPCA Constitution
CRUELTY/WELFARE
INVESTIGATIONS:
In
comparison to 2003, the year 2004 has shown an increase in the number of cruelty cases reported to the JSPCA
Animals’ Shelter and investigated by the cruelty officers:
|
|
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Pet
Shops |
5 |
16 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
|
Agriculture/Equine |
45 |
45 |
37 |
14 |
26 |
28 |
|
Small
Animals/Fish/Birds |
34 |
29 |
39 |
15 |
33 |
46 |
|
Cats |
26 |
59 |
18 |
21 |
21 |
24 |
|
Dogs |
75 |
35 |
54 |
29 |
43 |
52 |
|
TOTAL |
185 |
184 |
153 |
87 |
128 |
154 |
There has been a significant increase in the number of cases
involving concerns regarding the health and welfare of small mammals,
typically rabbits and guinea pigs. Unfortunately,
all too commonly, these pets are usually housed in an outside hutch, which
is often too small in size, and these animals also appear to be easily
‘forgotten about’, especially in the winter weather or when it comes to
making adequate provisions for the animals’ care whilst the owners are
away on holiday.
One particular case highlighting this scenario is the case
that was heard in the Magistrates Court in September 2004, which involved a
local businessman. Further to
numerous complaints made by a variety of individual members of the public
to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter regarding the welfare of animals owned and
kept by Mr Alfonso, which perpetuated a lengthy cruelty investigation by
the JSPCA Animals' Shelter, Mr Alfonso was charged with neglecting a number
of rabbits so as to cause unnecessary suffering; he pleaded guilty and was
banned from keeping rabbits for five years.
A total of 36 rabbits owned by Mr Alfonso were seized on an
afternoon in July 2004 and taken to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter for their own health,
safety and welfare, where upon arrival they received the necessary and
appropriate veterinary care. The rabbits had been kept in unacceptable living
conditions, with lack of adequate access to water and food.
On the day that the rabbits were seized, several of the hutches even
contained maggots in the faecal material that had built up inside the
hutches, placing the rabbits at serious risk from ‘fly strike’.
Through
our continuously developing education programme, it is hoped that the
dissemination of information about the importance of caring for and
respecting both pets and wildlife will be significant in improving 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 is probably one of the best
facilities on the Island.
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
have to go into hospital.
|
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Dog boarding days |
4743 |
4710 |
4831 |
|
Cat boarding days |
6800 |
6245 |
7916 |
|
Total boarding days |
11543 |
10955 |
12747 |
The year 2004 has seen a 14%
increase in the total number of cat and dog boarding days, with a
substantial increase seen in the number of cats boarding at the Animals’
Shelter, which may reflect the recognition of the high standards of the
Animals’ Shelter’s boarding facilities that are available for both cats
and dogs. In fact, on average,
1062 cats and dogs were boarded at the Animals’ Shelter each month, which
is equivalent to 35 animals per day!
ANIMAL
AMBULANCE SERVICE:
The
Animals’ Shelter provides a 24-hour ambulance service whereby trained
staff are always on call to rescue injured animals, collect strays and
assist the public in any way necessary.
In
2004 the Animals’ Shelter’s driving staff completed 2837 journeys - the
equivalent of 54 journeys per week. This
is an increase of 6% from 2003.
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
2004 |
2003 |
|
RTA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emergencies |
5 |
6 |
11 |
6 |
10 |
5
|
4
|
1 |
9 |
4 |
8 |
11 |
80 |
84 |
|
Collect
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wildlife |
9 |
6 |
6 |
14 |
9 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
34 |
8 |
16 |
15 |
169 |
134 |
|
Collect
birds |
51 |
45 |
59 |
82 |
90 |
112 |
142 |
77 |
109 |
78 |
48 |
24 |
917 |
791 |
|
Release |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Birds |
10 |
8 |
6
|
15 |
17 |
17 |
33 |
25 |
14 |
14 |
4 |
5
|
168 |
147 |
|
Vet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appointments |
8 |
9 |
20 |
28
|
15 |
18 |
12
|
10 |
7 |
15 |
7
|
6 |
155 |
155 |
|
Paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Journeys |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
14 |
12 |
|
Collect
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bodies |
35 |
30 |
27 |
39 |
35 |
42 |
44 |
36 |
37 |
39 |
37 |
35 |
436 |
449 |
|
Services
for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shelter/strays |
73 |
82 |
81 |
76
|
91
|
65
|
63
|
76 |
59
|
68 |
93
|
71 |
898
|
874 |
|
TOTAL |
192 |
187 |
213 |
260 |
267 |
275 |
316 |
245 |
260 |
228
|
216 |
168 |
2837 |
2646 |
The
Animals’ Shelter’s two main vans completed 21,688 miles over the course
of the year 2004, with the very busiest period for the duty driver being
during the summer months and also the months of March, April and May; the
number of journeys undertaken by the JSPCA driver increased by 29% during
these three particular months (March, April and May) in comparison to 2003.
In
August 2004, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter received a new, much needed
Animal Ambulance, which was kindly funded by a grant that the Animals’
Shelter was awarded from the Pet Plan Charitable Trust. On
receipt of the new Animal Ambulance, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter donated
the old ambulance replaced by the new vehicle to the Alderney Animal
Welfare Society (AAWS), a welfare group affiliated to the JSPCA Animals’
Shelter. The AAWS was founded
in 1953 to offer help to the unwanted animals on the Island of Alderney.
Today it offers veterinary treatment, boarding facilities and
general day-to-day care for animals and wildlife. Many thanks to
the Pet Plan Charitable Trust for all their support, which is invaluable in
helping to ensure the continued good work of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.
The Animal Ambulances are
co-ordinated by the Animals’ Shelter Reception staff who are usually the
first point of contact for the public.
In 2004 the receptionists answered 26,984 telephone queries, which
is an increase by nearly 6% from 2003.
|
The Clinic staff not only care for the pets registered with the JSPCA Veterinary Welfare Clinic, but are also responsible for the health of every animal on-site, including preparing animals ready for re-homing.
 |
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 year 2004 saw a 55% increase
from 2003 in the number of owners deciding to have their pets’ ashes
interred at the Pet Cemetery.
|
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
Communal cremations |
583 |
782 |
713
|
|
Individual cremations |
343 |
336 |
289 |
|
Ashes Interred at cemetery |
34 |
15 |
32 |
|
TOTAL |
960 |
1133 |
1076 |
The refurbishment of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter Crematorium that was started in 2003 has now been completed. For the future, Stephen Le Poidevin, the Crematorium Manager, is considering the development of a Columbarium, as an alternative for pet owners wishing to have a plot at the JSPCA Pet Cemetery. A Columbarium consists of large pieces of stone or marble with niches cut into them where urns are placed, the niche is then covered with a name plaque. Should this project progress, it would be the only Columbarium in Jersey.
The JSPCA Education Centre is flourishing. The Animal Workshops organised by Bob Vincent have become increasingly popular; the workshops are designed to be as practically based as possible and can be adapted for all age groups.
The children’s parties run by Bob and hosted at the JSPCA Education Centre have continued to be very successful events, with parties being held throughout 2004. These parties offer the added benefit of teaching children, who may not otherwise get the opportunity to visit the Animals’ Shelter, about the importance of caring for animals.
In
2004 the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter acted as a host to 63 parties, totalling
1147 guests. In addition, as a
direct result from the tours given to the children and their accompanying
parents at these parties, several animals were successfully re-homed. Alone, the tours given by Bob of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter
saw visitors totalling 442 children and 213 adults.
Alongside
the provision of workshops for schools, the 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.
The
JSPCA Animals’ Shelter strives to offer training on-site for its staff
and in 2004, two staff members finally completed their Level 2 NVQ in
Animal Care. An in-house
training programme is currently being developed, which will consist of a
number of training sessions that are to address a variety of relevant and
important topics.
TREATMENT
AND REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE: 2003 - 2004
|
Bird
type |
TOTAL |
PTS |
DIED |
DOA |
RELEASED |
|||||
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Swallow |
8 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Finch |
4 |
16 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Green
Finch |
4 |
5 |
2
|
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Blue
tit |
15 |
21 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
14 |
|
Wren |
8 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
Little
Gull |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Robin |
6 |
10 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
Kestrel/Sparrow
Hawk |
14 |
12 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
12 |
|
Pheasant
|
28 |
31 |
10 |
29 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
|
Goose |
9 |
13 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
6
|
|
Duck
|
35 |
34 |
15 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
15 |
25 |
|
Duckling |
51 |
83 |
4 |
8 |
16 |
18 |
2 |
0 |
29 |
57 |
|
Barn
Owl |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Water
rail |
6 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Moorhen |
3 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Blackbird |
15 |
31 |
11 |
9 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
13 |
|
Thrush |
71 |
64 |
27 |
21 |
20 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
24 |
29 |
|
Starling |
40 |
46 |
25 |
13 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
26 |
|
Sparrow |
53 |
72 |
24 |
19 |
6 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
20 |
40 |
|
Magpie |
44 |
44 |
24 |
21 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
13 |
16 |
|
Seagull |
274 |
266 |
210 |
206 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
15 |
53 |
39 |
|
Crow |
29 |
13 |
19 |
8 |
30 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
|
House
Martin |
7 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Tern |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Raven |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cormorant |
3 |
11 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Guillemot |
9 |
13 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
|
Razorbill |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Gannet |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Pigeon |
340 |
397 |
186 |
212 |
24 |
24 |
4 |
5 |
126 |
156 |
|
Wood
Pigeon |
11 |
34 |
10 |
19 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
|
Dove |
94 |
124 |
44 |
61 |
16 |
9 |
0 |
2 |
34 |
52 |
|
Fledglings
|
34 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
|
Woodpecker |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Swan |
6 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
|
Swift |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Oyster
Catcher |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Jay |
0 |
7 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Chicken |
3 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Partridge |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Linnet |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Garden
Warbler |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Gold
Finch |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Grebe |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wagtail |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Black
Diver |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Woodcock |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cockerel |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Black
Back Gull |
0 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Injured
Wild Bird figures for 2003 - 2004 continued:
|
Coot |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Chaffinch |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Falcon |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Great
Tit |
2 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
King
Fisher |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
1247 |
1398 |
649 |
674 |
151 |
136 |
36 |
36 |
411 |
552 |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
100% |
52% |
48.2% |
12.1% |
9.7% |
2.9% |
2.6% |
33% |
39.5% |
Wild Birds:
The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter
received a total of 1398 injured wild birds in 2004, an increase of 10%
compared to 2003. Our
continued success in the treatment and rehabilitation of injured wild birds
is evident in the increase in our release rate to 39.5% from 33% in 2003.
Wild mammals, reptiles and amphibians:
Unfortunately, the year 2004 saw an increase in the number of wild rabbits suffering with Myxomatosis received at the Animals’ Shelter, contributing to a 24% increase in the total number of rabbits that had to be euthansed in humane grounds.
|
|
TOTAL |
EUTHANASED |
DIED |
DOA |
RELEASED |
|||||
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Hedgehog |
24 |
17 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
19 |
12 |
|
Rabbit |
138 |
189 |
121 |
160 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
8 |
22 |
|
Mouse
|
4 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Shrew
|
1 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Bat |
7 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
11 |
|
Lizard |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Grass Snake |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Slow Worm |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|