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

Animals' Shelter

138^th Annual Report - 2006

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

Mrs C Vint                                                              Committee Member

Mrs A Tomkinson                                                   Committee Member

Miss V Baal                                                            Committee Member

Mr A Jarrett                                                             Committee Member        

Mrs A Hamilton                                                       Committee Member  

Mr R Bignell                                                            Committee Member

JSPCA MISSION STATEMENT:

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

AN OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR 2006 AT THE JSPCA ANIMALS' SHELTER

There is no doubt that 2006 will go down in the Jersey Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) as a mile stone in the Society’s illustrious 138^th  year history.  A Chief Executive was appointed and the whole footing of the JSPCA’s work was brought back into short focus for all Islanders to see.  This raising of the profile has had some critics but by and large the policy of transparency in all we do has brought in those supporters that otherwise would have been lost to the Society. 

The factual result of this work has been a substantial increase in donations on a daily basis and while the need for funding will always be ongoing the situation has improved when compared to the annus horribilus of 2005.   

There have been a number of new initiatives to obtain corporate sponsorship to assist in the purchase of capital equipments.  This has resulted in Collins Stewart, Goldridge Stone, HSBC, RBSI Nat West and Coutts providing much needed funds for these equipments and we look forward to their continued assistance.  The senior management team continue to tour corporate business with the aim of expanding on these successes.

The area of media activity is often fraught with difficulty and many businesses shy away from what can be a free source of much needed publicity.  The JSPCA has established excellent links with the Jersey Evening Post, Channel Television to get its general message across to the public.  On more specific topics the establishment of “campaign management “ with Channel 103 radio station has seen the lunch of “Towel Aid”, “Ball Aid” and the Great Dog Walk, all of which add greatly to the Island’s year of activity.  The commencement with BBC Radio Jersey of the weekly radio re-homing slot has been a great success with animals spending less time awaiting new homes.  The JSPCA will continue to explore all avenues to maximise this resource in furtherance of the Society’s aims.

The JSPCA could not operate and be the success it is with out the tireless dedication of Committee members, staff, volunteers, benefactors and Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) and I would like to thank them all for their contributions to this continued prosperity.

Major Stephen Coleman, Chief Executive, JSPCA

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 comparison to 2005, the year 2006 has shown an increase in the number of cruelty cases reported to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter and investigated by the cruelty officer. 

In 2005, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter was involved in several successful prosecution cases, which hopefully will have illustrated to members of the public that animal welfare is taken very seriously and that there are penalties for failing to comply with the Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law 1980.  Specifically, in the year 2005, there were 3 cases which resulted in successful prosecutions under the Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law 1980.  These specific cases, which were highlighted in the local media, may have indirectly resulted in more reports of alleged cruelty or mistreatment of animals being received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2006.

In 2006, there was also a noticeable increase in the number of reports involving the work of some pest controllers; some members of the public were, in general, reporting their concerns for the welfare of the animals, specifically birds, that were being dispatched in the line of the pest controller’s work.

This general overall increase in the number of reported cases where members of the public have been concerned about the welfare of animals highlights the need for the enactment of the Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004.  An enactment date for this ‘new’ Law, which is much more comprehensive than the 1980 Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law, is anticipated for the beginning of 2007.  Once enacted, this more comprehensive Animal Welfare Law should act to further help safeguard the health and welfare of the Island’s animals, which of course, are a silent voice.

Through education and the dissemination of information about the importance of caring for and respecting 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 have to go into hospital, for example.

The year 2006 saw an increase in the number of dogs boarding at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, although there was a slight decrease in the number of days cats spent boarding at the Animals’ Shelter. 

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.

Almost exactly one year after the suspension of the 24 hour emergency animal ambulance service due to financial constraints, in January 2006, this invaluable 24 hour service was re-established.  This was achieved through the kind support the Animals’ Shelter received from members of the public.

In 2006 the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter’s driving staff completed 4112 journeys, which is the equivalent of 79 journeys per week.  25.6% 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 very busiest time of the year for the duty animal ambulance drivers was the summer months of June, July and August, 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 2006, the receptionists answered 20,429 telephone queries.  In addition to this total number of daytime telephone calls, 1742 calls were received by the night duty/out of hours animal ambulance driver.  

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 2006, 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, as well as the increased number of animals received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter for re-homing:

Another noticeable trend over the last 3 years is the continued increase in the number of JSPCA animals being prepared for re-homing that have required neutering operations to be undertaken at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter veterinary clinic.  For example, in 2006 the number of cat castrates undertaken at the JSPCA clinic had more than doubled in comparison to the number performed at the clinic in the previous year:

Also in 2006, support was given to Cat Action Trust 1977, one of the JSPCA affiliate member groups, by way of performing pet neutering operations.  The help given to CAT 77 via this “Neuterline” scheme involved the neutering of 23 cats and 1 pet rabbit.

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 2006 saw an overall increase from 2005 in the total number of cremations carried out at the Pet crematorium.  However, the percentage of individual cremations carried out in 2006 was the same as in 2005 (37%), although the number of ashes interred in 2006 has slightly increased in comparison to 2005.

In March 2006, there was upset for families whose beloved pets have graves at the cemetery as in one night vandals disturbed several of the headstones in the cemetery.  This was the second incident of this kind to occur in 2006 and the episodes greatly saddened the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter staff.

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 2006, 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.

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: 2005 - 2006 

Wild Birds:

The year 2006 saw an overall increase in the total number of injured wild birds received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.  However, there was also, unfortunately, an increase in the number of casualty wild birds that died en route to the Animals’ Shelter.

New wildlife rehabilitation ponds and aviary:

The steady annual increase in the number of injured wild birds that are being received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter highlighted the urgent need for larger, more suitable facilities for the rehabilitation of wild birds and through the kind help and support of members of the 43 Headquarters and Support Squadron, 25 Engineer Regiment, it was possible for the project to be completed for use in time for 2006’s influx of orphaned ducklings.

During the rehabilitation period of wild bird causalities, it is important to offer the opportunity for the birds to develop and improve their level of fitness prior to release. Hence it is necessary to provide a quiet and as natural environment as possible, with minimal exposure to humans and domestic animals.  Specifically, the new pond areas will provide much improved rehabilitation facilities, particularly for waterfowl species.  The new ponds have been designed so as to minimise the likelihood of the birds developing foot lesions, such as ‘Bumblefoot’, to which they are prone if housed on concrete surfaces for long periods of time.  Ultimately, the proposed ponds will help to improve the well being of the birds whilst they are recovering prior to them being successfully released back into the wild.

Wild mammals, reptiles and amphibians:

There was an increase in the number of injured wild mammals and reptiles brought to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2006, in comparison to the previous year.  In fact, the number of squirrel casualties that arrived at the Animals’ Shelter in 2006 had more than doubled in comparison to 2005.  There was also an increased total number of wild rabbits presented to the Animals’ Shelter, although of the total number of wild mammalian and reptile casualties received, the percentage of that total being wild rabbits received at the Animals’ Shelter (69%) was similar to that in 2005 (71%). Of the total number of wild rabbits presented to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, unfortunately 85% of them had myxomatosis and hence had to be euthansed on humane grounds.

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 received a total of 490 disclaimed animals in 2006, an increase from the total number received during the previous year.  The total number of small rodents (gerbils, mice, chipmunks and hamsters) and guinea pigs and rabbits that were disclaimed in 2006 is greater than in 2005, as is the total number of reptiles, such as terrapins, snakes and geckos. The overall number of foster animals that were found new homes in 2006 has remained steady in comparison to 2005.

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter strives to find the disclaimed animals and birds appropriate new homes.  In 2006, the dedication of all of the Animals’ Shelter staff resulted in 290 animals and birds finding new homes. 

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 358 stray animals and birds in 2006, an increased number in comparison to 2005:

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.

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 increase in the number of stray cats received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2006 in comparison to 2005 and there was also a slight increase in the percentage of stray cats being claimed (from 74.9% in 2005 to 81.1% in 2006), which is very encouraging:

 Of the total number of stray cats received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, unfortunately 44.4% were dead on arrival, usually as a result of road traffic accidents.  This is a similar figure to that of the year 2005 in which 43.5% 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: 

From the total of 64 of these stray animals brought to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter in 2006, only 11 (17%) were claimed, which is a drop in the number of stray small animals and exotics that were claimed by their owners in 2005 (25.5%):