JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

March 2010  

PROJECT SUNFLOWER 

The Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animals’ Shelter (JSPCA) is looking to engage students in all years in taking an active role in the provision of care for disclaimed companion animals of all species in the Island.

As you are no doubt aware the Society receives no financial assistance from the States of Jersey and needs to raise over 25k per week to continue with its on going operations which include 24 hr Animal Ambulance, Welfare Clinic, Foster Clinic, Cruelty Investigations and Education in support of companion animals of all species with in the Island.

The Society has successfully engaged with a number of Schools who will be under taking grow between 1 – 50 Sunflower plants over the spring/ summer/autumn terms.  On reaching maturity the plants will be harvested and then the seeds removed from the flower heads and bagged in 10grm amounts. Each plant would need to have its seeds weighed as there are prizes for the student or students that had the plants with the largest crop, plus an additional prize for the individual plant with the largest weight of seed in its flower head. 

Once the plants have been harvested and the seeds bagged in 10gm batches a second phase will begin, where these would then be sold, for either human consumption or as treats for wildlife at an early autumn or winter term school event to raise money for the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.  All left over seed bags could then be donated to the Animal Shelter where they would be used as treats for those species of Animals which need a varied seed diet.

This activity combines a number of life business skills from across the spectrum of the Jersey economy including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, marketing, advertising and finance, this diverse base makes the enterprise ideal for either one or more students as it does not concentrate on one particular pillar of the Jersey economy or life skill discipline.  The intent is to hold this as an event each year with the ultimate aim of producing school trading companies with their own competitive markets and informal seed stock exchange.  The concurrent activity to this enterprise would be the integration of education on how to care correctly for the wide range of companion animal species found in Jersey.

The initial start up cost is very small as the plants can be grown by sowing direct into ground if available or in any discarded receptacle or made up grow bag, the major start up cost is the initial seed which will be provided by the JSPCA Animals Shelter to all participating schools free of charge.

For more information please contact Major Stephen Coleman Chief executive JSPCA on 724331 or e-mail info@jspca.org.je

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

• The Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) was founded in 1868 with the intention of attempting to change public attitudes towards animals.  The Jersey Animals’ Shelter itself was founded in 1913 by Miss Francis Elizabeth Wilson and in 1926, the JSPCA formed a Committee to assist Miss Wilson in her work.  The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter provides a large range of services in the field of animal care and welfare, offering help and advice to all members of the public.  These services include the rescue and rehabilitation of injured wildlife, welfare investigations, a lost and found service, re-homing, boarding, the 24hour animal ambulance service and education.  

ENDS