This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains. Pictures by Daniel Guerin

VISITORS to the GSPCA’s first summer festival on Saturday at the Chemin Le Roi showground had plenty to do.

‘It’s a family day out and there’s something for all of us,’ said Angela Snell.

‘The kids seem to be enjoying it and it’s nice to see dogs behaving themselves. It’s nice to meet other dog owners, too, and things are reasonably priced – I’ve bought a stack of books for 20p each.’

Proceeds from the event will help to build a new animal welfare and hospital block. Operations director Jayne Le Cras said the existing building was probably the oldest on the charity’s Rue des Truchots, St Andrew’s, site.

‘When the new animal welfare legislation comes into force, the existing building will no longer be acceptable because it’s old and archaic,’ said Mrs Le Cras.

‘The care the animals get is second-to-none but it’s a disadvantage that we have to provide it in such decrepit conditions.’

The cost of the development is not expected to be much short of £0.5m. and planning permission is still required.

‘It would be nice to think that we could start work next year but there’s a lot of fund-raising to do and the animal welfare legislation will dictate,’ said Mrs Le Cras.

Animals in the existing block will be moved to the boarding cattery while work is undertaken and she said this would require at least one year’s notice.

Hundreds of people turned out for the festival held at the showjumping ground and Mrs Le Cras said she was grateful to the British Showjumping Association for making it available.

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Jamie Le Tocq, 5, and Teddy.

Article posted on 8th July, 2008 - 3.59pm