Staff wages the main cause of £45,000 loss at GSPCA

Wednesday 2nd January 2013, 5:00PM GMT.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne holding a copy of its annual accounts for 2011. He believes it is essential that all charities publish them. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 1286732)

GUERNSEY’S largest animal welfare charity made a loss of £45,000 last year, its accounts have revealed.

The GSPCA spent more than £380,000 on staff wages and States insurance in 2011, £40,000 up from 2010, but its voluntary income amounted to only £231,428.

Its coffers were boosted by £296,000 received through boarding income.

Manager Steve Byrne said the expertise of the shelter’s staff was key to its success.

‘I think inevitably any charity of this size requires experienced, knowledgeable trained staff who are reliable and care.

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1
Stiletto

January 2, 2013 at 7:50 pm

Steve Byrne needs to acquire some manners, his unfortunate quote of ‘only £231,438 received via donations’ is sadly lacking in basic courtesy.

That is a great deal of generous financial care for animal subsistence;

Other charities, set up for human needs, and work just as hard, and who receive donated funds of far less, always acknowledge and say thank you.

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- PLP
  
  January 2, 2013 at 9:47 pm
  
  Without sounding like the harbinger of doom this was inevitable.
  
  Charity is a competitive business – there are a huge number of charities squabbling over a limited pot of money. That’s why we’re seeing more inventive ways to raise money like the Bourgs lottery and the recent lottery to win a flat. It’s also why many charities move into revenue generating commercial ventures like charity shops.
  
  It’s good that the GSPCA is getting money from its boarding operation. Long term I can see this becoming even more important.
  
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- glep
  
  January 3, 2013 at 8:28 am
  
  To be fair – it wasn’t a quote from him that said “only £231,438″ – it was said by the journalist…
  
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- GSPCA
  
  January 4, 2013 at 6:05 pm
  
  Hi,
  
  We are very grateful for every penny donated, it all makes a huge difference and when interviewed no mention was ever made to detract that we appreciate every single donation no matter how large or small.
  
  The GSPCA is 140 years this February and we hope that one and all will celebrate the work that goes on 24 hours a day helping care for animals in Guernsey and the wonderful individuals that have ensured this since 1873.
  
  We always strive to ensure we thank every individual, group and business who donates to the GSPCA from letters, online, verbally, in the paper and we are especially grateful to anyone who leaves a Gift in their Will to the GSPCA to help animals in Guernsey.
  
  Thank you to all of our supporters and everyone who cares for animals. We receive no state aid and rely on your support
  
  For more information please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg
  
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2
Local Lass

January 2, 2013 at 8:53 pm

Good on the GSPCA for doing a good job and local charities should show the public of Guernsey their accounts.

It’s time that local charites were locally audited and regulated!

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3
Lara

January 2, 2013 at 9:39 pm

please remember that this story is edited by the guernsey press.
The headline makes it obvious that this story is not meant to do the shelter any favours.
quite the opposite in my opion.
I know for a fact the gspca staff are not what you would call well paid,are dedicated and hard working.this makes them look very mercenary.
no mention of all the non paid work that the staff do,the fundraising the going in early as theres not enough hours in the day to get everything done.
no mention of the likes of River(Geoff)
George going in to tube feed seriously ill seals every three hours through the night UNPAID.disgraceful headline..

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4
jeanieweenie

January 2, 2013 at 11:29 pm

I worked on a voluntary basis under several Managers but Geoff was always there and,long after I had left, helped me considerably when my dogs boarded overnight and arrived safely with Geoff, already sedated and ready to face their first flight.
I agree wholeheartedly with all the positive comments about the staff and wish them well in 2013.

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