Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau is delighted to release new stamps commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA). The stamps will be issued on 14 February 2024, coinciding with the culmination of the GSPCA’s year-long celebrations marking its anniversary.

Founded in 1873, the GSPCA’s key aims are to prevent cruelty to all animals, rescue animals in distress, provide shelter for strays, and foster kindness and consideration in the treatment of animals and birds, whether domestic or wild. As well as being one of the oldest charities in Guernsey, it is also one of the first to be formally registered in law. Its role now, as in those early days, of preventing cruelty and promoting kindness to animals, through education, remains as strong as ever.

The stamps depict a wide variety of the less common animals, which the GSPCA is called to rescue, treat and look after, comprising: –

65p (Local letter up to 100g): Common Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

£1.20 (UK letter up to 100g): Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)

£1.36 (EUR letter up to 20g): Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus)

£1.68 (ROW letter up to 20g): Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

£2.65 (Local Large letter up to 750g): Guinea-Pig  (Cavia porcellus)

£2.71 (EUR Large letter up to 100g): Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post said: – “We are absolutely thrilled to commemorate the GSPCA’s 150th anniversary. This wonderful organisation is funded entirely through the generosity of the local community and without donations, monthly giving, legacies and their members, the GSPCA wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of animals every year that come through its doors. The charity makes such a positive difference in so many ways, both for animals and our local community, and it is the only all-animal welfare organisation working 24/7, 365 days a year in Guernsey.

“Throughout 2024, our revised stamp values will provide Post Offices and customers with the flexibility to use single stamps for some of the small parcel rates. Future stamp issues will provide a range of options, from standard letter for all regions, though to local parcels, large letters, and small parcel rates elsewhere.”

The stamp products are available to pre-order from 31 January 2024 at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling Philatelic Customer Services on +44 (0) 1481 716486.