Yesterday afternoon the GSPCA rescued a 4th grey seal pup.
The very poorly pup was spotted just behind the pond on Route de Pulias, often called the Smelly Pond.
The GSPCA Volunteer Warden was the first to arrive on the scene before other GSPCA team members arrived to help the sick seal pup.
With 3 seal pups already in the care of the GSPCA, the team had to prepare for the 4th pup whilst ‘Sealia’ as she has been called was being rescued on the North West of Guernsey.
Sealia at only 4 weeks was found underweight, dehydrated with a number of injuries and is now in an intensive care area at the GSPCA.
Jersey seal pups Marty and Andrew and local seal pup Gully continue to improve and now more than ever the GSPCA are appealing for donations from towels to mackerel, herring to funds to help with the 4 poorly pups on their road to recovery and back to the wild that are at the GSPCA.
Geoff George GSPCA Animal Collection Officer and Head of Marine Mammals said “We are hugely grateful to the member of public who called in after seeing the poorly seal pup and to all the team that helped with the rescue and prepare the seal pen for Sealia.”
“Sealia is about 4 weeks of age and despite being quite lively when we tried to capture her she is very poorly and very underweight.”
“Sealia joins Guernsey seal pup Gully and Jersey seal pups Marty and Andrew.”
“Marty is doing very well, so now has access to one of our pools and Andrew and Gully strengthen each day.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We now have 4 hungry seal pups and we are appealing for their care and you can donate directly to them via these links https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) , https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JerseyandGuernseySealPups or direct via paypal www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA .”
“It was a very challenging day and very busy at the GSPCA on Saturday and now having a 4th seal pup means we are busier than we have been in over a decade with the number of seals we have, not to mention 100+ hedgehogs, 30 hamsters, 26 rabbits and over 500 animals in total.”
Geoff George continued "It is getting late in the pup season but if anyone spots a seal pup in Guernsey healthy or not we urge people not to approach them and to give us a call on 257261."
Steve Byrne continued "Gully, Andrew and Marty continue to improve each day and we will of course keep everyone up to date on their progress as well as Sealia.”
“A healthy grey seal pup should look like a fat sausage and you shouldn't be able to see a neck, but if in doubt please send a picture in or give us a call."
"Often healthy seal pups will have their Mother watching them from out at sea and it is people that has scared them off, so please do keep your distance and your dogs under control."
"We are hugely grateful to all that have donated blankets and towels to help the seals and we are still appealing for more to help them and the many animals at the GSPCA and we also continue to appeal for fresh fish and donations to help these poorly seal pups.”
“If you don’t have any fish you can also donate to them via our online page www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA .”
“We have recently launched our Buy a Brick campaign to build a new Wildlife Hospital and to find out more please check out our leaflet or drop me a line.”
To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf
Here is information if you find an injured animal you can call us 24/7 on 257261 or check out our wildlife advice pages - http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice “
Every Autumn and Winter the shores of the Bailiwick see grey seal pups being born.
The earliest grey seal pup we have rescued in recent years was Temperance who was found during the last week of October last year.
In recent years every winter the GSPCA have helped rescue and care for grey seal pups.
If anyone see's a pup with or without a mum we really do appreciate a call so that we are aware of its location and condition, but here is some advice.
A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.
Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.
If a Seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.
If a Seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 day or night
When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:
- Exact location; nearest town / village
- Position on the beach, and state of the tide
- How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
- Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
- Length/colour/condition.
Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.
To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .
Some grey seal facts -
- Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
- A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
- A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
- Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
- Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
- Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
- Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
- There are 18 known species of seal in the world
Here a few links with ideas to help the animals in our care and wishes we are trying to raise funds for so please do get involved with GSPCA Purple Week http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-purple-week and help us help those in need -
You can donate via our giving.gg page or create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To donate to Sealia, Gully, Andrew and Marty the seal pups please visit - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups
To donate to help Ellie the cocker spaniels life saving operations Just Giving page please visit - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gspcaellieappeal
To visit the Just Giving page raising funds for life saving Intensive Care Units please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gspcaintensivecare or to buy one directly for the Shelter please visit https://brinsea.co.uk/small-animal-care/tlc-intensive-care-incubators/tlc-30-advance/
To become an Angel pen pal Sponsor please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf
To download a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf
To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf
To donate to the animals in our care another way is our paypal page - www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
If you would like to help at one of our upcoming events please give Michelle a call on 257261 or email [email protected]
To see some of the animals looking for homes at the GSPCA please visit – http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
Another way to support us is our on site Charity Shop and refreshment area and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-onsite-charity-shop
If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days
For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship
On Monday 7th January we have a volunteer induction evening and for more information and additional induction dates please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To see our upcoming guided tours please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/guided-tours-gspca
To see our Wish List on our website please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
To visit the details on the Kennel Floor Appeal please visit - www.gspca.org.gg/blog/urgent-kennel-floor-appeal-%E2%80%93-kennel-flooring-work-discovers-need-new-drains-and-completely-ripp
To learn about the ‘Buy a Brick’ in the new Wildlife Hospital and find out more please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launch-buy-brick-proposed-new-wildlife-hospital
To learn more about our biggest project, become an Exclusive Build Partner and support our Wildlife Hospital please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner
To visit our Amazon Wish list please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
For lots more ideas on how you can support the shelter and the animals in our care then please visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
If you think the team or an individual goes over and above some international awards open for nominations currently are –
The ADCH & Petplan Awards - https://www.petplan.co.uk/about-petplan/charities/
The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards – http://www.cevawelfareawards.com/
To find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
To see our upcoming guided tours please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/guided-tours-gspca
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