Help needed for charity caring for grey seal pups

THE RSPCA has launched an appeal for donations of both money and equipment to help stranded seal pups.

Following the tidal surge last week, the East Winch Wildlife Centre in Norfolk is brimming with seal pups and is appealing for donations to help look after them.

More than 100 pups are being cared for at the centre, many of which are still less than three weeks old, and would still be dependent on their mother's milk.

Alison Charles, East Winch Wildlife Centre manager, said:
“We have never had a seal rescue project on a scale as big as this before. If it wasn’t for us, these seal pups would starve to death. But we really need the public’s help because without their donations we simply couldn’t do what we do.
“This couldn’t have happened at a worse time. We are at the height of the grey seal pupping season, which means most of these poor seals should still be dependent on their mother’s milk
“Christmas hasn’t been too kind to these seals so far, but hopefully the public’s generosity will bring them a little bit of festive cheer.”
Along with donations to help fund the care of the seals, the centre is also appealing for practical items used by centre staff to rehabilitate the seal pups. These may be taken directly to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre at Station Road, East Winch, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 1NR.

Items include:
    ▪    Industrial liquidiser
    ▪    Industrial dishwasher
    ▪    1L and 2L plastic measuring jugs
    ▪    Washing-up bowls for seals to drink from
    ▪    Stainless steel dog bowls to warm feeds in
    ▪    Calf matting to keep the seals comfortable and warm
    ▪    Large sachets of Lecture
    ▪    Knee pads and cushioned kneelers used by staff during feeding times
    ▪    Scrubbing brushes, deck brooms and handles
    ▪    Milton tablets to sterilise funnels after feeding
    ▪    Milk, tea, coffee and sugar to keep the staff and volunteers going
    ▪    Fridges in working order

The centre does not need any more towels following a recent successful appeal.

If you wish to make a donation, you can text SEAL01 followed by how much you would like to donate to 70070 (for example, SEAL01 £3).