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Seal surge prompts RSPCA to launch urgent appeal
A grey seal during her release soon after she was admitted to RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre.
Extreme weather sees record number of seals admitted to charity's wildlife centres

A surge in sick and needy seal admissions to the RSPCA’s wildlife centres has prompted the charity to launch a crisis appeal for donations.

The RSPCA says that a record 350 seals were admitted to RSPCA centres in 2017, up almost 100 from the previous year. As such, the charity has seen its costs soar, with the monthly fish bill alone topping £14,000.

Currently, there are some 150 seals under the RSPCA’s care. Experts at the charity believe the surge is due to a ‘perfect storm’ of extreme weather coming at the height of the grey seal breeding season.

RSPCA head of wildlife Adam Grogan said: “We have never cared for so many seals at this time of the year before.  As storm after storm hit our coastline earlier this winter, more and more seals have been admitted to our wildlife centres in Somerset, Cheshire, Norfolk and East Sussex.

“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time for them - during the pupping season - which means most of these poor seals would have still been dependent on their mother. The seals eat enormous amounts of fish - mostly mackerel - and this represents a huge part of the wildlife centres’ budgets."

To cope with the increase in seal admissions, extra staff and volunteers have been taken on to provide 24-hour care, tube-feeding and medical treatment. The RSPCA said that it takes on average at least three months to rehabilitate a seal back to the wild, so the ongoing costs are significant.

“If it wasn’t for us, these seal pups might have starved to death. But we really need the public’s help because without their donations we simply couldn’t do what we do,” said Adam. “This winter hasn’t been too kind to these seals so far, but hopefully the public’s generosity will bring them a little bit of sunshine.”

For more information about the campaign and to make a donation, visit www.rspca.org.uk 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.