Animals' Shelter opens its doors to poorly seal pups

Whiskers, the JSPCA's first seal lodger

Seal pups rescued from Jersey's coastline can now recover here in the island thanks to help from an animal charity.

The JSPCA has opened its doors to poorly seal pups rescued by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue's (BDMLR) team in Jersey.

It follows Guernsey's Animals' Shelter announcing it would not take lodgers this season, as it is being rebuilt.

Whiskers was the first pup to 'break the ice'. He spent time at the shelter after being found at Rocco Tower looking 'flat'.

New Era Veterinary Hospital found him to be very underweight and dehydrated with bite marks down his back.

Whiskers tested the shelter's new digs before being flown to Cornwall in a private plane to a specialised seal hospital.

Whiskers, Jersey's fourth seal pup of the season

The JSPCA has not been able to help with taking in seal pups until recently.

BDMLR's Donna de Gruchy approached the shelter, around seven weeks ago, asking for help due to the rebuilding of the GSPCA, which usually takes the pups.

JSPCA CEO, Tom Noel says he and the committee were happy to sort something out for the team, but keeping Whiskers has been a learning curve for the team at the shelter.

"Certain seals need longer shelter and different-sized ponds.

"At the moment they've got two pens inside, where they're tube-fed by the BDMLR and then, after a period of time, they'll go into one of the outside pens that we have, with outside pools."

Whiskers in the JSPCA seal pup pen recovering

Two pups can stay at the shelter at a time, with facilities such as pools and pens to stay in.

As the pups grow, they will transition into different pools at the JSPCA.

However, the shelter needs help finding a location and funding for a final stage pool for its residents.

Tom says luckily they will not need it until the next pup season.

"Between now and September, we're going to be working with Donna (BDMLR), New Era and the team to try and find a location where we can put that bigger pool.

"It may actually be something we may need to get some funding from our various, very generous, doners, whether that be money for a facility location."

JSPCA seal pup pen

More from Jersey News from Channel 103

Just Played Songs

Weather Forecast

  • Tue

    11°C

  • Wed

    9°C

  • Thu

    8°C

  • Fri

    10°C

  • Sat

    9°C

DAB+ & 107.7 FM in Jersey
soleilradio.com
Channel 103 & Island FM apps
'Alexa, play Soleil Radio'