Seal Pup Shower – Saturday, April 22, 2017

Apr 17, 2017 April Vacation Week

We’re expecting here at the National Marine Life Center…. Seal pups, that is!

Late April through June is harbor seal pupping season in New England, and one of the busiest times for our marine wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Each year, many pups are abandoned by their mothers – often due to human interaction – and will not survive on their own without rehabilitation.

The National Marine Life Center is one of only two seal rehabilitation hospitals in New England. We accept seals from Massachusetts, as well as from Maine and New Hampshire where there are numerous seal “rookeries” (pupping grounds). Once admitted, these pups need to be tube fed a formula until they can be weaned onto whole fish. This is a long and challenging process without a mother seal to teach them how. NMLC staff and volunteers will be providing almost round the clock care to these dependent animals with 5 feedings a day starting at 6am and ending at 11pm. These animals will require a lot energy and resources and we need you to help us gear up and get ready!

We are hosting our third annual Seal Pup Shower Open House, and you are cordially invited to attend. Come celebrate with us and help us prepare the”nursery.” The shower will be held on Saturday April 22, 2017 from 10am-2pm in our Marine Animal Discovery Center located at 120 Main St, Buzzards Bay, MA. The event entrance fee will be waived if you bring a “baby” gift for our pups from the Wishlist below. Activities will include our unique twist of some classic baby shower games, light refreshments, as well as Behind-the-Scenes tours to meet our current patients. Please note that certain animals are in critical condition and may not be viewed.

So what do you get a baby seal? Here is a Wishlist of items we need to help these seal pups get healthy and strong, eating fish on their own, and back to the wild!

SEAL PUP WISHLIST

Health and Medical Equipment
These items will allow us to administer medications, keep animals at the proper temperature, and return the animals to good health.

Formula Ingredients and Supplies
These supplies will allow us to provide the proper nourishment to rehabilitating pups by way of formula tube fed to them until they start eating fish on their own.

Personal Protective Equipment
These items will help protect our staff and volunteers from bites and scratches.

Cleaning Supplies
These items will help keep our hospital clean and sanitary to stop the spread of disease, and follow quarantine protocols within the hospital.

Please consider picking up a “baby gift” for our new arrivals. Your tax deductible donation is greatly appreciated! If you would prefer to make a monetary donation to support the purchase of food, medicine, staff support, and electrical costs please click here to be directed to our donations page! we hope to see you on April 22th!