The Scottish SPCA has issued an urgent appeal for donations today as they asked members of the public to ‘save our seals’.

We rely on a water treatment plant at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross to be able to rehabilitate and release around 200 seals and thousands of seabirds every year. Unfortunately, the water treatment plant has now broken down. The centre is without the necessary water supply to care for these animals and we now urgently need to raise funds towards the costs of replacing the system.

Manager of the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre, Chris Hogsden, said, “We are in urgent need of donations towards the water treatment plant here at the centre.

“We’ve already had to send four seals to our friends at Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary as the issue with the water supply means we’re unable to care for the animals here.

“Our team will be sad to say goodbye to them but we know they’ll be in the best possible hands with the team at Hillswick.”

The seals were flown to Hillswick on 26 July with the help of AKKI Aviation and Inverness Airport. Their support allowed a team of wildlife rehab experts to travel with the seals to Shetland via plane.

Graham Mountford from Akki Aviation said “We are delighted to be able to support the Scottish SPCA in the relocation of these wonderful animals to Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary in Shetland and look forward to being able to help further in the future.”

The Society has worked with Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary on a number of occasions previously, most recently when they helped with the release of rare Arctic seal, Hispi, in 2021.

Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary founder Jan Bevington said: “When the Scottish SPCA called asking could we help with the care of their common seal pups, there was no hesitation on our part.

“The Scottish SPCA has helped us invaluably over the years and we are only too happy to return the favour. We love nothing better than collaborating with other animal welfare organisations. In these times wildlife needs us all to work together on their behalf.

“It just so happens that for the first time in the sanctuary’s 35-year history we have had no common seal pups brought in from around Shetland’s coast this year, which has been a source of concern to us, but it means we have plenty of room for our new visitors.”

Although the four seals flying to Shetland takes some of the pressure off of the team at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre, the water treatment plant remains a cause for concern due to other animals in the centre’s care.

Chris continues, “Another five seals remain in our care while an alternative site for treatment is sought.

“In addition to the seals, we also have hundreds of seabirds and waterfowl on site who came in to our care before the current bird flu restrictions and are waiting to be released.

“We cannot stress enough how vital this water treatment plant is for us to be able to continue our work rescuing and rehabilitating Scotland’s wildlife.

“We know times are tough for everyone and we do need to raise a large sum of money, but even the smallest donation will help towards our target.

“We’d be so grateful for anything members of the public can spare, and we know Scotland’s wildlife will be too.”

Donations to the water treatment plant can be made via the Scottish SPCA’s website here: https://bit.ly/3b6tr2b