Seal Pup Season Begins in the Channel Islands - GSPCA Shares Advice for Islanders

Seal Pup Season Begins in the Channel Islands - GSPCA Shares Advice for Islanders

As autumn arrives in the Channel Islands, the GSPCA is once again reminding islanders to give seal pups space and help ensure they get the best possible start in life.

Whilst Common Seal pup Delilah continues to do well in GSPCA care, the charity is now preparing for the start of the Grey Seal pup season, when young seals can often be spotted resting on beaches and around our coastline.

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:

"As we move into autumn, we begin to see the arrival of seal pup season around our shores. We are delighted that Delilah, our current Common Seal pup, continues to do well, but we are now entering the Grey Seal pup season when we traditionally start to receive more reports from around the islands."

"The Channel Islands are incredibly important for seals, and we want to ensure every pup has the best chance of survival in the wild. One of the biggest threats to young pups can be unnecessary disturbance from people, dogs and water users."

"Sadly, many casualties we have dealt with over the years have resulted from mothers being disturbed and driven away from their pups far too early. If you see a seal pup on a beach, the best thing to do is keep your distance, keep dogs well away and allow the animal to rest undisturbed."

"Many people are surprised to learn that healthy seal pups can spend long periods alone while their mother is feeding at sea. This does not mean they have been abandoned."

"Over the years the GSPCA has helped dozens of seal pups and, with every successful rehabilitation and release, we are reminded how important it is that the public reports concerns and follows the correct advice."

"If anyone is concerned about a seal pup, the easiest thing to do is call our 24-hour emergency number on 257261 for advice."

The GSPCA continues to appeal for support for its ongoing #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, which includes the construction of a new Wildlife Hospital that will help care for wildlife casualties, including seals, for generations to come.

Steve added:

"The new Wildlife Hospital is part of the biggest building project in our 153-year history and will transform the facilities available for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Guernsey. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the appeal so far and would encourage anyone who can help to get involved."

If You Spot A Seal Pup

If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, you may consider monitoring it from a safe distance for up to 24 hours.

Unfortunately, too many seal pups are taken into captivity unnecessarily because people assume they have been abandoned.

A healthy pup often appears plump, well-fed and content resting on the beach.

Please Remember:

• Do not touch the seal.
• Keep dogs and other animals well away.
• Keep a safe distance and avoid causing disturbance.
• Never attempt to return a seal pup to the sea.
• Do not encourage the animal into the water.
• Contact the GSPCA if you are concerned about its welfare.

We do like to know of any sightings and please do send pictures of any pups from a safe distance as we like to monitor in case the mother does not return within 24 hours, or the pup appears sick, injured, thin or distressed, please call the GSPCA on 01481 257261.

Information Helpful When Reporting A Seal Pup

When reporting an injured, sick or potentially abandoned seal, please try to provide:

• Exact location and nearest town or landmark.
• Position on the beach and state of the tide.
• How long the pup has been observed.
• Whether the mother has been seen.
• Any disturbance or risks to the animal.
• Details of any wounds or signs of illness.
• Approximate size, colour and condition.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to support the GSPCA's wildlife rescue work:

• Donate to animal care: https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
• Donate fresh mackerel and herring for wildlife patients.
• Support the new Wildlife Hospital appeal: https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

To watch a video of seal pups previously cared for by the GSPCA, visit:

https://youtube.com/shorts/1EuW3XU87wQ?feature=share

For advice regarding seals or any wildlife emergency, please contact the GSPCA's 24-hour emergency and animal welfare line on 01481 257261.

Please also remember to keep your pets and other animals safe during periods of stormy weather and high winds, particularly animals housed outdoors.

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .

Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal

To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

To see animals looking for new homes

https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals

To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA

To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog

Upcoming events

• World Animal Month October 2026
• World Animal Day 4^th October 2026
• Feral Cat Day 16^th October 2026
• National cat Day 29^th October 2026
• Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
• Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
• Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
• Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
• World Wildlife Conservation Day 4^th December 2026
• Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
• Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10^th April 2027

Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”

“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”

“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”

“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”

“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “

“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “

“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”

"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."

"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."

“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”

“To visit our x page please click here .”

“Thank you for your support.”