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Some of our new residents

Usually things start to get quiet around this time of year for the volunteers at the Sanctuary. Not so this year. In fact we are operating at almost full capacity and have admitted 7 new seals in the last 10 days. They range in type from quite large and healthy (like Tiny Tim-top photo) to miniature (Lucky-bottom photo). Some still even have their white coats. We are not quite sure why there are so many little seals in need of our help at this time of year but we are more than happy to give them a helping hand in life. May I also extend our gratitude to members of the public who have brought these seals to our attention and taken time out to telephone us and to wait with the seals until we reach them. You restore our faith in humanity!

Katie.

FUNDRAISING

As you know the Irish Seal Sanctuary is in desperate need of funds to continue its work. We have lots of ways that YOU can help-

1. ***Coming Soon*** Adopt one of our baby seals

2. Set up a Standing Order and be a continual supporter of the Irish Seal Sanctuary:
Our bank details are as follows

Bank of Ireland,
Ashbourne,
Co. Meath,
Ireland
Sort Code: 90-31-89
Account No.: 70291982

(If your yearly donation equals or exceeds 250 euros you are eligible for tax relief!)

3. You can also become a member of the Irish Seal Sanctuary (see our web page for details)

There are dozens of ways YOU can help us raise funds. If you have an idea of your own please let us know!

Cheers!

Katie.

Sonny's Release

Happy New Year everybody!

Today was a big day for Sonny. Sonny came into us here at the Sanctuary about 2 and a half months ago and has had a really rough time. He had to have two operations on one of his flippers in order to remove infected bone. He was in dreadful form for weeks on end due to the pain he experienced.

However...he is now fit and well and was released this morning on the beach in Balbriggan. He couldn't wait to get out into the water and swam as fast as he could out to sea. A large crowd gathered for the event and there was much excitement as Sonny made his way out into the ocean, back to where he belongs. Good Luck for 2009 Sonny-stay safe!

A big thank you to everyone who came along this morning for the release and for showing their support to the Irish Seal Sanctuary.

I am attaching a couple of photos of the release for those of you who were unable to be there.

Best Wishes for 2009.

Katie.

ISS Table Quiz

As many of you know we held the ISS Christmas table quiz in Gormley's of Garristown last night. There was a great turnout and a great night was had by all. We really appreciate the support of all the people who turned up and took part. We also extend our appreication to Stena Line, Iarnrod Eireann, Dublin Zoo and Terry McCoy of the Red Bank in Skerries for donating the prizes. We don't have a final figure for our fundraising efforts as we still have to tot it all up but we think it will be pretty impressive. Thank you everybody and we hope to see you all soon at our other fundraising events!

Katie.

Bobby

Bobby is up in the big pool now and doing really well. Here is a picture of her beautiful little self when she first came in...

Today at the Sanctuary

Hi all!

Very busy at the Sanctuary today. We have 3 new seals in (2 Greys and 1 Common). We have named the two greys Bailey and Philipe and the Common Sydney. The two Greys are in good enough form, they just need to put on some weight. The little Common Sydney is very sick though. He has severe gashes to the face-around his eyes and nose. We're not sure what exactly caused these injuries but we are treating him and hope he will make a full recovery.

Sonny (had a digit amputated a little while ago) is as fiesty as ever and is trying to break his own record for biting handlers-3 so far! Dean's eye has cleared up. We actually renamed him Deana as he is in fact a her! Ebony is still very weak but getting there day be day.

There are 5 seals up in the big pools. Foggy who is almost completely blind is also up there. He loves his fish and chases the volunteers around the enclosure when we go to feed him.

We also have two new seagulls who have various minor injuries-we have put one of them in with our long-term resident seagulls and one is relaxing in a dark quiet place until he feels a bit better.

That's all for now as it's time for the 4 o'clock feed so I have to go.

Katie :-)