This week we were joined by Dennis Drew, a director and trustee of the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre, and the Mablethorpe Wildlife Rescue Charity.
The Seal Sanctuary originally opened as the Animal & Bird Garden back in 1974 with no inkling that injured seals would soon start turning up. A Wildlife Hospital was constructed in 1990 cementing the organisations commitment to Animal Rescue.
Dennis took over the site some 15 years ago, and has grown it into one of Mablethorpe’s biggest tourist attractions. Now home to around 300 animals that have been rescued from injury or abandonment, its food bill alone is around £70k a year, half of which is spent on fish. Each seal rescued costs the organisation around £2k.
Unfortunately, the lockdowns had a big effect, as the visitors attending during the summer are vital to funding the centre’s year round operations. Furthermore, staff could not be furloughed, given that the animals still needed to be fed and cared for. This burned through a lot of the organisations reserves, and the urgent need to replace the truck used to pick up animals only exacerbated the problem. All this on top of sky-high energy bills.
The Centre has reopened to the public after its winter break, and it really needs a good year to get things back on a solid footing. Here are some of the ways you can help:
- Footfall is key, and every person counts, so why not pay a visit this year? It’s a great place to bring visiting friends and family. Season tickets are also available.
- Buy from, or donate to, the Seal Sanctuary Shop found on the corner of Mablethorpe High Street and George Street (opposite Greggs). The shop is also always looking for volunteers (no special skills required – all training will be given).
- Buy an animal a present! Make a practical gift by buying something on the organisations Amazon Wish List. You’ll find everything from practical items like buckets, to animal food and toys.
- Make a one-off or monthly donation via the Mablethorpe Wildlife Rescue Donations Page on PayPal.
- The centre also needs to reach as many holidaymakers as possible and is always looking for other business and accommodation providers to carry their leaflets and posters.