Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Tabby

Tabby joined us in December 2024 and has volunteered with us every week since, braving the worst of the winter weather and supporting the team through one of our busiest pup seasons. Whether it's helping during intensive veterinary visits, assisting with rescues and releases, or stepping in on particularly busy days, Tabby is always ready to lend a hand.

One of her most memorable experiences was assisting with the rescue of a particularly grumpy seal pup named Doughnut. Despite it being her very first rescue, we had every confidence that she would do a fantastic job – and she certainly did.

Over the past few months, we've watched Tabby's confidence grow immensely. Her positive attitude, reliability and willingness to help wherever needed make her a joy to work alongside. She has a special bond with our resident goats, who can always count on fresh bedding, plenty of care and, of course, lots of head scratches when she's around.

We asked Tabby to tell us a little more about her experience volunteering at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.

What's one thing you think people should know about the Sanctuary?

The busiest time of year for rescuing pups at the sanctuary is usually around September through to March, as this tends to be pup season for wild seals, with each season usually seeing the sanctuary rescue between 40 to 70 pups. The animal care team dedicate their time to the rehabilitation of these pups, including caring for injured pups recovering from surgery and night feeds for the younger, more vulnerable pups.

What has been the most rewarding part of volunteering?

For me, the most rewarding part of volunteering has been being a part of Doughnut the seal pup’s rehabilitation, from rescue to release. Beth and I rescued Doughnut from church cove in mid-February of this year, and he was brought back to the sanctuary underweight and weak. It was extremely gratifying to watch him slowly regain his strength and see his feisty personality become more prominent, turning from an exhausted, quiet pup into a more curious and confident one.

Being able to be even a small part of his transformation was very special to me, but the most unforgettable moment was watching him being released back into the wild in late April this year. He was so eager to get back into the sea; it was a very powerful reminder of the importance and purpose of the rescue and rehab work the sanctuary does.

What does an average day at the Sanctuary look like?

First thing, I will usually go and do a deep clean of the goats’ enclosure, cleaning out and replacing all of their bedding and giving the mats inside their shed a good scrub. I really look forward to this part of the day as I enjoy spending time with the goats who have quirky individual characters.

The seals are fed three times a day at 8am, 11am and 2pm - I usually help with the 11am and 2pm feeds. I help prepare their fish by adding any medication or supplements they need to the herring gills, and injecting the fish with water as the fish are bought in frozen, so can lose hydration. I also make jelly for the seals, which keeps them hydrated.

I finish the day with jobs such as cleaning the feed buckets and floors and feeding the goats their hay (making sure they both get their fair share!).

How has volunteering changed your perspective on wildlife and conservation?

Volunteering at the seal sanctuary has broadened my awareness of the vulnerability of seals and other marine mammals in the early stages of life and stormy weather around our coasts, which is when we see the most seal pups in need of rescuing.

It has also highlighted how the care and conservation the sanctuary provides is in part reliant on concerned members of the public contacting the sanctuary regarding apparently injured and unwell pups, which the animal care team will then go out to evaluate. Not every pup that is assessed requires a rescue, and as relocation to the seal sanctuary can be highly stressful, it is important that a specific procedure is carried out first, including the weighing and temperature taking by the animal care team, establishing in some cases a rescue isn’t required.

Working at the sanctuary has reinforced to me the importance of the roles that both the general public and organisations such as the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and groups like Surfers Against Sewage have to play in marine conservation - from being aware of the hazards that littering and pollution pose to marine life, to committing extensive time to nurse and eventually release seals back into the wild. I have found through volunteering that a key part of conservation is education, which centres like the seal sanctuary make accessible to the public all year round.

Thank You, Tabby!

We're incredibly grateful for everything Tabby brings to the Sanctuary. Her dedication, enthusiasm and compassion make a real difference to both our animals and our team.

Volunteers like Tabby help make our rescue, rehabilitation and conservation work possible, and we are so lucky to have her as part of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary family.

Interested in volunteering with us? Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for future volunteer opportunities. Together, we can help protect marine life and create a brighter future for seals in need!