Seal-Reality Is Sometimes A Difficult Pill To Swallow. Since making an appeal for contributions towards seal rescue costs a week ago, 10 supporters have collectively contributed $250 US Dollars. Seal Alert thanks each of you most kindly for the support and will be tanking each soon. However, my reality at the seal rescue facility, is that rescued seal pups are consuming 29/5kg boxes of pilchards a day in two feeds, this is costing me a day R1740 or $217 US Dollars. I trust therefore you see my predicament. I have to fund approximately R52 200 ($6500) in fish purchases alone each month, to continue the rehabilitation of the seals rescued and brought in by the public. I simply cannot continue spending $6500 a month and only receiving support of $250 or even $1000. This is the reality I have to face alone, there is just insufficient support for what I do and the saving of seal lives. As such, I will have to stop taking in seals brought in by the public, and instead only rescue those seals that come to my facility or those I can afford to personally save. The responsibility of continuing the rehabilitation of all those seals rescued falls directly on my shoulders, and therefore I have no option in the month’s ahead, to focus my attention not on educating, creating awareness and informing the general public, but instead finding the money to pay for existing rescue costs over the months ahead. As such this will be my last entry for awhile, as I need to focus on my business with my wife, to drive it to increase profits, so that I can self fund my responsibilities to these seals. Trust you will all understand. Thank you once again, for all the support, and lets hope the Ombudsman makes a positive finding to end the largest slaughter of seals that causes so much unseen suffering and misery to tens of thousands of seals affected by this nationally driven cruelty. -
PS – I will not be responding to enquiries, comments or emails, as I simply do not have the time. Please understand that I face somewhat of a crisis, and finding $6500 a month to continue rehab is no easy task, in addition I have staff at the centre and other costs to pay for and fund as well.
Francois Hugo
