The Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre was established in 1999 by the late Francois Hugo under the Seal Alert Banner. Since inception, the facility has operated from the same premises in Hout Bay Harbour, South Africa. After Mt Hugo's passing in 2018, the centre was run by a group of volunteers, who formerly registered the organisation as a Non-Profit Company. and ensured continued compliance.
Throughout this time, They have remained dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Cape fur seals. this is the only dedicated seal rescue and rehabilitation facility in the Western Cape, and one of only a handful in South Africa. They operate on a 24/7 emergency response basis.
Every seal rescued receives urgent medical intervention, nutrition and behavioural rehabilitation, with the ultimate goal of reintroducing them into the wild again. Their work goes beyond wildlife care, it is frontline conservation and public protection.
The distances they travel, the hours they keep and the lives they protect, both animal and human, speak to the irreplaceable nature of their services. The absence of Hout Bay Seal Rescue would leave a dangerous gap in the ability to manage both wildlife emergencies and associated public risks.
The centre is on the brink of closure because of a lack of funds to be able to do what they need to do. Your donation will enable them to stay open and help the animals in need.