Seal Rehabilitation Sanctuary in Brough, near Thurso, North coast of Scotland.

Details

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  Description

  My name is Clare and my husbands name is Phil, we built our own seal hospital in November 2022, so it is still very new. We are having improvements done this year which will be completed by the time the pupping season starts. This will make the place of work more spacious for our volunteers and more suiting to the seal pups. Myself and my husband have been rescuing seal pups for the last six years. so have plenty of experience. We have six permanent local volunteers that have a varying amount of experience. We also rescue stranded dolphins & whales. We are a small seal sanctuary, we are a registered charity and run by volunteers.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Animal Care
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are situated in the highlands of Scotland, and are the most northerly seal hospital on UK mainland. We are right on the coastline looking over the Pentland Firth with views on a clear day, over to Hoy and Orkney. There is a small bay just below our hospital site which is where we release our seal pups when the are ready. The waters in this area have a vast amount of cetacean species from dolphins to porpoises, killer whales to humpback whales, basking sharks, seals and otters. The cliff faces are a special protected area for nesting birds. We are a five minute drive or one hour walk from Dunnet Head Lighthouse, the most northerly point on UK mainland. Not far from John 'O Groats, Thurso and Wick. There are great walks in the area if that is what you enjoy, you'll meet plenty of great people and experience the Scottish way of life.

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  Registered charity

  This host is a registered charity in the UK and is looking for help with their charity project. Guidance on charity worker sponsorship by a UK registered charity, can be found here.

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  Help

  We do require volunteers during the summer months, at this time we cannot provide accommodation unless you have your own motorhome or campervan.
  
  Start date – 01/07/2024 (Depending on whether we have seal pups in the hospital)
  End date – 31/09/2024 (Depending on whether we still have seal pups in the hospital)
  
  We also need volunteers for the winter months.
  
  Start Date - 01/11/2024
  End Date - 28/02/2025
  
  During the winter months we can provide accommodation.
  
  • We will accept applications from outside the UK for shorter durations of stay. You do not have to stay the whole three month period. Local applicants, we will accept applications only for the three month duration.
  • There will be a shift pattern which will be worked out around the seal pup feeding times. Usually four feed
  shifts per day. Starting in the morning and into the late evening.
  • You will be required to do at least two to three shifts per day if staying on site. If local, at least three shifts during the week and one on the weekend. If you are unable to commit to regular shifts, please do not apply.
  
  The person/people we are looking for must have some experience of working with wild animals. Or caring for wild animals. Someone who has worked with seal pups/seals or sea lions will take preference, or someone with veterinary or veterinary nurse experience would be beneficial. You must have a passion for caring for seal pups, show an interest in learning about them, be enthusiastic. This is not a job for you to just put on your CV. I am not interested in anyone who does not love animals.
  
  
  Role and Responsibilities
  
  • Cleaning Pens - All permanent pens and mobile pens are to be cleaned every morning. Towels to be taken out and put in the washer. Turn the washer on if the machine is full. Rubber mats to be taken out, hosed down and disinfected. Pen floors to be mopped with disinfectant solution. Pen partitions to be cleaned if required. Rubber mats to be put back in pens and a clean towel put down. Paddling pools to be emptied, cleaned, disinfected and refilled and put back in the pens. ICU unit floor (general area) and large pens in building two (general area) to be mopped thoroughly with disinfectant solution when all pens & feeding is finished. (Mop under counters & move the bins etc.)
  • Food Preparation – Skinning and gutting fish. Mixing milk formula, vitamins/minerals, cod liver oil. Washing all equipment and food prep areas after food preparation is finished.
  • Cleaning the pool area and grass area – Hosing/cleaning down any mats, hosing down the pool area & picking up any fish remains. Helping Phil empty & fill the pool. Hosing/cleaning any mats, Clearing the grass area of any fish remains and feaces. Emptying, cleaning and refilling paddling pools.
  • Feeding – This will be done by experienced staff only.
  • Wound Treatments/Medicine Administration/Taking Temperatures – This will be done by experienced staff only.
  • Weighing pups – This will be done under supervision from a experienced staff member.
  • General Duties – To keep all areas of the hospital clean, tidy and presentable. To keep all stored disinfectant containers etc. clean. Clean all splash-back boards, surfaces, cupboards, fridges etc. Filling & emptying the washing machine. Hanging out & bringing in towels/laundry. Emptying bins. This is just a general idea of what needs doing. There may be more general duties as we get into the season.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  During the summer months (April to September) we operate a B&B and a Campsite. Therefore we cannot provide any accommodation unless you come in your own campervan/motorhome or tent etc. You will get a free camping pitch, electric hook-up (campervans only, sorry), use of the toilet and showers, the man cave, (free electric for charging phones/laptops etc.) and kitchen if needed (B&B guests have breakfast in the morning so the kitchen will not be available from 7am-11am. Likewise after that, we have a cafe which uses the same kitchen, therefore you will need to be aware of that.
  Laundry can be done as well.
  During the winter months a twin room will be available, with an ensuite bathroom. Laundry facilities are available, as is WIFI. You will need to buy your own groceries and cook your own meals. The kitchen will be shared with us.

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  What else ...

  This is a very small community, very rural and quiet. During the spring/summer months when you will be here, it can be lovely. We do have good days in the summer where you can go for a walk, drive into one of the nearby towns, help out with seal surveys, visit the great beaches, Dunnet Forrest, and just enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. During the summer months it is very busy here with visitors from all over the world.
  Someone who would be happy at this busy time, someone who loves the environment, enjoying wildlife and the outdoors will be a bonus. During the winter months it is quite the opposite, cold, wet and very quiet. We do have some good days in the winter but not many. But it is still beautiful here.
  
  Applicants must be able to speak and understand English.
  Having your own transport would be a helpful as public transport here is not reliable and it is not very regular.
  
  We are looking for people interested in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing seal pups back into the wild, not for people who are looking for a cheap vacation.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a campsite with electric hook-up that is available.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We do accept pets on the campsite but they are to be kept on a lead at all times. There are not allowed in the rehabilitation centre or in the rooms we provide in the winter.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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