Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at Marine Mammal Center

• What is your mission?

  The Marine Mammal Center advances global ocean conservation through rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education.

• How are donations used?

  The ocean is in trouble. From the depletion of fish stocks to increasing ocean temperatures, human activity threatens marine ecosystems that are vital to the health of our ocean and all life on earth. As a critical first responder to these threats, The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. Marine mammals are ecosystem indicators, and these animals provide insights into human and ocean health threats. Together, we are taking action today to support a network of scientists and stewards to protect our shared ocean environment for future generations.

  Support from people like you makes this critical conservation work possible. Your donations help buy fish and medicine for our sick and injured patients, enable us to reach thousands of children a year through our education programs and support our research efforts to advance marine mammal care and ocean conservation worldwide.

• What can be done with a $100 donation?

  Many of our seal patients arrive at our hospital so young that they don’t even know what a fish is. Before they can learn to track and eat whole fish on their own, our dedicated volunteers gently tube-feed them fish-mash smoothies so they can get vital nutrients. Your $100 donation can provide two full days of nutritious meals to help a tiny pup to grow strong.

• What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

  Thanks to the generous support of our donors, The Marine Mammal has rescued more than 24,000 marine mammals in California and Hawai‘i since 1975. Learning from the patients in our care, we conduct vital research contributing to global scientific knowledge while taking action to address ocean threats and save endangered species. By training veterinary professionals and inspiring future ocean stewards, our expertise spans the globe to protect our ocean and marine mammals.

• What is the history of your organization?

  Founded in 1975 by three animal advocates with little more than kiddie pools, bathtubs and the passion to do what’s right, The Marine Mammal Center has grown into the world’s largest marine mammal hospital and education center.