Marine Mammal Care Center — Attraction in Los Angeles

Over the past year that I’ve volunteered here as a docent and in the animal care facility, I have never worked with such wonderful people before, such as Heather, Kim, Kelsey, and the rest of the the Saturday crew - the best people in the world that I will miss. Though, I find the veterinarian at this hospital to be a wonderful asset to this hospital who cares for the animals very much. she can often be Neurotic (half the time) a person who easily gets upset and is highly suspicious of visitors and volunteers alike. Making her come off as a bit crazed at times. This is just my personal experience of course, others experience will vary.

Its sad that the education volunteers do not receive the proper training or support needed to ensure factual information is shared with the public, which contributes to a lot of misinformation being passed onto the public. Its even more disappointing to find out first hand the veterinarian is not in support of improving the education program. As such, she silos her department and restricts information that can be used to educate the public and students that come to learn about what we are doing. She claims to be in support of education but does nothing to help the education department improve and pass on correct information to the public.

The real reason anyone should consider volunteering here is for the animals, the main focus is the seals and not the politics and neurotic behavior that might be limiting the growth of the facility. The animals need help and volunteers are badly needed. Especially Jan- Jun months as newborn pups flood the beaches. Its a good place to start volunteering but very limiting. If you want to get more experience consider the PMMC or wildlife center as well.

As a volunteer behind the fence, you will spend 90% of the time cleaning dishes, pens, floors, laundry, fish, and making fish smoothies ( Gruel), and picking up the poop. The remaining 10% is feeding the animals and releasing them and such. Keep that in mind if you are interested in animal care.

I wish this facility the best in the future but due to limitations inside and outside the organization, I can’t ever imagine this organization growing. It will stall and eventually become its own means to its end.

Hope I am wrong for the sake of the animals. But as of this review, that is unlikely.

I still can’t get over the advertisements having the statement seals don’t have health insurance. News flash: Most animals don’t and a good portion of the US population doesn’t have health insurance either. So Why even put that on your adverts.

I don’t mean to be salty or anything of the sorts, I care for this facility and want to see it grow. For the seals, the public, and the...

It's free to view recuperating wild seals & sea lions @ this rehabilitation facility. Volunteers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, & happy to answer questions. There is a classroom they occasionally open up for special events & community outreach/education. Scheduled tours can be arranged too if you have a group that wants to visit. The modest gift shop has nice variety.

Try to time a visit around feeding time to see the patients more active. Be patient with the volunteers when they are in the pens-they have to get out safely before they can talk to you. If you get a chance, it's awesome to see the animals released @ a local beach once they are healthy enough to go back to the ocean-call ahead to get a better idea of when...

This spot is the jam. We love coming here and seeing the sea lions and seals. The staff is always great. They like reservations now so they can keep track of visiting numbers but even walking in we have always been able to get in.

When the classroom is open theres a bunch of neat learning props like seal fur, and gloves to test how fat insulates.

Coming at different times of the year gives you a chance to see different stages of behavior. There was a lot of pups last time we went. Other times there have been a lot of adults, and other times lots of kids-young adults.

If you can, add it to your list of things to check out in the San...