Harbor seals are the most commonly rehabilitated marine mammal in the UK and North America, with specialized centers providing welfare care for injured and orphaned animals.
Harbor seal rehabilitation is a well-developed welfare specialty with proven protocols for pup rearing, injury treatment, and release preparation. The welfare challenge extends to public education — members of the public frequently attempt to assist apparently resting seals, causing stress and sometimes transmitting disease. The appropriate response to a harbor seal on a beach is observation from a distance and contact with a stranding network, not direct intervention. Supporting specialist rehabilitation centers with donations and volunteering ensures expert welfare care is available for animals genuinely requiring intervention.