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VAMMR

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society

Internationally renowned for its groundbreaking stranded marine mammal medical program, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) responds to over 300 marine mammal emergencies annually and runs Canada's only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility. Over 60 years in operation, VAMMR has successfully rescued and rehabilitated more than 3,000 marine mammals.
 
Thanks to the support of people like you, sick, injured or orphaned seals, sea otters, sea lions, turtles and small cetaceans are given a second chance at life.

 


VAMMR is an independent registered charity proud to be working in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium.
Donations will go directly to VAMMR and help rescue, rehabilitate and release marine mammals in distress.

Our Focus

RescueRehabilitateRelease
Adopt a Rescue Animal Adopt a Rescue Animal

Adopt a Rescue Animal

Symbolic Adoptions directly support VAMMR and will help give our patients a second chance at life.

Adoptions make great gifts, are downloadable, and include:

  • A patient fact card
  • An adoption certificate
  • A tax receipt for your purchase
  • Option to send an e-card to a gift recipient 

Adopt

Report a Marine Mammal in Distress

To ensure your safety and the safety of the animals, please follow these guidelines as you observe and report a marine animal:

  1. Stay back and do not interfere with the animal
  2. Keep other people and pets away
  3. Call 604-258-SEAL (7325)
  4. For large whales and marine mammal incidents call 1-800-465-4336

Please don't try to help an animal on your own. Marine animal rescues are complicated and each case requires careful planning and response depending on the species involved, geography, weather and available resources. 

Rescue Success Stories

As the only program of its kind in Canada, the VAMMR is often the only hope for survival for sick, injured or orphaned marine animals.
 
Meet some famous patients your support has helped:

Joey
 

Joey

Rescued: July 3, 2020

The sea otter pup who stole the world's heart in 2020

Levi
 

Levi

Rescued: March 26, 2013

A harbour porpoise who beat the odds

Donnelly and Dory
 

Donnelly and Dory

Donnelly Rescued: May 23, 2021

The first mother-daughter Rescue Centre patients

Saving Marine Life From Debris

It's estimated that more than 400 sea lions along the B.C. coast are currently caught in discarded rope, nets, monofilament and packing bands. If left untreated, these materials often result in a prolonged and painful death.

Fortunately, with the help of people like you, the VAMMR team has pioneered a way to disentangle and save the lives of these animals.

Learn More
Meet Our Team

Our Partners

Ongoing contributions made by our valued partners are essential to the success of VAMMR. Marine Mammal response efforts are authorized and monitored by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

By donating to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, you become an essential partner in helping give marine mammals a second chance at life.

 

 

 

 

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VAMMR logo VAMMR logo
VAMMR is an independent registered charity proud to be working in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium. Donations will go directly to VAMMR and help rescue, rehabilitate and release marine mammals in distress.

 

Charitable Registration Number – Canada: 76122 3700 RR0001
Contact Us at support@vammr.org.