About Us
The Marine Mammal Center is a leading organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of marine mammals. Since its founding in 1975, our mission has been to expand knowledge about marine mammals and their ocean environment, while inspiring global conservation efforts. At the heart of our mission is animal welfare, and we are committed to responding to suffering animals and providing them with life-saving care.
Our work extends beyond individual animal care to encompass the health of our ocean and human health. We recognize that marine mammal health is closely connected to the health of our planet, and our efforts aim to raise awareness about human impacts such as pollutants, ocean trash, overfishing, and global warming. By rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals, we not only give individual animals a second chance but also serve as sentinels of the sea, alerting us to the dangers they face.
We operate a state-of-the-art hospital in Sausalito, California, where we admit hundreds of marine mammals each year, including California sea lions, northern elephant seals, harbor seals, fur seals, southern sea otters, and Steller sea lions. Our team of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and volunteers provides comprehensive care, including assessment, treatment, husbandry, and critical care. We also conduct post-mortem examinations to investigate causes of death and disease processes, contributing to ongoing marine mammal health research.
In addition to our rescue and rehabilitation services, we offer educational programs that aim to bring these critical issues to light. Our teaching hospital is a critical training ground for health and welfare professionals from around the world, providing hands-on learning experiences in marine mammal medicine and conservation. We collaborate with international veterinary fellowship programs, residency placements, and internships to ensure that the next generation of marine mammal caregivers and researchers is well-equipped to tackle the challenges facing our oceans.