In 1988, a disease ‘Phocine Distemper Virus’ hit the seal population in the U.K, leading to 23,000 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) dying in Europe, which was 60% of the North Sea harbour population. This resulted in the RSPCA forming a Seal Assessment Unit, in Docking during the outbreak of the disease through ‘Operation Seal Rescue’. It not only became apparent that seals but also other wildlife were in need of support, and a permanent facility to allow for their rehabilitation was required. The RSPCA purchased and converted an old farm building in East Winch (Gayton road, PE32 1LG) which opened in 1993. Originally named ‘Norfolk Wildlife Hospital’, as time passed, the centre was eventually renamed to ‘RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre’.
As the centre developed we have updated our facilities to include: An Isolation unit, Orphan room (rearing orphaned wildlife), Wash room (washing oiled birds), Drying room (dry oiled birds), Indoor seal pools, Indoor flight aviaries, Indoor hedgehog rooms, Veterinary corridor:X-ray facilities, Surgery, Outdoor aviaries, Bird of Prey flight aviary, Swan paddocks, Outdoor mammal paddocks, Outdoor seal Pools…and more!

Our purpose is to rehabilitate and reintroduce British wildlife back into the wild. We will admit all British wildlife from frogs, to snakes, to hedgehogs, to owls, to puffins, to foxes, to deer, to seals! We have specialist wildlife vets and nurses based at the centre daily.
We’re well known for our work with seals, but our wildlife centre does so much more. Hedgehogs are the number one animal we admit yearly!

If an animal is truly abandoned or injured then call us on: 0300 123 0709. The telephone line is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday only. Outside these hours please call the centre however bear in mind we may be unable to answer as we are feeding and caring for all our animals with no reception support.

Please read our advice on orphaned wild animals and injured wild animals before contacting us about them.

Our doors are open for the admittance of wildlife casualties from 8am to 9pm.