Saltdean man opens seagulls hospital in his home

Justin King, from Saltdean, said he was “left with no choice” but to start the sanctuary for fledglings and injured seagulls after many rescue centres stopped taking them in over avian flu fears.

Volunteers like Justin are providing round-the-clock care for birds that might otherwise have to be put down by vets.

“I don’t want to wake up any more, that’s how bad it is,” he said.

“It’s been hell on Earth. It’s a 24-hour job of the volunteers just doing everything. It’s horrible.

“I get up at 7am and it’s feeding time, then I clean them out, and then by that time it is around midday.”

Justin King with a rescue seagull

Justin, who is a gardener by trade, was due to return to work this year, but has sacrificed his career to care for the birds.

“I’m constantly making phone calls, trying to highlight the situation, and then I’m handing the gulls out to fosterers and defer any other jobs I can out to other people. It’s non stop,” he said.

“I don’t sit down until midnight, that’s when I have dinner. Then I’m woken at 4am and have to do it all over again.

“There are people I know who have been in and out of hospital because of emotional exhaustion.”

In June the RSPB announced that the current outbreak of avian flu was the worst the UK had experienced due to its severity and duration.

The gulls are kept in secured storage to stop them flying away

It said that while the possibility of humans catching the flu remains low, people should avoid touching sick or dead wild birds.

When Justin and other volunteers take in seagulls that need help, they first quarantine the bird for five to seven days before taking it into the wider community of rescued animals.

At one stage, Justin had 14 gulls in his home-made hospital, but is now down to just four.

Another rescuer, Nerys Deutsch, from Worthing, has five young gulls in her care at the moment.

Nerys Deutsch, from Worthing

But it is not just the emotional toll that is affecting the volunteers, having hungry young seagulls to feed is having a financial impact.

They have been asking supermarkets for help, but with little success, and are now turning to the public for donations of dog food and washing powder.

“With the cost-of-living crisis, things are tight,” said Justin.

“We need donations in the form of crates, puppy pens, soap powder, cat and dog food, and towels. The water and electricity costs are huge from all the washing we have to do.

Justin is also keeping young gulls in dog cages

“The volunteers are doing a damn fine job, but they need support, which they are not getting.”

Justin and his group are pleading for donations and any help that people can give. Those interested in helping can contact him via jusking1969@gmail.com.