Grey Seals breeding season starts around the beginning of October.  Pups are born with a white and fluffy coat which is not fully waterproof.  They are born weighing between 10 and 12 kg. The mother stays around and will feed them for 3 weeks, the pups gaining weight of up to 60 kg.  The mother at this time will have already mated and returned to the sea. The pup in the meantime will have shed his white coat, and relying on his stored fat reserves, follow his mother out to sea. This is a crucial time for the pups and this is when the MSPCA may become involved in rescuing the ones that are abandoned or were separated from their mothers for whatever reason. The bad weather at this time of the year, coupled with high winds and stormy seas makes it difficult for them to survive. They often find the nearest shelter, and just lie there until they are found and reported to us. Inevitably they are under weight and sometimes cut from being bashed against the rocks by the sea.