For more than 50 years, the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMR) has been in place to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals found injured, ill or abandoned, until they are healthy enough to be returned to their natural habitats. MMR is operated solely by the Vancouver Aquarium and receives no ongoing operational funds from either the provincial or federal governments.

The program is available to assist distressed marine mammals from the length of the British Columbia coastline. Sea otters, California and Steller sea lions, elephant seals, cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and sea turtles have all been the subjects of their efforts. On average, they admit and treat more than 150 patients per year.

Funding from the Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation enabled the Aquarium to purchase surgical suite tables, a crane for whales, anaesthetic equipment, an intermediate pool, a ventilator, and a Surgivet Advisor (vital signs monitor).

Wally is one lucky sea otter who was rescued and rehabilitated after being found off the coast of Vancouver Island in distress. He had been severely injured by a shotgun blast, and and left permanently blind. The Marine Mammal Rescue team performed multiple surgeries on Wally, and were greatly aided by the equipment provided by The Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation.