Maine animal lover and harbor master Harry Whitney (Keith Carridine) lives in an intolerant seaside community where he is frowned upon for having a house full of injured animals which he cares for, and where his youngest daughter, Toni (Tina Majorino), is considered an outcast in her grade school. When they take in a seal--lost and separated from his brood--and name it Andre, Harry and Tony nurse the personable creature back to health. Soon they discover that the animal has changed their lives as much as they've changed his. Unfortunately, a certain member of the town has a particular dislike for seals and will do his best to see that Andre is sent far, far away.