Ever wondered what happens to wildlife that gets into trouble in our urban and rural communities?
BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) has been helping to raise orphaned wild babies, heal injured wild animals and treat a range of wildlife illnesses since they opened their doors in 1997. They are proudly celebrating their 20th year of live-saving work!
The Wild ARC facility is normally restricted to staff and volunteers as they work to save these wild lives, but there’s one weekend each year when community members are invited behind the scenes to get a glimpse of wildlife rehabilitation in action.
This specialized centre is generally closed to the public to give patients the best possible chance to recover and return to the wild. However, during their annual Open House weekend they welcome the public to explore the facility and discover how they help the community’s wild neighbours.
Members of Wild ARC’s friendly volunteer crew guide small tour groups through the 10-acre property, showing how the rehabilitation team cared for more than 130 different species last year.
“It takes a lot of knowledge and planning to be able to help such a diverse range of species,” says Wild ARC’s assistant manager Heather Schmitt.
“We admit wild patients ranging from delicate baby hummingbirds to feisty injured river otters to ocean-faring seabirds – each species requires specialized housing, care, and nutrition, and we’re able to provide that in one multi-faceted facility.”
Wild ARC’s Open House will take place between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday April 1nd and Sunday April 2rd – tour reservations are required – please visit spca.bc.ca/tourwildarc.
There is no charge for this family-friendly event, but gifts of food and supplies to help care for the animals are much appreciated and a wish list is provided with registration.
To avoid potential stress, no wild patients are available to view, but a live educational raptor will be on-site. Wild ARC is located at 1020 Malloch Road in Metchosin. Only 1,000 guests can be accommodated during the two-day event, so reserve a spot today with your family and friends!