BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) has wrapped up another successful year treating wild animals on Southern Vancouver Island. Even as staff prepare for the next busy season ahead, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the remarkable accomplishments over the past year. Thanks to the dedication of staff, volunteers, and our community, Wild ARC provided care for 2,182 wild animals in 2025, representing 135 different species, each with unique diets, treatment needs and enclosure requirements.
In an average year, approximately 70 per cent of Wild ARC’s patients are birds, with the remaining 30 per cent made up of mammals and the occasional amphibian and reptile. Learn more about Wild ARC’s statistics.
Roughly 80 per cent of animals admitted to Wild ARC require help because of human‑related causes, ranging from vehicle and window collisions, to capture by free-roaming pets and entanglement. While heartbreaking, these cases also present opportunities to reduce future harm through education and community action.
In 2025, a young Black‑tailed deer fawn came into Wild ARC’s care after being struck by a vehicle. Swift action by Saanich Police and the team at the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital ensured this little fawn was safe and got to Wild ARC quickly. The fawn had signs of head trauma and several minor wounds, but thanks to prompt action by the community and attentive care at Wild ARC, the fawn’s condition was stabilized. After just four days of monitoring and recovery, Wild ARC staff were thrilled to reunite the fawn with their mother. Successful reunions like this highlight the importance of collaboration between first responders, veterinary professionals and wildlife rehabilitators, and give young animals the very best chance to thrive in the wild.
Merlins are not frequent patients at Wild ARC, which makes 2025 an exceptional year for this small but fierce species of falcon with a total of nine admitted—more than in the last three years combined. Two of these were young Merlins who arrived just two days apart. Brought in by different rescuers but from the same neighbourhood, it soon became clear that they were siblings who had fallen from their nest too early. Determined to help, the rescuer of the second Merlin tracked down the nesting tree and connected Wild ARC with the property owners. With the nest located high in the tree, Wild ARC needed help to reach it, and the Saanich Fire Department stepped in with their bucket truck! Thanks to teamwork, persistence, and a caring community, Wild ARC staff were able to safely place both young falcons back into their nest, successfully reuniting them with their parents within just a few days of their untimely fall.
Some of the 2025 patients also served as powerful reminders of how everyday activities can impact vulnerable wildlife. Western painted turtles are an endangered species on the Pacific Coast, and are occasionally admitted to Wild ARC after being hit by a car, becoming entangled, or sustaining other injuries. This adult female was admitted to Wild ARC after being found with a fishing hook embedded in her beak. With expert care from a reptile specialist and ongoing treatment from Wild ARC’s rehabilitation staff, this resilient turtle made a full recovery. After 44 days in care, she was healthy enough to be released back into the wild. Incidents like this underscore the importance of responsible fishing practices, including the proper disposal of fishing gear, to help protect aquatic wildlife.
Thank you for another successful year
Every species or situation Wild ARC sees is unique, and this diversity of patients requires wildlife rehabilitators to be highly trained, skilled and prepared for new challenges. Ongoing professional training and memberships with provincial and international wildlife rehabilitation organizations ensure Wild ARC staff are equipped to provide high‑quality specialized care to every animal admitted.
Volunteer support remains essential to Wild ARC’s success. In 2025, volunteers donated an incredible 17,166 hours to animal care and transport, facility maintenance, fundraising, and outreach. While spring and summer are often considered the busiest months, much of the vital cleaning, repair, and preparation work is done throughout the fall and winter, helping to ensure the centre is ready for the next busy season. Wild ARC is deeply grateful for the commitment, compassion, and hard work of its volunteer team.
BC SPCA operations are not government funded and rely entirely on donations from compassionate community members and businesses to continue this life‑saving work for British Columbia’s most vulnerable wild animals. You can help make 2026 another impactful year for wildlife by volunteering, donating to support Wild ARC, or sharing information about wildlife issues with your friends, family and colleagues, and in your community. Follow Wild ARC on Facebook and subscribe to the BC SPCA’s WildSense e-newsletter to stay connected. By learning about and looking out for wild animals, you help make a meaningful difference in their ability to thrive in our communities.