Wildlife rescue in need of donations

Between an expansion, an increasing number of patients and growing bill costs, Healing Haven Wildlife Rescue is requesting donations to meet its demand.

The wildlife rescue was incorporated as a registered charity in 2012. President and founder of the organization, Mark Dallyn said the rescue receives anywhere from two to 15 animals in need of care each month.

“The (winter) is a little slower, but in the summer time it’s getting busier every year. I’d say we’re doubling in numbers,” he said. “The food, vet bills and housing costs really start to add up.”

The wildlife rescue takes in nearly any animal; anything from small songbirds and mice all the way up to raptors, owls, deer and black bears.

According to Dallyn the most common patients have been hit by a car, shot with a gun or smaller animals caught by dogs and cats.

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When the animals are brought in they’re given an initial exam, and from there it goes to see a veterinarian. They receive surgeries which need to be done, then Healing Haven houses the animals in appropriate facilities.

Dallyn added part of the reason they are asking for donations is the need to expand the infrastructure to meet government regulations.

“There’s a lot of facilities which need to be built or made bigger and better and that’s an ongoing thing,” Dallyn said. “We’re currently working on a four and a half acre black bear pen to rehabilitate black bears and we’re the only facility able to in the province.”

Dallyn is looking into government grants, however, hasn’t procured one yet.

Until approved, Healing Haven runs solely on donations and fundraisers. The organization has one major fundraiser held each fall, Wild for Life which helps pay for operating costs. 

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOW’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski.