June results in record-breaking month for wild animals

June was a record-breaking month at Wild ARC with 395 wild animal patients admitted. This was the highest number of intakes for the month of June since the facility opened in 1997.

From January to April 2011, a total of 298 wild animals were admitted to Wild ARC keeping the facililty on pace for over 1,800 patients annually. The month of May was cool and damp leaving staff to think it would be a slow start to spring for local wildlife. But, 294 wild animals found their way to Wild ARC in May alone matching intake for the same month in previous years. However, fewer raccoon babies and deer fawns were admitted than expected for the month.

The number of wild animals admitted to Wild ARC in June 2011 was up 10% from 2010. "It was a combination of a cool spring and a quick warming that resulted in many wild mothers waiting for just the right moment to have their young," says Sara Dubois, wildlife services manager for the BC SPCA. "The raccoon baby and deer fawn numbers spiked plus many other baby birds including ducklings, goslings and robins were rescued."

Although most of the wild babies in care needed medical help, some were kidnapped by well-meaning members of the public who did not know that the mother would return. Animal lovers can learn more about when not to rescue baby birds and deer fawns and educate others by spreading the message, don't touch the babies.

The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) rescues and rehabilitates thousands of wild animals each year. Your gift can help give an orphaned or injured animal a second chance. Please donate today.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.