March 4, 2011

Members of the public are invited to take a unique behind-the-scenes tour of the BC SPCA’s Wildlife Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin during a two-day Open House event on March 26 and 27. The event, which will take place between noon and 4 p.m. both days, is a rare opportunity to see wildlife up close and to learn about the fascinating work of wildlife rehabilitators.

Wild ARC, one of the 37 branches that make up the non-profit B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cares for more than 1,800 injured and orphaned wild animals each year.

Wild ARC is normally closed to the public in order to give injured animals the best chance of reintegration into the wild once their rehabilitation is complete.  “The less human contact they have, the more successful their release into their natural environment will be,” says Wild ARC administrator Angela Kendall.  She says the annual Open House is the BC SPCA’s opportunity to showcase the animals cared for at Wild ARC and to offer a look at the day-to-day operations of a wildlife rehabilitation centre.

One of the exciting features of this year’s Open House tour will be the new aquatics facility that is currently under construction and will officially open this spring.  The facility, made possible through supporters like TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Eaglecom Foundation, Shell Canada Limited, the estate of Ruth Petticrew and several local municipalities, is made up of a series of outdoor cages and pool systems with a sophisticated filtration system that not only ensures a steady flow of clean water to the pools, but is also able to separate oil from water in the case of birds or mammals rescued from oil spills.

“This new facility meets a critical need that we have had to provide housing for injured and orphaned river otters, beavers, mink and aquatic birds such as swans, geese, ducks and seabirds,” says Kendall.

Wild ARC is located at 1020 Malloch Road in Metchosin. Only 1,000 guests can be accommodated during the two-day Open House event so reservations are required. 

Register online at spca.bc.ca/tourwildarc to reserve a spot for your family and friends!

The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre treats thousands of wild animals each year and is the only facility of its kind on southern Vancouver Island. Your gift can help an injured, ophaned, sick or distressed wild animal receive individual treatment for eventual release back into the wild. Please donate today.

Photo captions: A mallard duckling (top) and baby gull (bottom) are just a few of the patients who receive care and rehabilitation services at the BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC). A new acquatics facility scheduled to open in Spring 2011 (middle) will be featured during the two-day Wild ARC Open House, March 26 and 27.

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.