Report an oil spill or oiled wild animal immediately -- Your call could help save a life

Please note - NEVER attempt to wash a wild animal impacted by oil or other pollution yourself - always contact a professional wildlife rehabilitator. 

Learn more about how oil affects birds.

How is the BC SPCA involved in oil spills?

The BC SPCA is a member of the Oiled Wildlife Society of BC (OWSBC) and a trustee in the Oiled Wildlife Trust (OWT). In past oil spill events where wildlife has been impacted, the BC SPCA has provided staff and resource support in the form of rescue, transport, supplies and volunteer management. However, the BC SPCA recognizes the increasing complexity of oiled wildlife response in terms of animal care and logistics, as well as the need to be constantly up-to-date on practices and supplies, and thus is working to establish uniform professional response to oiled wildlife incidents. The BC SPCA believes every wild animal impacted by pollution deserves humane care, regardless of its species or conservation status. Humane care includes rehabilitation to release or humane euthanasia as determined by international animal care standards for oil-impacted wildlife.

The BC SPCA's Wildlife Welfare Department staff work in partnership to promote emergency preparedness and an awareness of oiled wildlife response as a member of OWSBC. The BC SPCA and OWSBC can recommend professional oiled wildlife responders, rehabilitation facilities and provide equipment to trained agencies and/or organizations.

The OWSBC has a 53 ft. trailer containing a substantial stockpile of equipment needed for the initial setup of a rehabilitation centre. In addition there is a 16 ft. triage trailer ready to be deployed to a location where collection of oiled birds is occurring. Inventory includes pens, floating pools, water heaters, washing hoses, and rehabilitation and feeding equipment.

As a trustee in the OWT, the BC SPCA values the strength of cooperation and respects the expertise of other trustee organizations such as the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC, Wildlife Rescue Association, and the Vancouver Aquarium. The OWT supports a uniform professional response to oiled wildlife incidents and can call upon OWT Advisor Focus Wildlife Canada to determine how each trustee can contribute to ensuring the welfare of impacted wildlife.

How can you get involved in helping in the event of an oil spill?

Contact Sara Dubois, BC SPCA Manager of Wildlife Services

*Photos by: Focus Wildlife Canada