Injured wild animals have been flocking to Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in growing numbers.
Already this year, more than 1,000 animals have been cared for at the Metchosin facility.
In 2011 Wild ARC treated less than 2,000 animals. In 2012 the number spiked to about 2,500 and for 2013 the numbers are continuing to rise.
Island Wildlife Nature Care Centre on Salt Spring Island has scaled back the animals it cares for and has increased its work specifically with seals.
About 300 animals were brought to Wild ARC last year from the Gulf Islands that would have formerly been cared for on Salt Spring Island.
Wild ARC manager Kari Marks said not only do more people learn about the facility every year, an increasing number of animals are negatively impacted by humans, causing the centre’s patient load to rise.
More animals means more funds are needed to operate the facility.
“Each year it costs half a million dollars to run Wild ARC,” said Marks, noting the money covers utility overhead, staffing and food and medicine for the animals.
Wild ARC accepts cash donations as well as such items as liquid laundry detergent, bleach and high-quality canned dog and cat food.
For more information visit spca.bc.ca/branches/wild-arc/
charla@goldstreamgazette.com