The B.C. SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
In celebration of its centennial and a bequeathment from a supporter, the Victoria branch of the B.C. SPCA bought 10 acres in Metchosin to open the animal welfare organization’s first — and still its only — animal rehabilitation centre in British Columbia.
The purpose-built facility opened in 1997. It is a temporary home to more than 140 species of orphaned, injured or sick wild animals (it cannot take in bears, cougars or wolves). The animals are rehabilitated and eventually return to the wild. Treated birds range in size from tiny hummingbirds to bald eagles. Mammals include beavers, bats, river otters, baby seals, raccoons, squirrels and deer. The facility even take in reptiles and amphibians, such as garter snakes and the rough-skinned newt.
“The facility treated approximately 1,500 patients in its first year. Last year, we cared for more 3,000, admitting more than 50,000 since we opened in 1997,” said Dr. Sara Dubois, the SPCA’s chief scientific officer at Wild ARC.
The facility has doubled the number of buildings, with some built to better suit the needs of the animals. There are deer runs and pens, as well as a crow nursery so that young crows can develop away from humans.
The facility is not open to the public.
“Wild ARC isn’t a zoo. Here we keep human interaction to a minimum, to keep the risk of the animal’s habituation to humans to a minimum,” said Dubois, who started working at the facility in 1998.
She oversees a small staff and more than 200 active volunteers. Some help care for animals, others, who help prepare meals for them, are called “wildlife chefs”.
The volunteers collectively donate more than 20,000 hours of their time every year.
The main volunteer drive is the spring as the busiest time of the year is in summer, when there is a greater chance of humans interacting with wildlife.
“As there are always people new to the community, it is always a good time to create awareness of what we do,” Dubois said.
“If [new people] see an injured animal their first question usually is: ‘Who should I call?’ We need to make them aware that there is a professional wildlife centre in the region,”
The facility is funded by the B.C. SPCA, the provincial government and individual donations.
For more information, go to spca.bc.ca/wild-arc.
Chance to meet up at Silver Threads classes
Silver Threads Service is helping adults, 55 years and better, connect by hosting a Try it Free Week at its two locations, Sept. 6 to 9.
There will be more than 30 classes to try at no cost. Classes range from Art for Everyone to Zumba Gold and everything in between, including yoga, tai chi and pickleball.
Along with tours, visitors to the Saanich Centre can shop at the Treasure Trove Thrift Store or stop by for beverages, lunch and baked goods at the Silver Spoons Café.
The charitable, not-for-profit society will offer 80 weekly classes this fall. Classes can provide older adults with a safe way to meet and a much-needed respite from the isolation many felt during the pandemic.
The Try it Free Week is at both Silver Threads service centres: 286 Hampton Rd. and 1911 Quadra St. Memberships are valid at both locations.
For more information, or to book your spot, call the Victoria centre 250-388-4268 or Saanich centre 250-382-3151.
The complete Fall program schedule is at silverthreads.ca
Fundraising drive for new community fridge
After a year of near-continuous use, the door of the Community Fridge, at 2725 Rock Bay Ave., is broken. The organizers have launched a GoFundMe campaign to purchase a replacement.
“We had hoped for more longevity, but the fridge was already used when we got it,” said Katy DeCoste, a volunteer with Community Food Support, who manages the Community Fridge.
The refrigerator is a community resource, giving those in need access to free nutritious food donated by locals and businesses.
Volunteers first noticed damage, caused by normal wear-and-tear, on Aug. 11. It was repaired, but broke for a second time last Sunday.
The fundraiser is aimed at paying for the removal of the damaged fridge and a replacement.
DeCoste said they expect to buy a new refrigerator, with a $3,000 fundraising goal. Any funds they receive in excess of the goal will be used to buy food, set aside money for future maintenance and repairs, and acquire a refrigerator for a second location.
First installed in May 2021, support for the Community Fridge by members of the community and businesses has been “affirming”, said DeCoste.
To donate, go to GoFundMe.
Victoria cyclist joins thousands in Tour de Cure ride
A Victoria man battling an inoperable brain tumour is set to ride in Tour de Cure for the sixth time to raise funds to support the B.C. Cancer Foundation, Sat. Aug. 27.
It will be the first in-person ride for three years. The 2020 ride was postponed, and the 2021 ride was virtual.
The Tour de Cure, presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, is B.C.’s largest cycling fundraiser. Proceeds help the B.C. Cancer Foundation with vital research.
Kevin Kendall, who has had an inoperable brain tumour for almost 10 years, will join thousands of riders on a one-day, multi-distance event in the Fraser Valley.
He is a member of the Brainiacs, a team founded in 2009 by four brain-cancer survivors. As a team, they’ve committed to raising $100,000 this year, bringing their all-around fundraising total to $3.5 million.
The Tour de Cure is a fully supported cycling event, with meals, snacks, mechanical and medical support along the route. Participants can choose between 50-, 100- or 160-kilometre distances.
Anyone wanting to donate to support Kevin’s Tour de Cure fundraising goal for the B.C. Cancer Foundation, go to tourdecure.ca.
Firefighting scholarship honours valued assistant chief
Local youth interested in becoming a firefighter can soon apply for a Forrest Owens Memorial Scholarship, set up by the Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association to honour assistant fire chief Forrest Owens, who died from cancer on July 21.
Owens, born in 1958, was with the Central Saanich Fire Department for more than 35 years before retiring, and stayed on as an active paid call assistant fire chief.
The fire department plans to retire the number 14, which Owens had used in the line of duty.
Owens was well-respected in the department. He was involved in fire-member training and led the community prevention and inspection program for a number of years. He was an avid fisherman and coached hockey and lacrosse.
Up to 800 people attended his line of duty memorial service at the Saanich Fairgrounds following a procession from Stelly’s Secondary School on Aug. 14.
People are urged to contribute to the scholarship fund in lieu of flowers.
