FAQs
Wild at Heart Wildlife
Refuge Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kinds of animals are most often brought into the refuge?
We accept any native wildlife species that is in need of our help. This
means that we have encountered many species over the years. The most
common orphaned animals are baby birds and raccoons, although any kind
of local wildlife may come to us with an injury.
2. How many animals does the refuge see in one year?
Wild at Heart treats several hundred animals each year, seeing members
of very diverse species. Most animals that come to the refuge are small
mammals or birds.
3. When is the refuge the busiest?
Throughout the spring and early summer, the refuge sees the largest
number of orphans. Injured animals come in at any time during the year,
but winter is the slowest time!
4. Where do the animals live while they are at the refuge?
The kind of housing used depends on the type of animal. Birds are kept
in cages that are large enough for them to stretch their wings and
equipped with perches to protect the bird’s feet. Mammals are placed in
cages according to their needs; tiny squirrels and weasels must be
carefully contained to prevent their escape, raccoon babies like to have
toys to play with, and very young animals need lots of soft, cozy
bedding to keep them warm and comfortable.
5. What do wild animals eat in captivity?
The nutrition of any animal staying at the refuge must reflect the
animal’s natural diet as well as its current state of health. We have
kitten and puppy milk replacement formulas and rice cereal for the young
animals who are still nursing. For older, more mature animals, we use
high quality pet food, along with a variety of fruits and vegetables as
these become available. For very sick animals, special considerations
are made to provide the best possible nutrition to encourage a fast
recovery.
6. How long do animals stay at the refuge?
The length of an animal’s stay at Wild at Heart depends on several
factors. If the animal has been rescued from a dangerous situation but
is otherwise in good health, a suitable release site will be found and
it will be released quickly. Orphaned animals must stay with us until
they are old enough and strong enough to survive on their own. Injured
animals must stay until their normal function has been restored and they
are ready to take care of themselves. Sometimes, an animal spends less
than a day at the refuge, while others stay for weeks and even months
before being released.
7. How can you tell when an animal is ready to be released back
into the wild?
As soon as the animal is showing normal adult behavior and physical
ability, it is time to start thinking about release. We must ensure that
each released animal is prepared to find their own food and shelter,
escape from predators, and display species-appropriate behavior. This
may involve anything from resting an injured wing until the bird can fly
again to “teaching” raccoon orphans to catch their own fish.
8. Exactly how do you go about releasing a wild animal?
We cannot just open the cage door and expect animals to find their own
suitable living arrangements! Ideally, animals should be released as
close to their capture site as possible. This is especially important
with territorial species, since the addition of one extra animal into a
space can cause big upset for those already living there. The capture
site is not always an appropriate release spot, though. Animals will not
be released onto private property or into an area that is not safe. In
these cases, an alternate release site is chosen to provide the
necessary food and water sources, shelter opportunities, and safety.
9. Who can be a volunteer for Wild at Heart?
Anyone with the time, dedication and patience needed to work with wild
animals is encouraged to volunteer. Qualities we look for include a love
for animals, respect for their wild natures, a desire to help ease pain
and end suffering, and a compassionate heart. For health and safety
reasons, we restrict volunteer members to those over the age of sixteen.
10. What duties and responsibilities do volunteers have?
There are many things a volunteer can help us with! We can always use
some extra hands to help with feeding, cleaning, and exercising our
animals. Those with a special interest can become trained foster parents
for wildlife. There are also various administrative, research, and
fundraising jobs that need to be done. There is no set of rules to
govern exactly what jobs a volunteer must do, however, we do expect each
volunteer to show respect and consideration for ALL of our animals at
ALL times. Our volunteers must be trustworthy and responsible, as there
are animals depending on us for help.
Wild
At Heart Wildlife Refuge Centre