Volunteers and Members
Dear Volunteer,
First, please accept our congratulations! You have taken the first step
towards becoming a wildlife volunteer, and we feel confident that you
will find it a very rewarding experience.
In order to prepare you for what lies ahead, we have designed this short
introduction to Wild at Heart. Here, you will find information about
Wild at Heart; its facilities, patients and staff, as well as some
valuable information about being a wildlife volunteer and what the task
entails.
Dr. Rod Jouppi, who has been treating native wildlife for over twenty
years, directs the Wild at Heart refuge. Dr. Jouppi, Dr. Carolyn
Lariviere, certified veterinary technicians, clinic staff and volunteers
see and treat hundreds of animals each year, representing most of the
common wildlife species in the area. To date, the refuge has been a
temporary home to almost anything that resides in Northern Ontario,
playing host to moose, deer, bears, skunks, foxes, raccoons, snapping
turtles, owls, eagles, hawks, ravens, and a wide range of songbirds.
Once an animal arrives at Wild at Heart, the veterinarians, along with
staff and volunteers, make arrangements to ensure a stay that is as
comfortable and as stress-free as possible. Warmth, nourishment, and a
quiet, safe home are provided for each animal while it waits for a turn
with the veterinarian on duty. Once it has been examined thoroughly, the
veterinarian decides the next course of action. At times, cage rest and
gentle handling are all that are required to make a full recovery. Other
animals are in need of much more extensive care, including surgery or
medication. In the worst cases, the animal is deemed incapable of
rehabilitation or has injuries that are not possible to fix. In these
cases, the animal is humanely euthanized, with special attention paid to
minimizing the amount of stress the animal experiences.
It is important to keep in mind the various safety issues involved in
working with wild animals. We must always remember that although they
may be cute, these are still wild animals. They are built to be able to
defend themselves, and they may use these defenses on you! Do not let
yourself forget about their beaks, talons, teeth, and claws, or you will
be the one needing medical treatment! In addition, wild animals are
commonly carriers of bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can make you
or your pets very sick. Good hygiene cannot be stressed enough, and it
is best to keep young children, elderly people and those suffering from
any illness out of direct contact with the animals.
The ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to release the animals
successfully back into the wild. In order to do this properly, the
animal must not become domesticated, or “tame”. This is achieved by
minimizing the amount of human contact and by careful attention to
housing and handling procedures. While we understand the natural
curiosity concerning wild animals, we must stress the importance of
keeping human contact to a minimum. It is essential that wild animals in
our care receive care and attention, but we must resist the temptation
to treat them as pets. We must remember to keep wild animals wild so
that they can be successfully released.
Dealing with injured and orphaned wildlife can be an extremely
fulfilling activity. However, it can also bring great frustration and
sadness. It seems to be part of human nature to become attached to the
adorable little orphans who treat you as their “mother” or to secretly
wish for a miracle cure in a hopelessly injured animal. The relationship
that develops between a wild animal and its care-giver is special, but
it is important to remember that eventually, it must come to an end. The
goal in wildlife rehabilitation is to re-introduce the animals back into
the wild in such a state that they are capable of surviving on their
own. This means that we, as humans, often must say good-bye before we
really want to. It is essential to be prepared, as a wildlife
foster-parent, for this separation. It is also necessary to be aware of
the possibility that the animal will never be released.
For various reasons, many wild animals brought to a rehabilitation
centre will fall ill or fail to recover and either pass away on their
own or be humanely euthanized in order to end their suffering. We do our
best to help every animal that comes to us, and we have faith in our
volunteers to do the same. Sometimes, however, our best is not enough to
ensure a successful release. It is an emotional and difficult situation
when an animal passes on after so much effort has been made in an
attempt to save it. Each one of us has to find our own way to get
through such an unfortunate and confusing situation. Allow yourself to
mourn if that’s what you feel. Lean on family or friends for support,
but do not give up. The best thing you can do for the ones who don’t
make it is to try even harder to achieve success with the next animal
you meet.
It is our hope that this brief outline has provided you with a general
understanding of the goals of Wild at Heart, as well as the rewards and
heartaches involved in being a volunteer. Without the selfless
dedication of our kind-hearted volunteers, Wild at Heart would surely
falter. Through the hard work and long hours devoted to rescuing our
local wildlife, we can make a difference in the lives of animals and in
the community around us. The most surprising difference you may notice,
though, is in yourself.
Sincerely,
The Staff of Wild at Heart Wildlife Refuge Centre
Wild
At Heart Wildlife Refuge Centre