sea of salt west wildlife rehab The Center, a local wildlife rescue service, is calling for public support as a 600-square-foot clinic in Regina continues to care for an increasing number of injured animals.
Salthaven West Clinic.
Salthaven Wildlife Rehab.
The center says it is seeing an increase in the number of sick and injured wildlife requiring relocation from southern Saskatchewan.
Community Engagement Manager Angela Tremka says they launched a campaign to raise the money in November and are hoping to grow their totals through 2023.
Regina Wildlife Rehab Center launches campaign to raise funds for new location
read more
Tremka said too many of his patients are victims of window collisions, cat attacks, vehicle collisions and habitat destruction. She said that during the past year, they have recruited wildlife patients from at least 90 cities, towns and villages across southern Saskatchewan.
Lined Ground Squirrel.
Salthaven Wildlife Rehab.
Tremka said the current clinic can no longer manage the number of patients needing treatment.
“Right now, as I’m doing this interview, I’m actually working on our exam table that doubles as our office desk,” Tremka said.
“We are looking for a facility that has more space, equipped with isolation and ICU rooms, large outdoor space with lots of trees and shrubs, and space for an upgraded oil wash station, food storage and office space. “
Red Fox Summer 2022.
Salthaven Wildlife Rehab.
“We’ve gone from admitting a few hundred patients each year to now having over 1,500 birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles that need help, all working out of a 600-square-foot clinic.”
Northern Saw-Wheat Owl – November 2022.
Salthaven West Clinic
The patients he sees include birds large and small, from a ruby-throated hummingbird to an American white pelican. Right now he has about 80 patients.
8. Red Fox Summer 2022.
Salthaven Wildlife Rehab.
To prevent bird injuries in the first place, Tremka encourages the use of a product called “bird-friendly window tape,” which basically looks like dots that people might put on their windows.
“It’s very inexpensive and accessible and the birds are actually able to see these dots, even though it doesn’t really impair our view. It prevents window strikes from happening almost 100 percent. It’s extremely effective.”
Tennessee Warbler Window Strike.
Salthaven Wildlife Rehab.
However, it is not just hitting the window that is a danger to birds. She said in Canada, “100 million birds… die every year because of cat attacks and that’s a number I can’t even fathom.”
She suggested keeping cats indoors, or using catios, cat backpacks or harnesses with leashes if you must let them outside.
“Not only does this help protect wildlife, but it also helps keep your pet from getting lost or getting hit by a vehicle or eating something it shouldn’t.”
Anyone who needs help with wildlife can contact Salthaven directly and they will walk them through the process of how to safely contain an animal and bring it to the facility.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made by Website,
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.