Organization Mandate & Programs and Project Description - Wild ARC

Organization Mandate & Programs

Wild ARC, the BC SPCA's Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (wildarc.com), is the only wildlife rehabilitation centre on southern Vancouver Island. Wild ARC was opened in 1997 in response to the increasing need for a specialized facility to care for injured and orphaned wildlife in the Capital Region, and in 2002, it was established as a separate branch of the BC SPCA. Fifteen years later, Wild ARC now serves most of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, treating nearly 2,500 animals a year. In 2012, 61 wild animals came from the Town of View Royal. Although this only accounts for 2.5% of our intake, with the average cost of treating one patient being just over $200, this is significant investment in the welfare of View Royal's wildlife.

The mandate of Wild ARC is to provide humane care to injured, orphaned, sick and distressed wildlife based on established rehabilitation standards and the animal's natural history. The facility also aims to educate the public about wildlife, animal welfare, and co-existing with nature, as over 80% of the wild animals treated are impacted by human activity.

Wild ARC is permitted by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Canadian Wildlife Service to rehabilitate small and medium sized birds and mammals. However, its operations are not funded by either the provincial or federal government. Wild ARC relies entirely on the charitable support of compassionate individuals, businesses and local municipalities, like View Royal. The facility operates 365 days a year, managed by 4.5 full-time staff, with the aid of over 150 volunteers. Wild ARC is not a zoo, but rather a hospital which is not open for public viewing to ensure that the animals are kept in a stress-free environment during their care. Therefore it can be difficult for the facility to raise the funds needed to maintain operations and grow as the need for services increase.

Last year, Wild ARC saw the largest intake since opening - a total of 2,464 wild animal patients were directly admitted, while hundreds of others were triaged at local veterinary clinics under our guidance. Further, 2012 was the first year that the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre (Saltspring Island) which previously served the Gulf Islands, transferred all non-marine mammals to Wild ARC. These wild animals vary in degree of injury and length of treatment, which can last from several days to many months. Without the BC SPCA's wildlife services, many View Royal residents that find these wild animals would turn to the Town for assistance, as local vets are unable to care for wildlife without specialized training, facilities, and government permits.

We believe that Wild ARC as a registered charity and a unique local organization, should be eligible to receive municipal support, and we are very appreciative of your consideration this year and past support for our work. Without our services, View Royal residents, though well-meaning, would likely attempt to illegally care for injured wildlife and potentially endanger themselves, their pets and the wildlife. We are currently seeking municipal support from around the Capital Regional District to make capital improvements to our outdoor cages. We are very thankful for the past support in 2006-2009 from View Royal, Saanich, Sooke, Esquimalt, Highlands, and Langford towards facility improvements (water line) and capital building projects. We have not applied for a View Royal Project Grant since this time. Additionally, the District of Metchosin waives our property taxes annually to support our rehabilitation efforts.

Project Description & Purpose

This year, Wild ARC aims to replace two original outdoor pens constructed in 1997, in order to properly care for both avian and mammal patients at later rehabilitation stages. These original wooden outdoor enclosures are no longer functional as after 15 years in a temperate rainforest, they are falling apart and are no longer predator-proof. Although we have attempted to make repairs to these cages at different times, they have now officially reached the end of their lifespan and are no longer useable.

The majority of the funds (approx. $40,000) have been secured from a generous legacy left to Wild ARC. The remainder (approx. $10,000) will be raised through designated donations and municipal grant in-aid support for capital projects. All CRD municipalities with grant-in aid programs will be approached in 2013, with request amounts based on area resident populations and incoming animals from the area.

BC SPCA Wild ARC Financial Statements and Project Budget

Please find attached the November 2012 financial statements for BC SPCA Wild ARC and for BC SPCA consolidated (among our 40 locations), as well as Audited 2011 statements. A 2013 approved budget for Wild ARC and specific project budget from our contractor Kouba Construction are also attached. This company has previously completed several capital renovations at the facility and regularly donates back contractor fees or provides services at cost. Further, he has an excellent relationship with local suppliers and business, often getting building supplies at a discount or donated in-kind.

Benefits to View Royal Residents

Wild ARC gives presentations to school and scout groups in the area and participants in community events throughout the year. We also currently have 10 dedicated volunteers that travel from View Royal weekly to tend to the animals at Wild ARC and we are always open to accept new volunteers from your community. All View Royal residents can benefit directly from the unique educational experience of bringing their family to visit our annual Open House (April 6 & 7, 2013). This is a rare opportunity to see the inner workings of a wildlife hospital and we offer a special tour for View Royal Council every year on the Friday before the public event.

However, the greatest benefit to the residents of View Royal is knowing that wildlife injured or orphaned in their community can be cared for by Wild ARC, and knowing that we are there to answer the thousands of phone calls from the residents of View Royal and the Capital Region, regarding nuisance wildlife, how to prevent wildlife fatalities and addressing concerns of wildlife diseases such as West Nile Virus and Avian Flu. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to apply for such funding on behalf of our charitable organization to continue serving the citizens of View Royal.