The BC SPCA

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WildSense - The BC SPCA wildlife eNewsletter

May 2013

Dear friend,

The busiest season of the year for wildlife is in full swing! British Columbians are also enjoying warmer weather and are looking forward to a busy summer of outdoor activities ahead.

Therefore, it’s a great time to remind ourselves of how to be wildlife-aware when out on the trails and beaches this year. What would you do if you saw a bear or cougar when camping? Who do you call if you see an injured wild animal? What happens if an oiled bird washed up on the beach? Be sure to visit our Wildlife Welfare web pages to find all the answers and be ready to help local wildlife.      

Also just a reminder, this week is also your last chance last chance to help the BC SPCA prioritize which wildlife issues the organization should be focusing on in the future. Please take a few minutes to answer the BC SPCA’s Strategic Planning Survey and be sure to share it with family and friends.  

With appreciation,

 Sara Dubois, BC SPCA wildlife services manager

Sara Dubois
Manager, Wildlife Services

PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.

 

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What wildlife issues should be the BC SPCA addressing? Take our short survey

The BC SPCA is seeking public input about pressing animal issues facing BC communities as it begins a strategic planning process to guide its programs and services from 2014 to 2018.

This survey is your chance to help the BC SPCA prioritize a variety of animal welfare issues including topics specifically relating to wildlife in BC such as: wildlife rehabilitation, urban wildlife conflict, monitoring humane pest control, oil spill response preparedness, exotic animal advocacy, hunting or trapping methods and more.

Please complete the BC SPCA’s Strategic Planning Survey and share the link with your friends and colleagues in BC so they can let the organization know what issues are most important to their communities.

Photo Credit: Focus Wildlife

 

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Dangerous crossing – a lucky Red Crossbill survives rescue from a roadside

Found injured at the side of a busy roadway, a female Red Crossbill was rushed to Wild ARC by a concerned member of the public on March 30. Unfortunately, the male companion of the stunning finch species, did not survive the crossing. The injured female crossbill was suffering from severe head trauma, very likely the result of being hit by a car.

After a month in care, her wound healed after intense treatment from expert rehabilitation staff.

On April 29, the crossbill’s citizen rescuer picked her up and returned her to a safe wooded area close to where she was found.

More...

Photo Credit: Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator

 

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Spring cleaning for the birds

Did you know that diseases can spread quickly and easily in unattended bird baths and feeders?

Birds who feed in large groups, such as pine siskins, goldfinches and house finches, are particularly susceptible to illness. The following tips will help keep your baths and feeders clean and healthy for your feathered visitors.

Bird baths:

  • Change water every few days to get rid of debris, or more often when many birds visit
  • Using a stiff brush and running water, scrub bath a few times a month to remove algae and bacteria

Bird feeders:

  • Avoid wooden feeders as they cannot be disinfected properly. Soak dirty plastic or metal feeders in a bucket (not the sink) in a solution of 10 per cent white vinegar or 10 per cent bleach for about 10 minutes. Scrub feeder and rinse it thoroughly. Allow to dry well before re-hanging and repeat this process every few weeks
  • Rake the area underneath the feeder regularly to remove droppings and old, mouldy seed

More...

Photo Credit: Jen Coles, 2012 Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest


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Family of wildlife tenants

Skunks under your porch? Squirrels in your attic? Raccoons in your shed?

Come spring, our homes often provide attractive nest sites for wild animals such as squirrels, skunks and raccoons. They are warm, dry and secureperfect for raising babies!

Sadly, not all wild families are able to stay together. Many are unexpectedly separated when the mother is trapped, leaving the babies behind.

Find out what you can do to help prevent unnecessary wild orphans and who to contact if you find babies in need.

And remember, during a warm summer, some mothers can have a second litter of babies, so baby season does not always end in spring for these hard working parents! 


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Provincial Call Centre now fields wildlife calls

The BC SPCA Provincial Call Centre opened in March as a toll-free province-wide hotline (1-855-6BC-SPCA) to report cases of animal abuse and neglect.

Expanding its role, the Call Centre is now available seven days a week (8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) to answer general wildlife inquires and direct injured wildlife calls to local rehabilitation centres in BC.

Previously branches throughout the province would receive many of the same types of wildlife callsbaby birds out of the nest, dive-bombing crows, raccoons under the deckand often these questions have the same response no matter where you live in BC!

The consolidation of wildlife calls will also help the BC SPCA track the types and amounts of calls the organization responds to.   

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2013 Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest coming July 1st

The 5th year of the BC SPCA’s annual photo contest is set to begin on Canada Daywhat better way to celebrate Canada’s wildlife!

Photos must be taken in BC and can feature wild animals in their natural settings or in backyard habitats. This is great way to get out and explore the amazing and diverse species of wild animals that we share this beautiful province with. Funds raised from the contest go towards caring for injured and orphaned wildlife at the BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre.

Photo Credit: Joanne Buxton, BC SPCA 2012 Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest


 


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The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia. The Society provides a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

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