After two long years and many hurdles cleared, Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre’s (GWRC) new trailer was finally ready to receive its wildlife patients requiring indoor care – and on Friday, April 24, these animals were moved into their new more spacious abode.
The 32-by-12-ft. trailer contains eight large cages, nine smaller ones and two spacious aviaries. It also has a washroom plus a bath, kitchen, and washer and dryer. The number of animals that can occupy a cage varies. For instance, a single small cage can contain several nestlings or squirrel kits.
The Rehab Centre not only nurses animals back to health for eventual release, but also cares for various unreleasable animals, such as Hershey the rabbit with a deformed leg, Jack the anti-social crow, and owls Woody and Dexter, who can’t fly.
In a statement of gratitude, GWRC proprietor Irene Davy thanked the many local businesses that volunteered their services, including their tradesmen and equipment, and those who donated supplies.
“Thanks also to volunteers such as Don Kernan, Cornelia Van Berkel, Leroy McLennan and Carl Olsen who together spent hours designing and modifying the interior of the trailer to suit the needs of a wild animal hospital, and the many other volunteers too numerous to name, but whose help was nevertheless very much appreciated,” Davy said,
She also thanked Jane Orrom for her GoFundMe appeal and the many people who responded to the appeal with donations, the Sunshine Coast Community Forest whose Legacy Fund “helped us over the hump,” and the 100 Caring Women Group who helped in the project’s final stages.
“Lastly, this project would not have been possible without the support of GWRC’s many donors and the Sunshine Coast community,” Davy said. “On behalf of the wildlife needing help that will be coming to us in the days ahead, we sincerely thank all of you.”
Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is located at 1211 Carmen Rd., Gibsons. It can be reached at 604-886-4989. Donations are always appreciated.
– Submitted
