About
Wildlife Rescue Association of BC was established in 1979 to rehabilitate wildlife affected by human activity and provide education to the public on co-existing with urban wildlife. Since that time more than 140,000 animals have been treated by Wildlife Rescue. As a result, we have become an international leader as the busiest wildlife centre in Western Canada.
Our Vision… To continually improve the welfare of urban wildlife.
Our Mission… To provide leadership in rehabilitating wildlife and in promoting the welfare of wild animals in the urban environment.
Wildlife Rescue runs its wildlife hospital 365 days of the year on the south shore of Burnaby Lake, and we rescue and treat wild animals from across the Lower Mainland, the rest of BC, and further afield.
With a team of professional wildlife rehabilitators and technicians, and an army of volunteers, we provide a temporary refuge to a diverse range of animals. Once the animals in our care are healthy and ready to live in the wild, we release them back to their natural habitat.
Our Impact
In 2023…
Wildlife Rescue admitted 4,991 animals to the wildlife hospital. Our team of expert wildlife technicians and specially-trained volunteers provided animal care for 121 unique species of birds, 17 mammal species, 6 reptile species, and 2 amphibian species.
Support Centre staff and volunteers had 39,848 interactions with people in need of help. We work diligently to help the public navigate situations involving wildlife, as well as guide the public through best practices when they find wildlife in distress. We also work in conjunction with federal agencies, universities, and museums in Canada for the purpose of contributing to the science of animals in the wild.
The Rescue, Transport, and Release (RTR) Team travelled a total of 52,041 kilometres to aid in our mission. This service is essential for the rescue program, as well as releases to the wild, or to bring animals to partners for continued care.
Our dedicated group of 267 volunteers gave a combined 21,806 hours of volunteer time and expertise to wildlife.
Wildlife Rescue’s mission is achieved year-round through high-quality education. We reach hundreds of thousands members of the public through social media, email, seasonal newsletters, televised and print media, and visits to our website.
