A Langley refuge for injured and orphaned wildlife is running one of its biggest annual fundraisers, just as a flood of new baby animals is expected.
It’s almost ‘baby season’ at Critter Care Wildlife Society, explained Rod Janz, a spokesperson for the non-profit.
Critter Care is based in Campbell Valley Regional Park, but it takes in sick, injured, and orphaned mammals from across British Columbia’s southwest and Lower Mainland.
As of mid-April, there were 121 animals in care with the charity, including eight or nine bears, a number of raccoons, and a baby skunk. About 300 more are expected to pass through during the summer, said Janz.
He noted that the spring is when young animals are born across B.C., and that often means that many more young animals arrive at the shelter, after being separated from their mothers, hurt, or orphaned.
Most of the animals will eventually be returned to the wild, although some animals are more seriously hurt, and even after recovery would not survive on their own. Those become permanent residents, like Tucker the bobcat.
Feeding and providing care for all those animals is done by a small staff and a large corps of volunteers.
It’s an expensive undertaking, and one way Critter Care pays for it is with the annual 50/50 draw campaign, which began March 18 and runs to April 29.
“We’re hoping to raise $250,000,” said Janz.
The money will cover veterinary expenses, habitat construction, and community education programs.
As of the week of April 12, the jackpot in the raffle was up to $33,000 and climbing.
The draw began in 2021, and the amount raised – and won – has grown steadily since then.
Last year, the draw grossed $135,000.
Tickets for the draw are available via rafflebox.ca/raffle/crittercare.