"10 Questions With......"
Clint and Irene Davy
Operators of the Gibsons Wildlife Rehab Centre
December, 2010 Interview

What was the initial motivation for establishing the GWRC and what inspires you to continue doing this costly and very time-consuming work?

We started as original founding members of the Wildlife Rescue Association in Burnaby when we lived in Richmond, and as there was an obvious need for wildlife rehabilitation on the Sunshine Coast when we moved here in 1988, we decided to establish our own Centre. As the only wildlife rehabilitation centre on the Coast, with Federal and Provincial Permits allowing to do this work, we feel obligated to continue to provide this service. Although costly and time-consuming, our rewards are seeing a once sick, injured or orphaned wild creature returned healthy to their natural environment.

What is the connection between rehabilitating injured/orphaned wildlife and fostering a sustainable Sunshine Coast?

Each creature that we release back into the wild will hopefully become part of the breeding population of the species. With habitat loss and more and more people coming to live on the Coast, the impact on local wildlife is ever increasing. We are trying to do our part to mitigate the negative impacts on wildlife. The GWRC is always in need of more volunteers to help us with these efforts.

What problems do outdoor pet cats pose to wildlife on the Sunshine Coast?

Each year at least 60% of the wildlife we admit to our Centre have been caught by cats. Although we try to save all of the critters brought to us, many succumb to severe wounds, stress from being caught by the cat, or blood poisoning (Pasturella) caused by the cat’s teeth or claws. We spend endless hours trying to save the many wounded nestlings and fledglings that are admitted to our Centre. This needless suffering would not take place if cat owners kept their pets indoors. For the sake of your cat, and to protect wildlife, we strongly advise that you keep your cat indoors. We have a number of cats at our centre and to ensure that they do not harm themselves, or any of the wildlife around our property, we built a cat play area for them. They can access this by going through a cat-door in our kitchen and can lie in the sun, play with their various toys, scratch the natural wood scratching posts, etc. and be completely safe. Please visit our website and click on the Cats/Wildlife tab for more information.

What are some human activities that could be changed/altered that would result in less harm to local wildlife?

Keeping pet cats indoors, ideally with access to an outdoor enclosure (see previous question immediately above). Slowing down when driving, especially when a wild creature is seen either on the road or by the side of the road. Putting window decals or similar distractions on windows and glass patio panels to stop birds from flying into them. Being cautious when and where you cut trees and brush down (this should never be done during nesting season, i.e. May to August). Keeping garbage in a bear-proof container or indoors until garbage day, thus preventing wildlife (especially bears) from becoming habituated to us, which often results in their death.

What types of wildlife do you accept for rehabilitation?

We accept all birds ranging in size from hummingbirds to bald eagles. As far as mammals are concerned, due to our Permit restrictions, we cannot accept dangerous mammals, i.e. cougars or bears, but we can accept all other mammals.

What should someone do if they find injured or orphaned wildlife?

Our website (www.gibsonswildliferehabcentre.org) gives many helpful hints. What is most important is that we are called for advice as soon as possible.

Although the GWRC has Federal and Provincial permits to do wildlife rehabilitation work, it does not receive regular government funding to help cover the many costs of daily operations. The centre depends entirely on donations of money from the public to pay its wildlife care bills. How can community members donate money to help fund the work of the GWRC?

Members of the public can mail in their donations to 1211 Carmen Road, Gibsons, B.C. V0N 1V4 or they can hand-in their donations at the Centre. If people want to help raise funds, they could hold bake sales, yard sales, etc. As a registered non-profit organization, Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre can issue tax-deductible receipts for any donation received.

What other types of donations does the GWRC graciously accept?

We are always in need of wildlife food and supplies. For example: canned dog or cat food, cat kibble, wild bird seed, sunflower seeds, wheat, duck pellets, hen scratch, pigeon mix, nuts (walnuts, peanuts, etc) frozen fish (herring, smelt, salmon), various cleaning supplies (washing up liquid, disinfectant, laundry powder, bleach, paper towels, tissues). We can always use Canadian Tire money, till receipts from IGA, Claytons and Super Valu (these can be put in the boxes provided at those locations). We also accept garage sale items in good condition (no clothes) and we have plastic donation boxes in some locations.

Tell us about your annual silent auction, a very important fundraiser for the GWRC.

Our silent auction is usually held at Sunnycrest Mall in early December and is our biggest fund-raiser. We have over 250 items up for bids, everything from books, stuffed toys, artwork, jewelry, plants and so many miscellaneous items that we are sure there is something for everyone, just in time for Christmas gift-giving. We also have our photo cards, Christmas cards, calendars, pens and window decals for sale at the auction too.

The GWRC is always in need of more volunteer help. What types of tasks do your volunteers assist with at the centre?

Volunteers are needed to help with tasks involved with looking after the wildlife. This entails cleaning cages/pens, washing food and water dishes, and the preparation of food. We have indoor cages and outdoor pens/aviaries, so we need volunteers who are willing to work inside and/or outside. We need help with light maintenance work (i.e. repairing cages or pens). We also need volunteers who are willing to pick up injured wildlife (especially from Sechelt to Pender Harbour and beyond) and deliver the wild creature(s) to us in Gibsons.