Skip to content
Wildlife Rescue Association of BC

Wildlife Rescue Association of BC

The 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.

Before the Wildlife Rescue was founded, there was no rehabilitation service for wildlife in Metro Vancouver, and members of the public had nowhere to turn when they found an animal in distress. Thanks to the determination of a small band of volunteers, a small rehabilitation centre was established at the Nature House on the north side of Burnaby Lake.

Today, Wildlife Rescue runs its wildlife hospital on the south shore of Burnaby Lake where it treats animals from around the province of British Columbia.

Metro Vancouver is developing rapidly and animals living in the urban environment face many challenges such as busy roads, loss of habitat, pollution, pet predation, poisoning, unsecured garbage and direct human cruelty.

With a team of professional wildlife rehabilitators and an army of volunteers we are able to provide temporary refuge to a diverse range of animals. We are not a wildlife sanctuary and once the animals in our care are healthy and ready to live in the wild, we release them back to their natural habitat.

We educate the public through 30,000+ annual calls and emails to our wildlife helpline, media campaigns, and outreach displays at local events.

80% of our funds come through donations and without funding and support from members of the public, local business and the wider community, none of the work we do would be possible. If you would like to donate to wildlife in need, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/49xhWJw.

Recent Work by Wildlife Rescue Association of BC

Keep your bird feeder safe and birds healthy this winter

Keep your bird feeder safe and birds healthy this winter

Here's how to properly maintain your feeders to protect wildlife.
Celebrate responsibly: Halloween safety for wildlife

Celebrate responsibly: Halloween safety for wildlife

Find out if your spooky yard is safe for animals.
A continued threat to birds: Window strikes soar during fall migration

A continued threat to birds: Window strikes soar during fall migration

Window collisions are a leading cause of death for migratory and resident birds across the world. Here's how you can make a difference.
Wildlife Rescue records surge in bat encounters

Wildlife Rescue records surge in bat encounters

Here's what to do when you see a bat and when to act.
Heat waves cause spike in injured and orphaned baby gulls

Heat waves cause spike in injured and orphaned baby gulls

Anyone who encounters a baby gull is asked to contact Wildlife Rescue.
Provincewide heat wave takes toll on local wildlife

Provincewide heat wave takes toll on local wildlife

Here's how you can support heat-affected wildlife this summer.
B.C. rescue group sees alarming surge in wildlife severely injured by discarded fishing gear

B.C. rescue group sees alarming surge in wildlife severely injured by discarded fishing gear

The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC is asking the public to be aware of litter this outdoor season.
Cat attacks: How to prevent them and protect local wildlife

Cat attacks: How to prevent them and protect local wildlife

A colourful bib for your cat is one way to prevent attacks.
Nesting season: How to co-exist with protective birds

Nesting season: How to co-exist with protective birds

Here's why some birds may be acting hostile.
Great Blue Heron returns to the wild after rehabilitation

Great Blue Heron returns to the wild after rehabilitation

Wildlife Rescue calls for public support during busy spring season.
More work by Wildlife Rescue Association of BC >
push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks