July 12th, 2019
Somewhere on the outskirts of Napanee, on the right side of Hwy 2, is a little haven for our wild, furry friends; the Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre (SPWC). Since 1994, the SPWC has been helping thousands of injured and orphaned birds and animals and releasing them back into the wild once they’re ready. Not only does the centre provide these animals with the medical attention and care they need, it offers advice and assistance to property owners on how to deal with wild animals in the most humane ways.
SPWC President and Founder Sue Meech is a licenced provider of care and shelter for wildlife. Through her centre, she and 200 dedicated volunteers have been able to rescue and rehabilitate approximately 4,000 mammals, birds, and reptiles every year. Once an animal is admitted to the centre, a vet and/or a vet technician will examine them, determine the nature of the injury and the status of their health. A course of treatment is determined, and the animal is nursed back to health through medication, nutrition, and an all-around healthy environment. An animal can remain at the centre from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity of the treatment. Once the team decides that the animal is healthy and ready to be released back into the wild, it is taken back to the area where it was originally found. The SPWC funds 100 percent of its operations through charitable donations and fundraising.
In December 2018, our Kingston and Region Division decided to start its “Dressy Fridays” office charity. Employees make a donation in any amount for the opportunity to dress more casually for the day. The office then votes on a charity of choice and allocates six months’ worth of donations to that particular charity. Every six months, another vote is held in order to select the next charity. Their first charity of choice was the Dawn House Shelter for Women in Kingston. Funds were collected and donated for the shelter from December 2018 to May 2019. SPWC was selected for June – December 2019. A cheque for $115.00, the first of six, was delivered to Sue on July 2 by James Ostler. Supplies such as newspapers, paper towels, and nuts, were also donated in an effort to help keep the animals happy and healthy.
The Dawn House Shelter for Women and the SPWC are two excellent organizations that work tirelessly towards the betterment of our communities. Follow the links above to learn more about them, and how you can help.
One of many rescued turtles at the SPWC