Calgary wildlife organization ‘in crisis’ due to financial woes

The Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society says it is facing an existential crisis as expenses rise and donations fall.

The society cares for injured and orphaned wildlife in the region.

But it says it now has to cut costs by limiting the number of animal patients it takes in and reducing its operating hours.

Executive director Beki Hunt says those measures are necessary even though spring and early summer are the busiest times as animals migrate back to the area — many with offspring.

Hunt says they’ve seen costs skyrocket 20 per cent over the last four years, which, combined with fewer donations is making it extremely tough.

“As everyone knows, inflation has increased the prices at the grocery store,” she says. “We are not immune to that.”

“A lot of our patients eat produce and meats that we get from grocery stores.”

Anyone looking to make a donation can visit the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society website.