Rescue
Every year many kind people call us asking for advice about wild animals that appear to be in trouble. Whether it's baby wild animals that have become separated from their mothers, injured or ill wildlife, or considered a nuisance, our expert staff are here to help 365 days a year. We advise people to observe and make very sure that an animal really needs to be rescued. In Ontario it is illegal to keep native wildlife as pets. People rescuing wildlife need to ensure that animals get to a registered wildlife rehabilitator quickly to increase their chance of survival.
Rehabilitate
We specialize in the care of native Ontario wildlife. Rehabilitating animals is hard work and costs a lot of money. Animals need proper housing, food and medical care. We do what we can to reduce their suffering and keep them only until they are strong enough to live on their own. There are indoor enclosures for young, injured and ill animals in need of special care. We also have outdoor ponds and forest enclosures for larger animals and older baby animals where they can practice living in the wild.
Release
Our favourite time and greatest reward; setting animals free so that they can continue to live out the rest of their lives as wild animals. For orphaned baby wildlife, when they have the skills to live on their own and the season is right, we release them back into the wild near where they were found. Giving wildlife a second chance helps preserve biodiversity.
The Sanctuary Residents
It would be ideal if all native animals could live free in the wilderness, but sometimes that is not possible. Our Sanctuary provides a forever home to 30 non-releasable animals. Most of the animals that live in our Sanctuary have come to us from various situations such as zoo closures, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry seizures or cases where animals have been too habituated for release. Our Sanctuary provides a forever home in a natural setting with all that the Muskoka landscape offers. These animals who cannot be released depend on us for their existence. Caring for disadvantaged wildlife costs a lot of money. Daily nutrition, medicine, medical care and enrichment plus maintaining existing or building new outdoor enclosures is expensive. Guided tours of the Permanent Wildlife residents at the Sanctuary offer education on the devastating effects human beings can have on innocent animals unable to speak for themselves.
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