Caring for Critters: One Year at a Wildlife Rescue Centre

When you can literally see “wilderness” while driving on almost any British Columbia highway—and even from downtown in the largest cities—it’s natural that wild animals and humans will increasingly come into contact. Gail Martin, along with her late husband Richard, saw the urgent need to rescue injured and orphaned mammals, helping them to recover and grow until they could be released. In Langley, Critter Care has been around since 1984 and is still growing, due to the passion of its founder. The wildlife rehab centre is run solely on donations, with 7 staff, over 100 volunteers, and 50 committed interns who live, learn and work onsite. It fills a need for care and rehabilitation not met by a deficiency of provincial laws protecting wildlife, but it is not allowed to accept large predators.

Using a conversational style, the book chronicles a year at the Centre, describing seasons when they are bursting at the seams with baby critters, juggling space to fit in yet more orphaned bear cubs, and the rare quiet times after most of the rehabbed animals are released before winter. Only those born late in the season or not healthy enough are kept until spring. Stories highlight particular animals with unusual issues or personalities. Like Dame, an ancient river otter whose teeth are too worn for her to eat well. Like Edna, a tiny mole baby accidentally unearthed by a gardener. Like Meatloaf, a hugely overweight squirrel that had been kept as a pet. Readers can follow the progress of treatments for these and other animals through the year, as their accounts are interspersed with the day-to-day situations that arise. Most become success stories, although not always, as a small note of caution on the back of the Contents page attests: “some stories about animals that have had to be put down...may be upsetting to younger or more sensitive readers.”

Frequent references are made to the bumpy relationship between Critter Care and a government organization, BC Conservation Officer Service. The latter works to “ensure public safety around wild animals”, and, while they must enforce wildlife laws, this often results in animals being put down rather than relocated. Such incidents regularly turn up in news media, arousing controversy. Critter Care staff are caught in the middle, understandably frustrated about the losses, especially given the numbers of orphaned bear cubs that arrive at their doorstep. With both sides bound by rules they may not always agree with, they welcome any opportunity to work as partners for the good of the animals.

As with many diary-style accounts, there is some repetition of routines that recur throughout the year, along with reports of new arrivals and departures. Seasonal numbers fluctuate, naturally: rescued babies often swell the counts in spring and summer. By December, the pace may slow down...but only for a while. However, the revolving door of activity does point out the unrelenting need for this facility with totals to date at over 50,000 animals rescued and cared for.

The author slips wry humor into the stories (e.g. skunks “have a nasty habit of not knowing when they should be grateful...you can pretty well count on being blasted”) and pauses to give more depth about lifestyle characteristics of some species (we learn how beaver family dynamics work after a male is put down due to a cancerous tumor). The well-trained staff go to exceptional lengths to heal injured animals through surgery, giving hourly feedings for baby raccoons, or swimming lessons for young otters until release is possible. Even then the work is not done as release sites are carefully chosen to give the rehabbed animal the best chance of survival in the wild.

Critter Care provided the excellent, captioned photos for the book, with plenty of up close and personal shots of animals in care and treatment and enjoying the specially designed facilities. The visuals give the reader extra insight into the complexity of the hard work, as well as the devotion of staff who do it so willingly.

In the “Afterword”, Gail Martin reflects on the challenges her Centre has faced over the years. Each year has been different, with new demands and achievements, and ever-increasing numbers of animals needing help. There are continual opportunities to learn. People are becoming more aware of this unique service, and, it seems, more concerned for wildlife. Thanks to their generosity, the work can go on. Gail’s dedication is the inspiration, though, for others to offer their help to continue the project that she has turned into a lifetime commitment.

The author credits the staff of Critter Care for most of the material obtained from interviews and his time spent observing the operation. A list of further sources includes media articles, science websites, and government sites that deal with conservation and rehabilitation, for readers who would like more information. Animal care organization websites are added.