It’s baby season at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
Staff at the Rosseau facility are looking to the community for help in supporting over 1,000 animals that will come into their care this year.
Alison Papas, Director, Advancement and Communications at Aspen Valley, said it takes around $40 a week to care for any small mammal such squirrels, weasels, and racoons. For larger species such as foxes and beavers, the cost is $70 per week, and for even larger animals like deer the cost is $80 per week.
Papas says to fund their two programs, which are the rescue, rehabilitate, and release program and permanent wildlife resident program; it does take a substantial amount of funds.
“Rehab in general does cost a great deal of money,” said Papas. “The animals need species specific formulas, sometimes they need medical intervention – they’ll need veterinary care, they need enclosures – and those enclosure start off smaller and get larger as the animals get larger.”
According to Papas, all money donated to the facility goes to their ‘wildlife in care’ fund which helps injured and orphaned animals on their journey to being released, and to their permanent wildlife residents.
Recently, a sufficient donation came in from World Animal Protection, which allowed the sanctuary to purchase a device that sanitizes equipment and a wet table for their new clinic.
Papas also shared an update on Sandal and Cedar, the two moose calves that are now in their care.
Staff are currently caring for several young moose calves, baby porcupines, raccoons, bear cubs, baby seagulls and more.
“Sandal and Cedar (the two moose calves) are doing well, and they are striking up an excellent friendship,” said Papas. “They are growing big and strong more and more every day.”
To learn more about Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, visit Keep Wildlife Wild | Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
To keep up with all the animals in their care, visit their Facebook Page.
