Help Toronto Wildlife Centre recover from storm damage

The historic storm that hit Toronto on Sept. 2 destroyed an aviary for recovering birds, damaged outdoor enclosures and flooded the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

Now, the charity is seeking donations to repair its space while it continues to help the animals in its care.

The Toronto Wildlife Centre at 60 Carl Hall Rd. in Downsview is an organization that rescues, treats and rehabilitates injured, sick or orphaned wild animals found by Torontonians. It’s currently caring for 466 animals, from birds who hit windows mid-flight to dehydrated baby beavers.

The 33-year-old centre is mainly funded through donations and foundation grants to keep its facilities open and operations running. It also relies on volunteer veterinarians and board members.

Last week, Toronto Wildlife Centre shared on Facebook the damage and flooding caused by the “100-year storm” that hit the city with high winds, large hail and torrential rain.

In the post, the centre shared that no people or animals were injured, but the facility sustained severe damage, including shattered windows, a damaged roof and knocked-down fencing, making one enclosure unusable. 

“There are some things that insurance won’t cover, and the unexpected cost of repairs places an enormous strain on the essential funds that are needed to help care for wildlife,” the post states.

Toronto Wildlife Centre is now asking community members to donate to help with the repairs while the team continues to care for wild animals, including those harmed by the storm.

There are many ways to contribute:

• You can make a one-time donation or become a monthly supporter through the centre’s website.
• You can also contact the Donor Relations Team at 416-631-0662 ext. 3207 or donations@torontowildlifecentre.com.
• You also have the option of buying needed items from a wishlist on Toronto Wildlife Centre’s website or on Amazon.

If you’d like to donate your time instead, there are many volunteer opportunities currently open. Whether you’re a vet technician or just an animal lover, applications are open for specialized roles, as well as general labour support, driving and admin tasks. You can check the full list of volunteer positions, tasks and requirements on the site’s volunteer page.

Last but not least, if you come across a wild animal in need of help, contact the Wildlife Hotline at 416-631-0662 or fill out a request for assistance form on the Toronto Wildlife Centre website.