First Wildlife Hospital Announced for NS

Injured Nova Scotia wildlife now have their own private place in the province’s world of veterinary medicine. The Hope for Wildlife Society, based in Seaforth, Halifax County, has opened a veterinary hospital that will treat nothing but wildlife. It is the first of its kind in the province.



Hope for Wildlife staffers (l-r) Allison Dube, Dr. Barry
McEachern,and Hope Swinimer examin an injured bald eagle

 

The new professionally-staffed hospital will allow injured animals to receive medical care at the Seaforth rehabilitation center without being transported off-site. Currently, medical care is provided free of charge by the Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital and the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic, both more than 30 minutes away.

The organization`s founder and director, Hope Swinimer, says transporting injured wildlife causes them unnecessary stress, which can be harmful if they are already weakened. In the future, says Swinimer, birds and animals will be stabilized and receive primary treatment on-site in Seaforth. Only a most severe surgical case may require transfer to a city hospital.

“The vet hospitals are still really important to us and I want them to know how much we appreciate what they do for us, and that we still need them,” says Swinimer. “More than anything, we want to lighten their load while giving the best care possible to the wildlife.”

Local veterinarians will staff the hospital as volunteers. One of them, Dr. Barry MacEachern of the Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital, has been helping Hope for Wildlife for several years. He hopes having this unique on-site certified wildlife hospital will elevate the stature of the organization and make clear the nature of its work.

``We`re not a band-aid place for wildlife,” says MacEachern. ``We`re not a sanctuary. We truly are a rehabilitation center. “

The society, known internationally for its animal rescue and rehabilitation, worked for several years to assemble and equip the hospital. Much of the equipment was donated by local veterinary hospitals. The new facility is certified by the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association, which means all standards, licenses, and inspections have been met for it to be a legal veterinary hospital in Nova Scotia.

Hope for Wildlife relies on volunteers for most of its rescue and rehabilitation work. It is a non-profit charitable organization operating with both federal and provincial permits and annually releases about 2000 rehabilitated birds and animals.

In 2011, Hope for Wildlife`s name was also known as the title of an internationally-syndicated television show seen across Canada as well as in the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Singapore, and Thailand. It is now shooting its third season.

Hope for Wildlife was also in 2011 the title of a best-selling Nova Scotian book telling the story of the society’s work. At present it is sold out across Canada and a second printing has been ordered.
Hope for Wildlife is now in its 16th year of operation.

For more information, please contact
Hope Swinimer, Founder and Director, Hope for Wildlife Society, (902) 489-4673, hopeswinimer@gmail.com
Ray MacLeod home:(902) 434-5491 mobile: (902) 489-3502 raymacleod@eastlink.ca


For additional background
about The Hope for Wildlife Society: http://hopeforwildlife.org/pages/home
about the television series: http://hopeforwildlife.org/pages/news_and_media/the_TV_series
about the book: http://hopeforwildlife.org/pages/news_and_media/the_book