By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
NANTICOKE—After 15 years of operations, Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge (HWR) is about to get a much-needed upgrade. In December 2020, the not-for-profit organization purchased a 47-acre parcel of land on Brooklin Road in Nanticoke. With the intention to build a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital, HWR founder Chantal Theijn applied for a permit to build a 4,000 square foot facility.
In contrast to their current 40-foot container that was converted with heat, hydro, windows, and doors, the new HWR location comes with a sizable price tag. Theijn explains, “For the building and the inside of the building, not to furnish it, we are looking at $1.3 million, but we currently have $1 million.”
Theijn adds their main source of funding was a singular memorial donation, with the remaining costs to be covered by their own fundraising efforts and through the help of volunteers.
“We are hoping with the help of volunteers we can cut labour costs and get as close to getting it done as we can,” says Theijn. HWR is hoping area residents who consider themselves ‘handy’ might step up to lend a hand, and is also looking for community partnerships with local contractors who may be able to help source building materials.
HWR has limited staffing, using the Canada Jobs Grant program to employ summer students and getting the bulk of their volunteer base from young offenders, at-risk youth, and adult offenders. They are also always in need of volunteer drivers. Theijn explains, “The majority of our wildlife comes from SPCAs that have an animal control contract. We rely on our volunteer drivers to pick up the wildlife from these various locations throughout southwestern Ontario and bring them here.”
The combined efforts of volunteers and staff support HWR’s education, research, mitigation, and rehabilitation programs and each program will be enhanced in their new location.
Their education component includes programs for staff at SPCAs that take in ill, injured, or orphaned wildlife, as well as for the general public across southwestern Ontario. Theijn excitedly adds, “We are hopeful that once our new facility opens we can offer some education programs on site.”
Theijn reveals, “We hope to use the forest and wetlands we own for targeted education as well as community education on how people can help wildlife. Such as native species of plants for gardens and what to do when you find an injured animal.”
Similarly, HWR expects to do more comprehensive rehabilitation in their new facility. Once completed, the new building will help HWR increase the number of animals they help and increase the quality of care. Theijn noted, “Enclosures and greater separation between species such as predators and prey will help reduce stress levels.”
They are also building an X-ray room, with the hope that they can have onsite X-ray capability. Theijn elaborates, “This will help reduce travel time to and from the veterinarian and will help us make better decisions faster.”
Theijn asserts that with the new facility, “The improvements to the level of care we can provide are endless.”
As a part of that care, HWR plays a very big role in monitoring wildlife health and emerging wildlife diseases, such as recently observing the local presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: “As a wildlife rehabilitator we are an important link between the area and the scientific community because we are the boots on the ground.”
The proposed lab for the new site will also allow HWR to expedite the mitigation of disease and enhance their research. Theijn adds, “A dedicated quarantine space will help reduce the risk of cross contamination of diseases. The lab we are planning for upstairs will help our diagnostics and wildlife disease monitoring as well as research.”
HWR hopes to be able to start using the building late summer or fall, depending on how far they can stretch their money. Although HWR is licensed by various government agencies, Thejin is quick to point out, “We do not receive any funding from the government and rely entirely on donations from the community.”
Anyone interested in contributing time, materials, or funds to support HWR can reach out by calling 519-587-2980. If you find an injured, ill, or orphaned animal contact your local SPCA and if you can bring the animal to HWR, please wear proper PPE and call them at the above number.
