JARVIS—One of the many enclosures built with the help of public donations and the help of the Hamilton Carpenters Union Local 18.
—Photo courtesy of
Chantal Theijn.
By Kattera Leonard
The Haldimand Press
JARVIS—Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge has been expanding in the last year thanks to generous public donations and local fundraising.
With these donations, Hobbitstee founder and owner Chantal Theijn has been able to build many new enclosures for the wildlife that continually make its way to this facility. Some of the many residents this year alone have been porcupines, beavers, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, possums, and a variety of waterfowl and birds.
“We were able to build a 50-foot flight cage for birds of prey that are hurt and need to practice flying,” said Theijn. “Last year we built eight new mammal enclosures, including two coyote enclosures, so that’s roughly where we’re at building-wise. This year we are focusing on fencing and we are building intermediate flight cages.”
Hobbitstee strictly runs on donations and volunteers. Some well-known companies that donate include Lush Cosmetics, Ontario Power, Imperial Oil, The Carpenters Union Local 18, Ontario Wildlife Removal, Pattern Energy, Jacksons Signs, Nighthawk Studios, Scott Veterinary Services, and Preston Animal Clinic.
With donations, a new trailer was also made possible for wildlife rescues, transport, and public outreach due to the constant influx of animals in need.
“We fundraised for the new facilities. The new flight cage was a $20,000 project, so it took us a little while to raise enough money, plus is was a project that required building permits and architectural drawings. The other enclosures we built with the help of a grant from Lush Cosmetics,” said Theijn.
The new flight enclosure has been home to many birds, such as red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, snowy owls, peregrine falcons, great horned owls, and Cooper’s hawks.
The Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge has come a long way since 2007, creating a lovely place for animals to be well taken care of, rehabilitated, and released into their natural habitat.
If you see a wild animal you believe to be in distress, contact Hobbitstee at 519-587-2980 or visit hobbitstee.com for more information.
