Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center Society (EWCS)
WHO BENEFITS AND HOW MANY?
Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center is a fully functioning, independent facility capable of handling hundreds of injured, orphaned and sick wild birds and animals with the assistance of many volunteers. At present, there is one full-time staff, one part-time staff a week and 30 volunteers to handle an increasing workload. Operating as a non-profit society, the Center receives funding solely from public and business donations, both in-kind and monetary, and from an annual fee for service by the Fraser Valley Regional District. Additionally, EWCS is accredited with the CRA to provide tax receipts for donations.
Each year the Center admits over 1500 birds/animals, with approximately 50% being fully rehabilitated and released. The Center receives over 7,000 phone calls per year with questions regarding situations involving injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife. The Center serves not only the City of Abbotsford, but a vast regional area as well.
The goal of the Center is the preservation of wildlife. To that end, we:
manage rehabilitation and release, and community education programs which are integral parts of EWCS function; and,
increase awareness and knowledge of wildlife to try to reduce the number of wildlife being admitted and treated. EWCS manages a website and social media platforms on a consistent basis to get the message out to the community at large.
WHAT ARE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES?
EWCS administers medical support along with managing cleaning and feeding of injured, orphaned, and sick animals, working toward the goal of eventual release.
Paperwork is a considerable part of the operation as government requirements must be met. Each admission is required to be registered and provide data collection that is used by the government to gain insight into this area of wildlife activity in the province of British Columbia.
The Centre itself receives admissions, daily phone calls and social media inquiries that must be answered. Additionally, local veterinarians and other wildlife centers call EWCS as the level of expertise in this sector is very high at EWCS. Government also uses EWCS for information (Heath and Wildlife Canada) to gain observations as to current activity in the wildlife population. Recently, EWCS was asked to handle the avian flu and West Nile virus outbreaks. The Center is equipped to do so with a long history and experience in this sector.
Maintenance of the buildings (cleaning, laundry, fixing broken items) of the various buildings and grounds is continuous due to daily wear and tear and weather issues.
Educational programs in the local schools have been an important part of public education and require additional staff to present this valuable program in conjunction with the school district. Participating in community events such as Abbotsford Berry Fest provides outreach to the community at large.
WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM RUN?
Open 365 days a year, the Centre is fully operational from April to October (8am to 8pm). The Center receives new admissions, 15 to 20 per day, during this very busy time. Phone calls and other inquiries are double that number of intakes per day. November to March the Center is still open, but with reduced hours. In off-season hours, there are website and social media inquiries that are answered on an as-needed basis.
WHERE IS THE PROGRAM DELIVERED?
EWCS was established in 1986 at 3743 Nanaimo Crescent (local subdivision) in Abbotsford, the home of Elizabeth Melnick. By 2002, it was time to secure a new location, 1.1 acres at 32508 Verdon Way, Abbotsford. This property is ideal as it borders on the south side, with a regional park protected area, Downes Bowl. This location is an advantage for wildlife to maintain a normal environment. This protected natural habitat has many songbirds and other local species.
The location is also close to the center of the city of Abbotsford so can be easily reached by those who require assistance with an injured animal.
It is important to note that EWCS serves Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Kent, and Agassiz directly and in addition calls for assistance from all parts of the province. It is not uncommon for the Center to receive an injured, orphaned, or sick animal from the Interior or the Greater Vancouver area.
Due to aging infrastructure, a large building had to be torn down in 2020. However, a new Center was officially opened in September of 2023. This new Center is a significant improvement for the care of injured, orphaned, and sick birds and small animals.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM ACCESSIBLE TO ALL?
Within the mandate to “Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release”, EWCS is a registered not for profit that has an elected board of directors who meet quarterly, unless a special meeting is required. The board is guided by its constitution and bylaws and held its most recent AGM on July 19 th , 2023.
Additionally, EWCS has 19 voting memberships that are renewed on an annual basis with 3 categories – adult, senior and youth (under 18, non-voting).
EWCS services the immediate area of Abbotsford and has built relationships with the city and medical community (both human and veterinarian). However, the reach of the Center is now province wide, serving the Fraser Valley East and the Lower Mainland.
Accessibility is ensured with the opening hours being extensive during the whole year, along with the ease of connecting with EWCS via the website, telephone, and social media.
EWCS is a welcoming environment for many volunteers and a very diverse staff, all of whom have a passion to serve the creatures who are in need. However, it is noted that some degree of education is required to bring care and safety to these roles.
Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center Society (EWCS) was established in 1986 and became a non-profit organization in 1999. Elizabeth Melnick, founder, and primary caregiver of the Center, is a qualified registered nurse (retired) and wildlife rehabilitator. What first began as a rescue center from her home expanded into Elizabeth’s backyard with construction of aviaries and small housing facilities.
The primary mission is “Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release – caring for injured, orphaned, and sick wild birds and small animals”.