A southern Saskatchewan non-profit dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife is undertaking a mission to raise funds for the building of a new and much-needed wildlife rehabilitation clinic.
Last week, Salthaven West introduced a Matching Fundraiser, matching up $20,000 in donations until April 3, thanks to two anonymous donors.
Megan Lawrence, director of rehabilitation at Salthaven West, highlighted that after the campaign's initial announcement of matching up to $10,000, a second donor agreed to match another $10,000.
"The proceeds will go towards a clinic that we're in the process of building," she shared. "We have secured a new property just outside of Regina and we're hoping to get out of the 600 square foot clinic we currently have into something bigger that better supports the animals we have."
Lawrence noted that Salthaven West takes in wildlife from across southern Saskatchewan, highlighting a rough-legged hawk from the Maple Creek area as a current patient.
The hawk was suspected to have been hit by a car and exhibited signs of head trauma.
After treatment with anti-inflammatory medication and being hand-fed for two weeks, the hawk is now on it's way to recovery and release.
"We take in sick, injured, orphaned, or otherwise displaced wildlife and our ultimate goal is to release healthy wildlife back to their natural environment," said Lawrence. "We take in birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and we take in about 1,200 to 1,300 patients every single year,
"Currently, we have 81 patients in care waiting for release."
Anyone looking for more information about the fundraiser or the organization's mission can head to https://www.salthaven.org/fundraising-west.
"Right now, it's essentially doubling their donation, so it goes even further," she added. "We're very excited about this, and the generosity and help from the community."
