Animal rescue needs meat to feed patients in Clarington

The Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue, a rehabilitation facility for injured wild animals, needs as much meat as they can get a hold of as their stocks run low with two weeks until their next scheduled delivery.

Wildlife custodian Stefanie MacEwan, one of only 30 certified wildlife rehabilitators in the country, founded Soper Creek in 2016 to care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife ahead of their eventual re-release into the wild.  They are the only such facility in Durham Region.

The facility includes an education centre for pre-booked visitors, a veterinary hospital and a large rehabilitation centre for recovery. However, not all creatures who come to Soper Creek can be released back into the wild.

These stay on as “animal ambassadors” and include a marten, an owl, a prickle of five porcupines, a pair of arctic foxes, a pair of chickens, two dingos (Mario and Luigi), two bobcats, a badger named Khaleesi and a lynx called Floki, among many others.

Though licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Soper Creeks runs fully independently. They therefore depend on donations, animal sponsorships and fees from their numerous education programs.

Given the many carnivores and omnivores at the rescue, Soper Creek goes through a ton of meat. While they’re scheduled to receive their regular delivery in two weeks, their current stores have run low.

To keep their meat eaters fed, Soper Creek has turned to the community for help. On May 20, they asked for any donation of unseasoned meat the community could spare, writing “Are you cleaning out your freezer this long weekend? If you are able to clean out your freezer and donate unseasoned meat our critters would be very appreciative.”

Anyone able to donate can contact the rescue via email or Facebook to arrange a drop-off between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Wildlife emergencies can be reported to 905-442-1648 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday. All injured animals must be dropped off at the rescue. Those looking to bring in an injured animal must call ahead to ensure Soper Creek can prepare for their arrival.

While Soper Creek is able to care for most native species, they are not allowed to take in invasive species, raccoons, deer, black bears, or cougars.