We understand that emotions can run high in difficult situations, but we kindly ask for your understanding and support as we strive to help sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife with our limited resources. It is important to remember that we are volunteers who dedicate extensive amounts of time and energy to this cause because we genuinely care about the well-being of animals and our community. Our ability to provide assistance to wildlife is made possible through the dedication of our small team of volunteers and the generous support we receive from our community. We are authorized by the Mini ..read more

Do not take unnecessary risks! Human safety must always come first, observe the situation from a safe distance and take pictures. Removing a wild animal from its natural habitat could potentially do more harm than good. Before attempting to intervene, please make sure the animal actually needs your help. Contact an Authorized Wildlife Custodian as soon as possible if you are unsure or unable to determine if a wild animal is in distress or in need of intervention. Clear pictures and video can be extremely helpful for assessing situational details and the animals condition. What you are witnessi ..read more

Do not take unnecessary risks! ALWAYS use caution with wild animals, especially Rabies Vector Species such as skunk, fox, raccoon and bats. Never touch a wild animal with your bare hands. Remember to prioritize your safety and well-being above all else. Contact an Authorized Wildlife Custodian for advice, as they can provide species-specific tips and guide you through challenging situations. If you do get bitten or scratched, seek medical advice from your family doctor immediately. Wild animals, even when immature or incapacitated, can be dangerous when scared or stressed, trying to defend the ..read more

How to Identify the Species of Squirrel? How Old is the Squirrel? What to do if there is Damaged and Disturbed Nests? How to Reunite with Mom? How can I Provide Temporary Care? Identifying Squirrel Species A variety of squirrel species can be found throughout Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes: Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis): The Eastern Grey Squirrel is the most abundant squirrel species in Ontario. It boasts grey fur, a white underbelly, and a bushy tail. These creatures are adaptable and thrive in urban, suburban, and forested environments. Although their name indicates they ..read more

Spring Has Arrived! Kawartha Wildlife Centre is gearing up for another busy spring season! After a record 702 patients last year (12% patient increase from 2021), we are doing everything we can to prepare our volunteers and facility to meet the ever-increasing need for services in our communities. Be mindful of nesting wildlife: Spring is a time when many wildlife species are breeding and nesting, so it's important to be mindful of their presence and avoid disturbing them. This could include keeping your distance from nesting birds, avoiding tree trimming or removal during the breeding seaso ..read more

Message from the Board 2022 was a big year for the Kawartha Wildlife Centre. We soared past the 2000 patient milestone with over 700 patients by the end of the year! As we move into 2023, we have new goals, with the same commitment to help wildlife in need and promote wildlife coexistence. To that end, we are excited to launch a partnership with the Peterborough Public Library this April, with the delivery of a fantastic “Wildlife HERO” Certificate, featuring 6 weeks of after-school programming consisting of games, stories, and learning activities. Each week is themed across wildlife groups: m ..read more

Message from the Board Snow is on the ground, holidays are around the corner, and we at Kawartha Wildlife Centre are reflecting on our third year of operations and recognizing a cumulative total of 2000 patients so far! This is a humbling number; a huge milestone in our journey as an organization and a cause for celebration. But if I am being honest, it doesn’t feel like a celebration. From the outside, working with wildlife has an allure of excitement. But three years in, the reality is far from it; the trauma and sadness we see take their toll as well as the constant-ness: feeding, cleaning ..read more

Message from the Board Three years of rehabilitating wildlife in need! During these years, the number of patients has increased by a remarkable 349%, from 192 patients in 2019 to 670 in 2021; with every indication that that this trend will continue. This increase in patient load demonstrates the need for our service while simultaneously highlighting challenges that we face as a small charity. But in all periods of adversity, we have opportunities; and our Board priority for 2023 is simple: Re-engage. Work is beginning on a number of key projects focusing on community engagement, including publ ..read more

If you chose to celebrate holiday's, please understand that fireworks cause great harm to your local ecosystems and neighbours. Please help us #KeepKawarthaWild and avoid using fireworks. The Research Here are some of the many studies and articles that outline how fireworks can disturb local ecosystems, wildlife and people: - Protecting Ontario’s Lakes From Fireworks https://ontarionature.org/lakes-and-fireworks-blog/ - How fireworks are bad for the environment https://8billiontrees.com/news/fireworks-bad/ - Birds flee en mass from New Year’s Eve fireworks https://academic.oup.com/beheco/arti ..read more

Amidst the confusion, anxiety, and fear at this time last year, we all took a deep pause. Without distractions, we were able to focus on the important. Synchronously with the first lockdown announcement, public health began promoting safe activities. Without much surprise, almost all of them involved the outdoors and being immersed in nature. Walking, hiking, biking, roller blading; these merchandise items flew off of shelves just as fast as snowshoes, snowmobiles and fat bikes did this fall. We found connections by connecting with and within nature. As the lockdown progressed, we celebrated s ..read more