Salthaven West wildlife rehab clinic presses on with fundraising efforts

The wildlife rehabilitation clinic that is trying to move out of Regina’s city limits is reaching milestones while fundraising, but still has a long road ahead before securing a property.

Salthaven West Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre started fundraising for a new clinic more than a year ago. Angela Tremka, the community engagement manager for the wildlife centre, said the clinic has outgrown the 600-square-foot residential space it’s currently in.

“We need to move out of this place within the next year,” she said.

The clinic takes 5,000 calls for sick or injured wildlife a year. More than 1,400 patients on average visit the Normanview facility each year.

Tremka said the clinic is heading into the busiest season of the year where its patient load tends to increase.

“It’s going to be hard to be in this clinic space. We were hoping to be out by now,” she said.

Salthaven West take 5,000 calls and cares for 1,400 patients a year. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Fundraising has gone well, but also came with some challenges. Tremka said she understands it’s difficult for people to donate with cost-of-living expenses so high.

Since 2023, $200,000 has been raised, but $500,000 will be needed before the big move can happen.

Tremka said she is incredibly grateful to community partners and independent donors.

Right now, Tremka said staff has been working with the Rural Municipality of Edenwold on where the clinic can be zoned.

“Being a wildlife rehabilitation centre is unique in Saskatchewan,” Tremka said. “They don’t have zoning in bylaws already so we have to change those bylaws. So it takes quite a few months.”

Once zoning bylaws come into effect, staff can start looking at properties.

“We are not looking to build new, because that would be a very expensive and timely endeavour,” she said.

Tremka said a new facility would allow the clinic to cater to bigger animals. One of the largest animals that has been through the facility is an American pelican.

Right now, two of the largest animals at the facility are a beaver and a goose who flew into a power line.

Tremka said the clinic is seeing patient case loads increase with more vehicle collisions and as the clinic becomes more well known.

Tremka originally got involved with the clinic three years ago after bringing in a sick finch. She said she was impressed with the support and advice on how to make her yard a safer space for songbirds.

“It changed everything,” she said. “From that moment on I wanted to help so I became a volunteer here.”

You can donate to Salthaven West here.