FAQ

No, EWR does not charge you to drop off an animal, although donations to assist with the cost of treatment and care is always welcome.

Erie Wildlife Rescue is a volunteer-based wildlife rehabilitation organization, founded in 1978. EWR requires permits from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Canadian Wildlife Service to care for wildlife.

The EWR Centre is located at 11168 Tecumseh Rd E, Windsor.

** PLEASE, do not bring animals in without calling first. There may not be anyone on site to help you. Call first!

Wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and temporary care of orphaned and injured wildlife. When the animal is old enough to survive on its own, or has recovered from its injuries, it will be released back to the wild.

EWR cares for all species of wildlife native to Windsor-Essex. EWR does NOT care for cats, dogs or other pets.

EWR does not receive any government funding for animal care. All expenses, such as food and medical care are covered through donations, bingo nights, memberships, and other fundraisers.

Most wildlife is protected by law and it is illegal to keep them. If you find an orphaned or injured animal, you have 24 hours to turn it over to an authorized rehabilitator.

No. Do not take turtles and snakes home, and do not pick up any animal unless it is orphaned or injured. Please read our informative article Wild Animals Are Not Pets!

The permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry does not allow animals to be put on display.

Yes. Please give us a call. Education is an important part of wildlife rehabilitation, and EWR volunteers would be pleased to come out.

No. The animals that some organizations use for demonstrations are ones that cannot be released back to the wild, and special permits are required for this purpose. All the animals that EWR cares for are wild animals which will be released, so care must be taken to limit their exposure to people. Maintaining a healthy fear of people is best for their survival in the wild.

• Make sure the animal really needs care
  • Watch it. What is it doing? How does it look?
  • If an animal is cold, bleeding or obviously injured, then it is in trouble and should be rescued and you should contact EWR immediately
  • Never remove any animal from a nest.
  • If you are concerned, call EWR first.
  • A wild mother may temporarily leave a nest when approached.
  • If animals are warm and quiet, they should be left alone
  • No animal will abandon its babies because they have been touched
  • Many young birds go through a stage where they are not flying well but are still being fed by the parent
• Warm – dark – quiet
  • Secure the animal in a sturdy box lined with a ravel-free cloth
  • Provide additional warmth by placing a bottle filled with hot water and wrapped in a towel inside the box
  • Avoid the temptation to check on it frequently; stress kills
• Do not feed, or give milk or water
  • Feeding the wrong food, or even milk can do more harm than good
  • A cold animal cannot digest food
• A bird that has hit a window should be placed in a box, kept warm and quiet, and given some time to recover
  • Attempt release
  • Call EWR if it does not fly away

EWR does not usually do pickups or captures; we will ask that you drop the animal off at the Centre. But please call first to ensure someone is at the Centre.

No. EWR asks that you call first as volunteers are not always on site, and we need to determine that the animal truly needs help.

Volunteers are not always on site, and if they are, they may be busy with the feeding and cleaning of the animals at the Centre. The phones are checked regularly, so EWR will return your call.

Every animal concern is different, with some situations requiring intervention, and some do not. The volunteer will ask questions to try to determine the action which is in the best interests of the animal. In some cases you may be asked to leave the animal alone.

EWR does not have set hours, as the times when volunteers are in can vary based on their availability, and will also vary based on the season.

No. Trapping and relocation of wildlife is not a long-term solution to the situation. EVERY neighborhood has wildlife. EWR volunteers will be pleased to discuss your concerns to determine the best course of action to resolve the issue.

No. EWR does not encourage trapping and relocation as it has the potential to create orphans, and can also be harmful to the animal.

In Ontario, it is illegal to trap and relocate animals more than one kilometer from the site where they were captured according to the Ministry of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The best course of action is to prop open the door to allow the animal to leave within its own home range, where it can find food and shelter. Moving an animal can be detrimental to the animal, and can potentially infect animals at the release site with a harmful illness.

Call and leave a message at the Centre and an EWR volunteer will call you back and offer advice on how to best handle the situation.

• Prevention is the best solution.
• Use a chimney guard.
• Secure all roof and attic vents.
• Inspect your home for rotting wood or entrance holes and make repairs.
• Keep garbage in closed, tamper-proof containers.
• Never leave pet food outside overnight.
• Keep property well-lit at night.
• Never leave garage or shed doors open. Fix poorly fitting doors.
• Reduce potential hiding areas; tall grass, wood piles, rock piles.
• Block potential denning areas under decks, sheds or steps.
• Removed ripened fruit from trees. Pick up fallen fruit and vegetables.
• Clean up spilled food around bird feeders.
• Place smooth metal wraps around tree trunks to prevent climbing.
• Inspect trees and shrubs BEFORE trimming. Limit trimming to non-baby seasons.

• A mother bird will abandon its baby if it has been touched. FALSE
• A deer fawn is abandoned if it is alone. FALSE
• Cottontails are abandoned if you don’t see the mother. FALSE
• Bread is okay to feed animals. FALSE
• A “nocturnal” animal out during the day must be sick. FALSE

If you have any questions about these situations, please call and leave a message at the Centre and an EWR volunteer will call you back and offer advice on the best course of action.

• Become a Member
• Make a donation
  • Donate money and receive a receipt for income tax purposes
  • Donate supplies. View wish lists on Facebook and our website Wishlist
• Become a Volunteer
  • Orientations monthly
  • Call and leave a message

Yes, EWR is a non-profit, registered charity which means we can give income tax receipts for donations.

• Mail a cheque to:

Erie Wildlife Rescue
11168 Tecumseh Rd. E.
Windsor, ON  N8R 1A8

• Send an E-Transfer to ewr@bellnet.ca

• Give on-line by visiting Canada Helps