Hope For Wildlife

Hope for Wildlife

File:Hope for Wildlife foundation.png
Founder	Hope Swinimer
Founded at	Seaforth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Official language	English
Owner	Hope Swinimer
Website	www.hopeforwildlife.net

Hope for Wildlife (HFW) is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education centre located on a farm in Seaforth, Halifax (Nova Scotia) Nova Scotia, Canada. It was founded by Hope Swinimer in 1997 as The Eastern Shore Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre. It received its current name in 2005. A television series, Hope for Wildlife, began documenting the centre's efforts in 2009.

The centre is dedicated to providing care to injured and orphaned animals before releasing them back into the wild. It also strives to connect people to wildlife in a positive way through education for a sustainable future. As of 2018, the centre has helped over 40,000 animals return to their wild habitat, representing over 200 species. The farm's funding primarily comes from small donations. Larger donations are received from events like the open house where people tour the farm, a government grant for summer internships, and money from the television show. In an interview with a local paper, Swinimer admitted the show is "a little exaggerated," but it brings revenue to the rehabilitation centre and children from all over the country write letters asking about the animals. A volunteer recounted meeting people in South Africa who first learned about Nova Scotia through the show, which airs in more than 20 countries."

History

While working at Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital in 1995, Hope Swinimer treated a robin attacked by a cat. This experience ignited her passion for wildlife rehabilitation. She began rehabilitating wildlife as a full-time career, transforming her home into a makeshift rehabilitation centre, initially with cages in the backyard and using a spare room as a nursery. In 1996, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) required Hope to obtain a wildlife rehabilitation permit, as none existed in Nova Scotia at the time. Hope collaborated with DNR to establish a licensing process for wildlife rehabilitation in the province. In 1997, she received her rehabilitation permit and moved to Winnie's Way in Seaforth, Nova Scotia. There, she established the Eastern Shore Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. The centre became the first fully operational wildlife rescue facility in Nova Scotia. After a few years, the centre's needs outgrew its space, prompting Hope to move to a farm property in Seaforth in 2001. This allowed for expansion of her growing business. Five years later, the Eastern Shore Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre became Hope for Wildlife, a registered charitable organization, continuing to expand.

In 2012, Allison Dube, the primary worker and later manager at HFW for eight years, left for Scotland. As of 2015, the centre had assisted over 15,000 animals representing over 250 species. In 2018, a key member of HFW, Reid Steward Patterson, passed away. As of 2018, the centre had helped over 40,000 animals.

Mission statement

The organization has outlined its mission with three key goals:

1. Rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wildlife back into the wild.
2. Educate others about the importance of wildlife conservation and the ecosystems that sustain them.
3. Conduct research and development to enhance knowledge and understanding of wildlife conservation and management.

Progress

Since 1997, the facility has significantly expanded, starting with the development of an education centre allowing public visits to learn about wildlife and the organization's work. The education centre now comprises a building, an outdoor pavilion, and wildlife gardens. Significant progress has also been made in rehabilitation. Hope for Wildlife pioneered legal rehabilitation and release of white-tailed deer and birds of prey in the province. This includes a 100-foot-long flight cage for large birds and a deer enclosure encompassing over an acre of land with a small barn for orphaned white-tailed deer. A milestone was reached in 2012 with the opening of the province's first wildlife veterinary hospital. Subsequent projects included a marine unit for injured seal pups and seabirds and a large mammal unit for larger predators like bobcats. The centre typically receives approximately 3,500 animals annually, taking in more animals each year, including those that are injured, orphaned, or lost. The centre has worked with animals such as foxes, deer, raccoons, skunks, and beavers.

The centre receives about 10,000 calls annually to its wildlife helpline, which provides assistance to those encountering wildlife in need.

Funding

The organization primarily receives funding from public donations, including those who visit the centre and utilize the helpline. Most donations are around $10, covering necessities such as feed, cleaning supplies, and building upkeep (approximately $95,000).

Larger donations originate from annual events like the open house, gift shop proceeds, government grants for summer internships, and revenue from the television series, simply titled Hope for Wildlife, which documents the organization's work.

Television series

HOPE for Wildlife
File:Hope for Wildlife TV.png
Based on	Hope for Wildlife
Starring	Hope Swinimer
Country of origin	Canada
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	10
No. of episodes	137 (list of episodes)
Production
Production location(s)	Seaforth, Nova Scotia
Running time	52 min (1 hour timeslot)
Production company(s)	Arcadia Content
Release
Original release	January 16, 2011 (2011-01-16) – June 26, 2020 (2020-06-26)

Search Hope For Wildlife on Amazon.Produced by Arcadia Content, the documentary series, "Hope for Wildlife", follows the team as they care for thousands of injured and orphaned wildlife, returning them to the wild. Each episode highlights the stories of the animals and the dedicated team members who work to save them. Filming for the first season began in 2009, and the series is currently airing its tenth season in 2020. Episodes are one hour long. Online episodes are available on Arcadia Wild, Oasis HD, The Knowledge Network, and CottageLife.

Episode 100 aired on February 1, 2019, marking the 21st year of the centre's existence (during the summer of 2018).

Cast

Human

• Hope — founder
• Dr. Barry — veterinarian
• Allison — manager
• Rebecca — staff
• Nicole — staff
• Tiffany — Homebound City Pound staff
• Sara — staff
• Zach — staff
• Erin — intern
• Dr. Krystal Woo — first live-in vet

Animal

• Gretel — resident pine marten
• Oliver — resident barred owl
• Maxwell — resident skunk
• Dan — pet peacock
• Scotty — resident pigeon

Series Overview

Season		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	13		January 6, 2011 (2011-01-06)	()
	2	13		()	()
	3	13		()	()
	4	13		()	()
	5	13		()	()
	6	13		()	()
	7	13		()	()
	8	26		()	()
	9	10		()	()
	10	10		April 24, 2020 (2020-04-24)	June 26, 2020 (2020-06-26)

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