Canada Post is on strike... again.

For most Canadians, this strike is an inconvenience -- for us here at Shades of Hope, it's devastating... read on to see why!

Greetings!

Our annual Thanksgiving direct mail campaign was set to mail this week, and now, due to the Canada Post work stoppage, this mailing will (more than likely) end up in the recycle bin.

This initiative would have brought in approx. $30,000 in donations... funds that we desperately need! For a small charity like ours, a loss of this size is devastating... and this on the heels of last November's strike which cost us $40,000 in lost donations!

Many of you may ask, why send out mail at all? We do it because it works.

Your mailbox is far less crowded than your inbox!

Direct mail remains one of the most important ways that our supporters prefer to give. While we do offer multiple digital options for giving, our long-time supporters, value the tradition and trust of mail.

I'm asking you to consider making an online gift now... and help us raise the $30,000 in lost donations that this latest strike will cause.

I can guarantee each and every dollar received will be put to work, right away, helping the thousands of wild animals who turn to us... and you... for help!

Thank you so much for reading my rant!!

Gail

Gail Lenters,

Founder & Chief Animal-Lover

Donate Now!

A release months in the making!

You may remember Lucky the beaver. She came to us late last year with an arrow sticking out of her chest. She had been on our radar for weeks as rescuers kept trying to contain her, but she kept evading all their efforts. Then, with the help of many volunteers and the local fire department, we were able to catch her.

We called her Lucky because even though she was shot with an arrow through her upper torso… no internal organs were punctured... or even grazed (she did have a broken scapula though). She underwent surgery to remove the arrow, clean the wound site and fix the fracture, but she came through the procedure with flying colours.

Once Lucky had healed from her injuries, she was transferred to our colleagues at

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary as they have a purpose-built indoor enclosure, specifically designed for the care of aquatic mammals.

While at Aspen she thrived!

After 4 months in Aspen's care, Lucky was finally ready for release.

This story has a happy ending because of so many! From the rescuers to our intake team and from our veterinarians to the care team at Aspen. And let’s not forget you! Your support makes miracles happen!

Window collisions are a leading cause of death and injury for migratory birds across Ontario.

As the crisp air of fall sets in, many of us are enjoying the vibrant colours and the cooler temperatures. However, for our feathered friends embarking on their journey south, this season poses significant dangers.

Here at the refuge, we've already seen a steep increase in the number of birds admitted for window strikes. And, we only have a very limited timeframe to help and heal these birds because, if they miss their migration window, they will have to over-winter with us. You see, we need to ensure that each and every bird we release will be healthy... and hearty enough for their long and arduous journey.

You can make a difference!

There are several proactive measures you can take to help reduce window strikes and safeguard our migrating birds:

Close your blinds:
This simple action helps reduce reflections during day and night and makes glass windows less confusing for birds.

Use window decals:
Applying decals or patterns to your windows can make them more visible to birds both day and night. There are DIY options plus options you can purchase. To find the right solution for your house, cottage or office, please visit Flap Canada at: https://flap.org/stop-birds-from-hitting-windows/

Turn 0ff your lights at night:
Bright lights can attract birds. By dimming or turning off unnecessary lights, you can help birds navigate more safely. It’s still good to take additional precautions against window collisions using any of the above methods.

430 WILD ONES CURRENTLY IN OUR CARE

DONATE TODAY

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

donorrelations@shadesofhope.ca • 705-437-4654