Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

08/21/2026

Did you know this process, often mistaken for a raccoon washing its food, is about the raccoons learning about their food? Wetting food before eating it helps raccoons better perceive its characteristics.

Why? Well, the wetter the food, the more responsive the sensory nerves in the hairless parts of the animal’s front paws. This will help the raccoon better understand the object's texture, weight, size, and temperature.

08/19/2026

Meet Kim Possible, one of RVWS's most recent success stories. Brought to us in early June by her finder. Kim was found alone on their porch, possibly disturbed as their house was getting work done. After the mother showed no signs of returning, Kim came into our care and was immediately treated for fleas.

Kim Possible was joined by three other squirrels: Ron Stoppable (naturally), Jeremiah and Spatula. Ron came into our care after falling from a tree. His finders attempted to reunite him, but the mother did not return. Jeremiah’s finders graciously offered their property as a release site. The four can now be seen scurrying around the property, enjoying both the wild and the security of a nesting box as they swiftly adjust.

The care that Kim and her friends received could not have been possible without the support and generosity of our donors, release site provider, and volunteers.

08/18/2026

Looking to make a difference for local wildlife while building hands-on experience in event planning and fundraising?

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is recruiting Event Committee Volunteers! Work alongside our team to organize community fundraisers, silent auctions, and events in the Ottawa area.

What you’ll do:
- Assist with event logistics, timelines, and planning
- Help coordinate silent auctions, raffles, and sponsorships
- Support community outreach, promotion, and event-day ex*****on

Time commitment: Flexible! About 2–4 hours per month during regular planning, increasing to 6–8 hours near event dates. Most committee work is virtual, with hands-on support during local Ottawa events.

Ready to get involved? Check out the full role details and apply through the following link: volunteerottawa.ca/volunteer-job/event-support-committee/

08/17/2026

We are incredibly saddened to learn of the complete loss of the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in BC due to wildfires. Because of their advanced planning, all humans and animals are safe, but the building and all its important contents are gone. Keeping our fellow rehabbers in our hearts at this time.

How to hold grief and gratitude at the same time?
Amidst the smoke and sorrow, beyond our personal losses, we see just how deeply we belong to one another and that there is caring all around
Looking forward to when the smoke clears, we feel that uncertainty and heartbreak with this fire will be a new opportunity to rebuild and restore. After a wildfire comes through a forest, the wildflowers will come back and there will be so much beauty again...
Neighbours helping neighbours. Strangers opening their homes. Thoughts, well wishes and check-ins arriving from everywhere. We feel it in our hearts as we are counting our blessings
Thankful in advance for everyone pitching in and/or sharing, so we can rebuild Interior Wildlife and continue its mission: https://interiorwildlife.ca/donate/

08/14/2026

Fun fact! Did you know that a groundhog's incisors, like all rodents, grow continuously and are kept sharp and trimmed through gnawing and eating? In one sitting, groundhogs may eat more than a pound of vegetation.

08/13/2026

Introducing an exciting release! Meet Gingerbread the hoary bat.

The hoary bat, despite being one of the largest bat species in North America, is not one you will usually see, as it spends spring and summer concealed by foliage and dwelling in trees. When the finder saw Gingerbread, it was clear something was not right. The bat was found lying in the grass and would not fly away despite clearly struggling to. Under our care, Gingerbread relearned how to fly after several rounds of flight testing and was released a few days ago, now a fully-fledged flyer.

These furry bats are officially designated as endangered in Canada; thus, extending a helping hand to just one of them makes a big impact. Thank you to the dedicated support of our donors, volunteers, and staff, we are able to protect vulnerable wildlife.

08/10/2026

Here is one of our skunks on a walk, featuring a little moth friend. During a stroll in the woods behind their house, two boys saw a momma skunk drop her baby on the trail. They decided to leave the area for a few hours, hoping that mom would come back. Unfortunately, she never returned. It would have been close to impossible to find the mom or den, so he was brought into our care. His eyes were still closed then. Now, he’s starting to grow up and is doing great with some adopted siblings!

Thank you to the staff, volunteers and donors who make our work possible.

08/07/2026

We have received a release update for a couple of raccoons from last year, but with some special guests. The deer spotted in the first slide was not one of our releases but lives in harmony with them. And it seems one of the released raccoons had some babies of her own! Thank you to the dedicated release site provider who gave us this sweet update.

Finding a home for the rehabilitated wildlife is the final and most important step. If you are interested in becoming a release site provider, please visit www.rideauwildlife.org/release-site-provider/ for more information and an application form.

08/05/2026

A Friendly Reminder!

While we love all animals here at RVWS, we are not able to admit or care for birds. If you need help/information regarding an injured or orphaned bird, please reach out to the following organizations:

Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre
Nepean
613-854-2849
https://wildbirdcarecentre.org/
[email protected]

OR

Safe Wings
Ottawa
613-216-8999
https://safewings.ca/
[email protected]

If you need information regarding injured or orphaned mammals and reptiles, please visit our website. If you still need help, please email [email protected] with a photo of the animal, a description of the situation, your phone number, and the exact address where the animal was found.

Thank you so much for helping and caring!