Camps are underway in Nanaimo for kids and teens to learn about local animals and the career paths to work with them.
Blaire Norbury, the SPCA's regional humane educator, said the camps, which include 'all about animals' and 'take action for animals,' have the goal of not only empowering youths to care for animals and the environment, but also to help them further develop their empathy, compassion, and critical thinking skills.
"Youths will have a chance to meet animals in our care and learn how to make positive change for them and animals in the community through fun games, crafts, and guest speakers," Norbury said. "Not only that but they will be able to makes new friends who also love animals."
As a part of the programming, youths learn about different wild animals, the situations in which they may need help – and just as importantly the situations they don't.
There are several situations when mid-Island animals exhibit behaviour that people often misinterpret to mean the animal needs help.
In the past, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre has received between 12 to 15 fawns per year that people brought to them after seeing the animal alone in the forest. Those individuals were unaware that deer leave their young alone for periods of time. This is also an issue for the SPCA's Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre, which puts out PSAs to advise people to avoid what they call 'fawn-napping.'
Young deer aren't the only animals people mistake for needing help.
"In fact, bunnies only come back for their young every 12 hours or so because they don't want to bring a scent back and attract predators," she said. "A lot of people see baby bunnies and think they need help."
At the same time, Norbury said it's important to recognize when an animal does need help.
If a fawn was in need of assistance, signs include the animal not moving from their hiding spot in 24 hours, crying continuously, wandering aimlessly, appearing injured, following a person or being in an unsafe situation. In those situations, people can call the SPCA animal helpline at 1-855-622-7722.
While July's camps have come to a close, programs in August include careers with animals workshops on Aug. 2 and 9 for ages 12 to 14, as well as the take action for animals camp Aug. 6-8 for ages 13 to 15. Other workshops and camps are currently filled, but Norbury advises families can still apply to be put on a wait-list or join virtual programming.
"Youths do not have to physically be in the shelter if they love animals. We love it if they learn what about what their pets need to be happy and healthy at starting at home. If they don't have pets, they can learn about wildlife."
