Region's first injured or orphaned wildlife clinic proposed for East Kelowna

Photo: Google Maps

Kelowna could, with the blessing of city hall and city council, become home to what is being called the first clinic for injured or orphaned small wildlife in the southern interior of the province.

A proposal sent to the city by East Kelowna property owners Maria and Trent Kitsch and Wild Things Rehabilitation Society founder Sydney Platz suggests the facility could go at 2605 O'Reilly Road.

The application states an environmental report suggested a "small animal clinic for small mammals and birds would be a benefit to the ecology on the site, concluding "wildlife rehab is most effective in a setting that either mimics or is the same as their natural habitat."

It further states rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured or orphaned wildlife will help support their populations and maintain the ecological balance.

"The need comes from the fact any small bird or mammal that isn't domesticated that is injured is euthanized in the interior," said Maria Kitsch.

"There is no place to take anything not domesticated and have it rehabilitated in any way."

A single structure with three outdoor enclosures to house injured wildlife is being proposed for the property which borders on both O'Reilly Road and O'Reilly Lane.

Kitsch says the structures would be modular designed meant to be mobile and not permanent.

The application states the exact species of animals included for rehabilitation will be determined by Ministry of Environment permits, but does says raptors and predators will not be included.

It's expected animals such as squirrels, raccoons, field mice and marmots will be included along with birds such as sandpipers, hummingbirds and Eurasian collared doves.