I'm reaching out on behalf of Eva and Jonathan, two dear friends and founders of the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Summerland, BC.

This weekend, one of the fastest-moving wildfires BC has seen this year tore through Summerland and destroyed the property, including the wildlife rehabilitation centre Eva, Jonathan and their team of volunteers spent years building and working to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife.

Eva and Jonathan are two of the hardest working people I know who consistently put themselves second to serve a good cause, choosing to live simply and invest their resources and energy into this project. Eva has worked with animals for many years at veterinary clinics, and Jonathan is an engineer who also teaches at Okanagan College - all this while adding many hours of unpaid volunteer work and lenghty commutes.

When the Bald Range wildfire reached their property, they had very little time to get out. In that hour, they loaded every wildlife patient in their care and got them to safety. Then, as they drove away, they watched on their security cameras as the entire facility was engulfed in flames, until the cameras went black. Their home, all their personal belongings and vehicle are gone. They drove out in the centre's truck, pets aboard and with all the wildlife patients in their cargo trailer. It is unclear how much of the centre, its equipment and tools are left at this point.

The good news is that every animal in their care made it out safely. They are now being temporarily housed and cared for at Kamloops Wildlife Park's rewilding facility, and the wildlife rehab community from across BC has been coming together to support them.

It is uncertain right now how or when they'll be able to rebuild. Thankfully, for now they are safe along with all the animals in their care. Let's help them rebuild. Every donation, big or small, goes directly toward helping these two get a new home, essentials, and whatever else they need to restart their lives and work at the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.

Donations specifically to the Interior Wildlife Centre and more information about the project can be found here:

https://interiorwildlife.ca/donate/

You can hear their story here:

https://thefurbearers.com/blog/defender-radio/surviving-the-wildfire-feat-interior-wildlife-rehabilitation-society/