In 1992, a small group of volunteers, concerned that there was no organization in the Toronto area dedicated specifically to the care of wildlife, incorporated Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC). Led by an enthusiastic 25-year- old biologist named Nathalie Karvonen, they spent the first year running a basic wildlife hotline from a rented phone, and gathering resources to open a wildlife centre where sick, injured and orphaned wild animals could be admitted for rehabilitation.
On March 28, 1993, TWC opened its doors for the first time, and they have remained open ever since. The doors themselves have changed – the group quickly outgrew the 1300 sq ft first location in the Dufferin and Dupont area, and in May of 1994 moved to 3000 sq ft space at Dundas and River St. In 1997 the group moved to a slightly larger building in Parc Downsview Park. In 2005, when plans for the park included demolition of TWC’s building, the community rallied together to donate renovation supplies and services, turning an empty 14,000 sq ft airplane hangar into the state-of-the-art wildlife hospital and rehabilitation facility where TWC currently operates. In 1997 TWC also leased a second property in the Rouge Valley where over 60 outdoor cages were built to provide pre-release conditioning.
On March 28, 1993, TWC opened its doors for the first time, and they have remained open ever since. The doors themselves have changed – the group quickly outgrew the 1300 sq ft first location in the Dufferin and Dupont area, and in May of 1994 moved to 3000 sq ft space at Dundas and River St. In 1997 the group moved to a slightly larger building in Parc Downsview Park. In 2005, when plans for the park included demolition of TWC’s building, the community rallied together to donate renovation supplies and services, turning an empty 14,000 sq ft airplane hangar into the state-of-the-art wildlife hospital and rehabilitation facility where TWC currently operates. In 1997 TWC also leased a second property in the Rouge Valley where over 60 outdoor cages were built to provide pre-release conditioning.
As resources permitted, the volunteer group evolved to include some paid staff, starting with seasonal students during summer of 1993, and within a few years, a handful of full-time staff members. In those first few years, routine medical care was carried out at TWC while volunteer veterinarians provided veterinary care at their own clinics, and outdoor cages were built in Nathalie’s garage and then assembled on volunteers’ properties.
Heather Reid, a veterinary student, began volunteering at the centre in 1996, and upon graduation, was hired as TWC’s first staff veterinarian (after writing the grants herself to raise the funds for her salary!). This made TWC the first wildlife centre in Canada with a veterinarian on staff – currently TWC’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Reid has since become one of the most experienced wildlife vets in Canada. In 2001, after a demonstrated need, TWC initiated its Wildlife Rescue program in which trained staff would go out into the community every day to resolve difficult and dangerous wildlife situations.
Heather Reid, a veterinary student, began volunteering at the centre in 1996, and upon graduation, was hired as TWC’s first staff veterinarian (after writing the grants herself to raise the funds for her salary!). This made TWC the first wildlife centre in Canada with a veterinarian on staff – currently TWC’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Reid has since become one of the most experienced wildlife vets in Canada. In 2001, after a demonstrated need, TWC initiated its Wildlife Rescue program in which trained staff would go out into the community every day to resolve difficult and dangerous wildlife situations.
TWC has grown to be Canada’s busiest wildlife centre, and a leader in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. The Wildlife Hotline now handles over 30,000 calls each year from members of the public and organisations, and approximately 5,000 sick, injured or orphaned wild animals are admitted each year. Since opening, more than 70,000 wild animals representing over 270 different species have been admitted for care.
Many of the volunteers or staff currently working at Toronto Wildlife Centre have been with the organization from the beginning, or close to it, including Nathalie Karvonen, TWC’s Executive Director and Dr. Reid, Head of the Wildlife Hospital.
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