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March 19, 2008 – Minutes of Meeting

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Waiver:  GROWLS volunteers can expect to be asked to sign a waiver (similar to the one shown at Attachment 1) to clarify risk-taking responsibility;
  2. Eagle Taxidermy: A local taxidermist is not available to undertake the task, hence our eagle will remain on-ice until approximately $600 can be found to continue with the task. Also, permission forms for taxidermy and retention will be forwarded to Dar Mace for completion;
  3. Dog-Deer:  The Gabriola Rod, Gun & Conservation Club hosted a round-table discussion on 11 March to discuss the dogs-chasing-deer situation. Several agencies were invited, but only GROWLS was able to attend. A combined GRGC Club/GROWLS article will appear in the island newspapers next week;
  4. Barred Owl Release:  the owl will be released near Lawrence Mayles’ property on Friday, 21 March @ 4:30 p.m. (1630L hours). On-lookers are invited. Park in the United Church lot and walk 5 minutes into the Petroglyph Park to the boundary of Lawrence’s place;
  5. Training Course: Liz had 11 students at the last GROWLS training course  (21 Feb). Liz encouraged others to get into the Instructor seat for these courses to add their expertise to the presentations. The inclusion of “oil spill rescues” to the course was discussed. At a fee of $2500 per training course, grants or subsidizations will be sought (Dar Mace to investigate);
  6. Website:  Dar Mace thanked the community at large for the input received. Shirley Highfill’s son, Mark, is volunteering his time to build the site. Ted Willcox was singled-out for his donation of wildlife photo contributions. The web site should be up-and-running by next week. Remember, it is a ‘work-in-progress’ and a ‘living site’ and ideas/suggestions are always welcomed;
  7. Summer Student help: this will not happen in 2008. However, numerous agencies were keen (one had 60 students available) for next year. To be re-generated for ’09.

New Business:

  1. CASE Studies (21 February – 19 March 2008):

    2. Wildlife Lived Died Unk Comments
    Deer 4 3 2 no

    rescues - 2 natural causes, 1 euthnzd. 2 x dog chases
    Sea Lion   2   no

    rescues - 1 towed away - 1 decapitated by sharp-edge  
    Porpoise   1   no

    rescue - dead @ Drumbeg - DFO recovered - necropsy reveals bacterial

    infection
    Bird 2     small

    yellow/green
    Rabbit     ? negotiations

    for adoption?
    Seal   1   dead

    @ Twin Beaches
    Dog     1 referred

    to PetFind

  2. Pager Trg: Bev MacDonald successfully endured the fire-hose instructional technique and is now approved to hold the pager for GROWLS. Lisa Carter and Nikki Stewart are on-deck for similar training;
  3. Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC Annual General Meeting Report: Sheila Lake & Dar Mace attended this weekend session in Victoria. Highlights of Saturday presentations are contained at Attachment 2. On Sunday, Dar Mace undertook training for animals afflicted by an oil spill. The priority is speed-of-action in dealing with this disaster;
  4. Frog Night: Islands Trust & GROWLS will host a guest speaker, Purnima Govindarajulu, PhD, on Friday, 18 April to educate us on local amphibians and habitat. It is intended that 5 island ponds be chosen for same-day study, with follow-on monitoring by long-resident-desiring Gabriolans. Any GROWLS members wishing to volunteer their pond should contact Dar, 247 - 7415;
  5. “Planet Earth” showing:  Liz will provide her DVDs to the Roxy to show the BBC series to those interested on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, 22 April. This day is ‘Earth Day’, so it’s appropriate, n’est-ce pas? Entrance free; donations accepted;
  6. Bill S-203:  Sheila Haniszewska brought to our attention a Bill that is outraging various animal groups. See www.spca.bc.ca/legislation/default.asp for background info. Sheila wrote to our local MP, Jean Crowder, and received a reply  (see Attachment 3 ) that contained several e-mail addresses of value in supporting the elimination of Bill S-203;
  7. Kit Inspection:   Liz will be phoning holders of GROWLS rescue kits to coordinate re-stocking of kits this month. Nikki Stewart has purchased clip boards and spray bottles (for homeopathic medicine) for inclusion in kits;
  8. Educational Material:  Shirley Highfill will contact Wild ARC for educational flyers and pamphlets for GROWLS use;

 

This meeting ended at 2105L hrs.  The next Monthly Meeting of GROWLS will be Wednesday, 16 April @ 1930L hrs and held (as usual) at the Rollo Seniors Centre.

Sheila (& Bob) Lake
247-8886

 


ATTACHMENT 1

GROWLS (Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society)

RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING

I, the “volunteer,” am aware that rescuing and transporting wildlife involves many inherent risks, dangers, and hazards. In consideration of Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society (GROWLS) agreeing to accept me as a volunteer, I hereby agree and acknowledge that:

  1. I fully assume and accept all such risks, dangers and hazards and the possibility of personal injury, death, and loss of or damage to property.
  2. GROWLS (Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society) and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (the “Releasees”) are not liable or responsible for any loss, damages or expenses, of any nature whatsoever (including those arising or resulting from personal injury, death, or loss of or damage to property) however caused, including any such loss, damages or expenses caused by negligence.
  3. I agree to hold harmless the Releasees and indemnify them in respect of any and all liability for personal injury, death or loss of or damage to property suffered by them, myself or a third party, as a result of my being a volunteer for their organization.
  4. I agree that the contract evidenced by this Release and Indemnity shall be governed by the law of the Province of British Columbia, and that the courts of that Province or the Federal Court of Canada shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any and all claims, actions and demands against the Releasees.
  5. I agree that the contract evidenced by this Release and Indemnity shall bind my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.
  6. I FURTHER AGREE to bear all costs of rescue or medical attention rendered to me, or for my benefit, arising from my activities with GROWLS.
  7. I CERTIFY that I am medically and physically fit to participate with GROWLS.
  8. I have carefully read and understand this Release and Indemnity.


ATTACHMENT 2

Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC
Annual General Meeting, 1-2 March 2008

Presenters.

  1. Chris Collis,  DVM/ Victoria.   Dr Collis explained the difficulties facing domestic practice veterinarians who volunteer their help to wildlife rescue/ rehab. He said that domestic intervention results in approx. 90% success due to patients having “owners” who supply a pet’s history. Domestic animals receive on-going preventative health care starting shortly after birth. Domestics are accustomed to human handling, which eases stress and permits easier intervention. Domestics don’t try to kill the vet. Wildlife will fight to the last breath for survival. Euthanasia is rarely used in private practice  (when compared to actual case loads at a vet clinic).
  1. Helen Schwantje, DVM/BC Ministry of Enviroment.  Dr Schwantje’s presentation was on zoonotics and emerging wildlife diseases such as SARS, TB, West Nile and Chronic Wasting. None of the above mentioned diseases pose an immediate threat to Gabriola’s wildlife. The bulk of the presentation focused on known/ normal zoonotics affecting most wildlife including marine mammals. Bottom line for all GROWLS rescuers; WEAR GLOVES!! The threat to rescuers is minimal if proper handling (i.e. as little as possible) is followed.
  1. Laurie Wilson, Wildlife Toxicologist, Canadian Wildlife Services. Ms. Wilson informed us about the ongoing investigation of lead shot poisoning in Trumpeter Swans. Canadian and American wildlife authorities are involved in the study. The physical area involved is on the mainland south of Abbottsford straddling BC and WA .
  1. Anna Hall. PhD Candidate, UBC.  Porpoise Strandings in Southern BC. Ms. Hall has an ongoing study of Harbour and Dalls Porpoises that includes strandings. We are unlikely to encounter a Harbour porpoise on or near Gabriola as they are found in the waters closer to Victoria and the Juan de Fuca Strait. The strandings are not understood although some porpoises did suffer from Naval sonar deployment. Harbour Porpoises are among the heaviest carriers of zoonotics on the planet.
  2. Angelika Langen, Northern Lights Wildlife Society. Angelika and her husband built and operate a rehab centre near Smithers. Although accepting all manner of wildlife, they specialize in black bears. Only orphaned/ injured cubs come into care. This past year they began a Grizzly Bear rehab and currently have two cubs. I urge all to visit their comprehensive web site www.wildlifeshelter.com

 

Round Table discussion on the scope of illegal ship-source oil pollution and potential impact on the seabirds of BC completed the day. 


ATTACHMENT 3
From: Crowder, Jean - Riding 1B
To: shewa@shaw.ca
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 3:59 PM
Subject: FW: Bill S-203

Dear Ms. Haniszewska,

Thank you for expressing your concern about animal cruelty and Bill S-203.   As you are aware, this bill leaves wild animals and strays unprotected and is lacking in measures that ensure that abusers face charges.  99% of those who do face charges escape conviction.   For years, MPs have been trying to change the law to reflect ordinary Canadians’ values. That means closing loopholes that shield abusers, stopping those who profit from animal fights, and taking animals out of property law as well as protecting wild and stray animals. 

All those efforts are at risk.  The conservatives and liberals have abandoned a promising bill (C-373) that had strong public support. Instead, they are lining up behind Bill S-203—a weak bill slipped in through the undemocratic senate—and they’re blocking every effort that my colleagues and I make to amend it.

Bill S-203 is a trick. It’s designed to bury this issue by creating an illusion of progress. How? This bill increases penalties for some existing offences. But it does nothing to fix the 115-year-old loopholes that protect abusers from prosecution in the first place. 

What can you do? Alongside every animal protection agency in the country, you can write and demand that the parties get serious about animal protection—and kill Bill S-203:

·    Rob Nicholson, Conservative Justice Minister: Nicholson.R@parl.gc.ca / 613-995-1547

·    Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal Justice Critic: Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca / 613-992-1020

£ Yes, the law should be changed as in Bill C373, to protect animals from cruel treatment.
 

Yours sincerely,  

Jean Crowder, MP
Nanaimo-Cowichan
www.jeancrowder.ca

 

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