Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
March 01, 2022 - 6:00 PM
An application has been filed with the City of Kelowna to use of a parcel of land in the Hall Road area to build a small animal clinic for wildlife.
The current zone allows for an animal clinic only if the parcel is two hectares or larger. The applicants, Ria and Trent Kitsch who own the nearby Kitsch Wines, want that changed to 1.3 ha in order to accommodate a building and outdoor pens for small animals and birds.
“Currently there is nowhere to take injured or orphaned wildlife in the Interior of B.C.,” a letter from the Kitsch’s accompanying the application says. “If found, they are euthanized regardless of condition or ability to be rehabilitated due to lack of resources. The net result is a loss of wildlife.”
A separate letter was filed by Wild Things Rehabilitation Society that says it was founded by Sydney Platz.
The list of animals that could be rehabilitated at the site includes field mice, violet green swallows, doves, sandpipers, hummingbirds, squirrels, racoons and marmots.
It says no raptors or predators will be included but the final list will be determined by the Ministry of Environment.
Platz’s letter talks about clearing and levelling part of the land in order to accommodate a 53-foot long trailer to house indoor enclosures and a treatment area along with two outdoor aviaries and one outdoor animal enclosure.
The Kitsch letter notes that the city has already said the trailer will not be allowed.
The land is at 2605 O’Reilly Road but it fronts mostly on O’Reilly Lane at the foot of a steep hill. Much of the land is deemed to be environmentally sensitive.
The Hall Road subdivision borders on Mission Creek Regional Park and is below the orchards in South East Kelowna. It’s a large lot single-family home area and there are a number of houses close to the proposed rehabilitation centre.
The application was posted on the City of Kelowna’s website today, March 1, and has yet to go to city council.
READ MORE: Land donated for new wildlife rehab centre in Summerland
Last summer, land was donated in Summerland for the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. They are still raising money to build their shelter and cannot take injured animals at this time.
The South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre in Oliver only takes raptors.
The B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops has the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre that cares for birds, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals. Its permit does not allow it to take in large mammals, some birds, eastern gray squirrels, raccoons or marmots, among others.
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