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Our Mission

We help wildlife get back home to the wild.

Many wildlife adapt to living in our urban Ottawa environments, but they face many challenges. Mothers are accidentally killed by cars or illegally trapped and relocated, leaving behind orphaned babies. If they lose their mother while they are young and vulnerable, these babies have no hope except for the care we provide.

Porcupine in the grass
IMG 8615 scaled

Get Involved

We would not be able to help so many wildlife without the help of our dedicated team of staff, interns and volunteers. There are many ways to get involved and help wildlife. We have opportunities for summer student employment, full-time internships, Volunteers and co-op and field placements.

Come join our dynamic and diverse team of people from the community with a passion for wildlife and the environment.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

4 days 11 hours ago

Meet Laney, an orphaned raccoon found on the side of a busy intersection. At just 100 grams on admission, Laney was one of the smallest

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

6 days 10 hours ago

Do you have old linens you no longer want? RVWS is always looking for more linens for our baby animals. We use sheets, pillowcases, and

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1 week 1 day ago

It is always important to either try and reunite baby wildlife with their mom or make sure mom is coming back to feed them. Afterall,

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1 week 5 days ago

It's World Environment Day! Each small act makes a big difference. Today, and every day, let’s protect the planet by caring for all its creatures,

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

2 weeks 4 days ago

This eastern gray squirrel was admitted in early May after being found on the road—and then climbing up a passerby’s leg. Baby squirrels that follow

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1 month 1 day ago

As we head into a long weekend, we thought it timely to share our 1-pager on co-existing with coyotes. Unfortunately, this comes after a pair

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1 month 1 week ago

These red squirrels were found under a car hood. The finders tried to reunite the babies with mom but no luck. Fortunately, they brough the

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1 month 2 weeks ago

An update on Polar. She is growing steadily and is doing well. She had learned how to eat solids faster than any raccoons we had

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1 month 2 weeks ago

Although skunks are generally insectivores they are also opportunistic, meaning they will eat what is readily available. One prey type they can consume are venomous