Alberta non-profit forced to fundraise after being denied grant funding [Video]

The Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is being forced to rely on the kindness of others after they were denied funding ahead of their busiest time of year.

Executive director Beki Hunt with the centre says funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Grant has always been reliable.

“It was a big shock, to be honest,” explained Hunt. “We’ve been getting it (Canada Summer Jobs Grant) successfully every year for over a decade, so you know when we do our budget every year we plan that in.”

Operating since 1993, Calgary Wildlife provides free treatment for injured wildlife from Calgary and the surrounding area. The grant, which would have provided the non-profit with $50,000 in funding, allows for the hiring of 11 full-time positions from May through August, which is typically the busiest time of year for wildlife-related injuries.

According to Hunt, without those funds Calgary Wildlife has resorted to fundraising.

“If we aren’t able …