A wildlife rescue group's coin collection boxes around town are ruffling the feathers of a Deltabased counterpart.
At first glance, one can see why there's concern the Wildlife Rescue Association's fundraising boxes could lead locals to think they're donating to the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.
The two are completely separate organizations, but what they do have in common is an increasing need for money to keep their important services going.
The issue was brought to the Optimist's attention by a local resident that was concerned the Wildlife Rescue Association boxes could easily be confused as ones belonging to OWL, particularly because they include a photo of an owl.
She said several boxes can be found in stores and restaurants, however one retailer pulled his box when informed it wasn't to benefit OWL.
OWL executive director Beverly Day said a few people have told her the boxes can easily lead to confusion, especially with the photo of an owl.
She said the box that was removed at the local business had quickly filled up after a recent Optimist article about OWL's work and its challenges.
Day said she talked with a senior staffer at WRA, who insisted the boxes have their name and logo.
"Especially when they use a picture of an owl over here, come on. I said to him, 'We don't try to step on your territory but you coming in and putting boxes out here with an owl, that's our territory.' If they at least used a different picture of a duck or squirrel, that wouldn't be so bad."
Day said she has written a letter to WRA to see what can be done.
Noting it's not their intent to confuse anyone, WRA spokesperson Yolanda Brooks said they have the same collection boxes throughout the Lower Mainland.
"It's the first time I've heard any feedback we're trying to confuse people. We rescue animals from all over the Lower Mainland and we do have collection boxes where we have staff who live there, and where we have volunteers and supporters," Brooks explained.
"We ask them to go to their local establishments and say it's for Wildlife Rescue, so they would never say they're from OWL, and we are proud of what we do here," she said.
Brooks said the organization's education co-ordinator, who lives in Delta, distributed seven boxes in the South Delta area, each with business cards to make sure they aren't confused with any other organizations.
Based in Burnaby, the Wildlife Rescue Association has been around since the late 1970s, taking in and rehabilitating injured animals, including birds of prey.
The organization (www.wildliferescue.ca) has been active in spreading the word about its services and seeking donations.
Its 2012 annual report noted WRA knows it has to further develop various steams of income in order to support the ever-increasing numbers of injured wildlife that come through its doors.
Meanwhile, OWL (www.owlcanada.org) cared for 435 injured birds of prey last year, stretching the nonprofit society to its limit. In an earlier interview Day said the food bill alone reached over $1,600 per month.
OWL, which doesn't collect door-to-door, has
gained national recognition for treating injured birds of prey at its 72nd Street facility in East Ladner, but has been cut off from government funding, relying primarily on community donations.
For the last few years the society has been trying to raise money for a new facility at a more ideal location. Day said a local resident has volunteered to make collection boxes for OWL.
