Penny and Joe’s Wild ARC Adventure: How to Help a Wild Friend in Trouble

“It was a scritch-scratch, sniffle-snuffle kind of day in Beacon Hill Park,” Penny whispered, peeking out from behind a bush. “And then we saw it… a baby bird with a wonky wing!”

Now, Penny and Joe are very good at many things — finding leftover waffles, stealing shiny sandwich wrappers, hosting dance parties in the moonlight — but fixing bird wings? Not so much. That’s when they remembered the magical place for wild animals in trouble:
Wild ARC!

(That’s short for Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre — but Penny says it should stand for Wild And Really Cool.)

What is Wild ARC?

Wild ARC is like a hospital, hotel, and spa just for injured and orphaned wild animals on southern Vancouver Island. They take in over 3,000 patients a year — everything from sleepy raccoons (no, not Penny and Joe… probably) to eagles, owls, seals, squirrels, and more. Their goal? Get those animals healthy, strong, and back out into the wild where they belong.

How Raccoons Are Rehabilitated

When a raccoon checks into Wild ARC, it’s like a VIP “Very Important Paws” experience:

1. Check-In & Vet Care – The raccoon gets a full health check from a wildlife vet. They look for injuries, dehydration, or signs of illness (and sometimes check if they’ve been eating too many potato chips).

2. Quiet Recovery Space – They stay in a calm, raccoon-proof enclosure — no loud noises, no people poking them, and definitely no dogs chasing them.

3. Special Raccoon Meals – Wild ARC feeds them healthy, wild-style foods like berries, eggs, fish, and nuts. No pizza crusts allowed — sorry, Penny.

4. Skills School – Young raccoons learn how to climb, forage, and open things (not garbage cans, but natural “puzzles” that mimic wild food challenges). Adults keep their wild instincts sharp.

5. Graduation Day – Once they’re strong, healthy, and acting like wild raccoons again, they get released back where they belong — in a safe habitat, far from roads and human snacks.

Penny says, “It’s like raccoon summer camp, but with less marshmallows and more tree climbing.”

How to Call the Wild Animal Doctors

If you ever find a sick or hurt wild animal (or a baby that looks lost), you should always call before you try to help. That’s what Penny and Joe learned — because sometimes baby animals aren’t really alone, and their parents are just off getting snacks.

Here’s the magic number:
📞 BC SPCA Animal Helpline — 1-855-622-7722
Or, if you live near Victoria: 250-478-9453

They’ll tell you exactly what to do — and what not to do — so your wild friend stays safe.

Penny & Joe’s Top Tips for Helping Hurt Animals

(We call these “The Raccoon Rules of Rescue”)

1. Don’t rush in with a hug. Even the cutest fuzzy face might be scared or hurt. Give them space.

2. Call Wild ARC first! (Did we mention that?) They’re the experts.

3. No snacks, no drinks. Penny once tried to give a crow a french fry — big mistake. Wild animals need special diets.

4. If told to transport them, use a cozy box or pet carrier lined with a towel. Keep it dark and quiet.

5. Be quick, but gentle. Stress is super bad for wild animals, so keep noise low and voices soft.

How You Can Help (Even Without Finding an Animal)

Wild ARC doesn’t get government funding — they run on kindness, donations, and raccoon-level resourcefulness. You can:

• Donate money, supplies, or wish list items.

• Sponsor an animal (like “owning” a seagull for a month, but without all the poop).

• Volunteer if you’re a human with spare time and a big heart.

• Spread the word — tell your friends, your class, your grandma, your barber, your bus driver…

Penny’s Final Word

“Helping wild animals isn’t about being the hero,” Penny says, twitching her whiskers. “It’s about making sure they can be their own heroes again — out in the world, climbing trees, soaring in the sky, or… rummaging through garbage bins.”

And Joe adds: “Also, if you do take them to Wild ARC, check their pockets for snacks first. Just in case.”

📍 Wild ARC Address: 1020 Malloch Rd, Victoria, BC
📞 Helpline: 1-855-622-7722 (or 250-478-9453 locally)
🌐 Visit Wild ARC’s website