Passion for rescue
Southwest Lot 16, P.E.I., woman thankful for wildlife rehabilitation permit
Almost a year since becoming the first person on P.E.I. to receive a wildlife rehabilitation permit, Candy Gallant said that being able to rescue animals legally has made her work much easier.
“It’s all been very overwhelming,” said the Southwest Lot 16 resident. “But in a good way.”
One year after moving to P.E.I., in 1972, people in her community knew her as “the crazy lady with the animals.” They would often bring her baby birds they saw in need of help.
Without a provincial license to work with wildlife, though, temporarily housing and rehabilitating animals was prohibited in P.E.I. Every year, she would request a permit from the province; every year, she was told it was impossible, as such a thing did not exist in P.E.I.
Despite operating for many years without a permit, Gallant had never received a fine; that is until, in January 2021, when she posted on social media about a distressed snowy owl she had rescued.
“That was the first and only fine I ever got.”
When the incident sparked a social media stir and media coverage, the fine was later rescinded. After conversations with the province, Gallant was finally officially given a license to rehabilitate wildlife on April 30 of that year.
“It was kind of a shock,” said Gallant. “After all the years of asking for it, I’d given up.”
HELPING OUT
In Cora Sonier’s opinion “it’s about time” that the province issued a wildlife rehabilitation permit to Gallant.
“For years, she’s been doing it at the risk of getting fined,” said Sonier. “But if it wasn’t for her, I’d say, probably, our animal population on the Island would be a lot worse off than it is.”
Sonier was five years old when she first met Gallant while rescuing a baby bird that “fell out of the sign” outside of Zeller’s in Summerside. Today, she is hoping to start a group to support Gallant's work.
Her main goal is to raise funds to help Gallant build a sanctuary. Currently, Gallant rescues out of her house. Through fundraising efforts and information sessions, Sonier hopes to spread awareness about what can be done to aid injured animals.
In her opinion, Gallant’s work is important to help preserve local wildlife, and she is happy to do whatever she can to help lighten the load.
“I’ve always wanted to do what she does, I just don’t have the time, or the experience or the knowledge,” said Sonier. “This is the only way I feel like I can help her, right now.’
NEXT STEPS
Since receiving the permit,
Gallant said she has been much busier with her work. She’s been able to talk about her animals on social media, including a Facebook group where she can keep group members updated on animals in her care, and educate people on wildlife.
“It’s increasing awareness, I think,” said Gallant. “It’s really nice to be able to openly talk about it … and not feel like I’m running from the law, or watching what I say.”
The license has also allowed Gallant to register her business – P.E.I. Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. – as a non-profit. The next step is to become a charitable foundation.
With more people knowing about Gallant and her passion for animal rescue, she said in the last year she has rescued about twice as many animals than before.
In spite of more animals coming through her doors, Gallant’s operation remains a one-woman job.
At the time of speaking to SaltWire Network, Gallant was unsure if more permits would ever be granted, but hoped that it would be a possibility.
“I’m kind of playing it by ear,” said Gallant. “I’m telling a lot of people who have the interest to contact the department of wildlife and find out how they can get a permit. It would be nice to mentor somebody.”
Overall, Gallant said the 11 months with a license have gone by quickly. Although it’s come as a relief in many ways, she said that the most noticeable and welcome difference is her ability to discuss her animals publically.
“Any animal I get, it always makes me grin like an idiot that I can tell the world and be proud of myself, proud of the animal that got released,” said Gallant. “It does make me feel really good. The good is by far outweighing all the bad stuff.”
“Any animal I get, it always makes me grin like an idiot that I can tell the world and be proud of myself, proud of the animal that got released. It does make me feel really good. The good is by far outweighing all the bad stuff.” Candy Gallant