Latest news with #HopeSwinimer
Global News
3 days ago
- General
- Global News
Green bins can become ‘death traps' for raccoons, N.S. wildlife rehab centre warns
A Nova Scotia wildlife rehabilitation centre is spreading the message about the importance of securing green bins, as it receives a growing number of calls about stuck raccoons. Hope for Wildlife, based in Seaforth, N.S., says it has seen a 'significant rise' in the number of these calls. Not only are raccoons finding themselves stuck inside the bins, but so too are squirrels and birds. During an 11 a.m. interview with Global News, Hope Swinimer, the centre's founder, said they had already received three such calls that day. 'It's definitely a seasonal issue and I get a lot more calls in the summer, but I have noticed this year we are getting more calls and I don't know if that's just because people are more aware of Hope for Wildlife and what we do, or whether that's because the problem has grown,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'But (green bins are) really death traps any time in the year because they're trapped in there and they can't get out.' She notes raccoons are clever at opening lids and can be attracted by the smells coming from the green bins. 1:59 UBC scientists on the caper to crack the mystery of raccoon intelligence If someone does find a raccoon in their bin, Swinimer says she usually advises them to check on the status of the animal. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I ask a few questions (like) when's the last time they checked the green bin just to get an idea of how long that animal might have been in there,' she said. 'If they said they checked it yesterday, I'll recommend they put the bin on the side with the door open and go away for about a half hour and come back to see if the little raccoon scampered off.' Story continues below advertisement She says if the animal looks bright-eyed, alert and is clean, then that's a good thing. 'However, if they open the bin and the raccoon's wet and full of the waste that's in the bin and looks bedraggled and tired, then it's sort of a different process, because I know that animal will need to come in for medical care,' she said. 'They'll need to be rehydrated and examined and cleaned up before they could go back to the wild.' Her advice is to keep green bins clean and to store them away from walls or stairs, where animals can climb. The top of the bin should also be secured with a bungee cord. 'If you have a hard time pulling it open, then the raccoon will too,' she said.
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
N.S. animal rehab centre dealing with influx of raccoons
Hope for Wildlife in Nova Scotia says there has been an uptick in calls about raccoons stuck in green bins. Hope Swinimer, who runs Hope for Wildlife in Nova Scotia, says her rehabilitation is nearly overrun with raccoons. 'There's not a day goes by this time of year that we don't get a call where there are one or two raccoons trapped in green bins,' Swinimer says. She calls the increase in compost bin racoons is significant but avoidable. A good elastic cord is one way to keep critters out of the bin; another is to stand it away from a wall or a tree that the animal can use to climb up and pry open the lid. 'As soon as they see that there's an animal trapped in there, if it looks bright eyed, and you've checked the bin the day before, you can lay your green bin on its side and leave the door open. Go away for a half an hour and come back and check,' Swinimer says. Raccoons would need help often end up at Hope for Wildlife. 'Sometimes it's just a matter of giving them some hydration to get them back on their feet,' Swinimer says. 'Other times you have to give them a complete bath along with the hydration because they are a mess from being in the bin.' 'Typically we find animals that are still alive and we just tipped the bin over and let them scurry and get on their way,' says Michael Teraud, owner of Bin Buddy's. 'Keeping the green bin clean is a distraction to those animals being attracted to the green bin.' Green bin A green bin is positioned on a curbside. (Source: Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic) Sometimes animals in green bins aren't found in time and their bodies must be removed. The Halifax Regional Municipality says dead animals are not part of the green bin collection, or any other municipal curbside pickup. Residents can contact a pest control or wildlife removal service for safe disposal at their own cost. Raccoons Nova Scotia is dealing with an uptick of raccoons getting stuck in green bins. (Source: Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
15-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
N.S. wildlife charity warns public of rise in donation scams
Hope Swinimer, the founder and director of Hope for Wildlife, is pictured with a bobcat in her lap. (Mike Lamb/CTV Atlantic) A charitable wildlife rehabilitation organization in Seaforth, N.S., told the public it does not solicit donations or goods door-to-door in a Friday Facebook post. The founder of Hope for Wildlife told CTV News in an email these incidents come up once or twice a year, but they've noticed an increase in reports lately. 'Most concerning this year was someone claiming to work for Hope for Wildlife and offering to take wild animals,' said Hope Swinimer. 'That kind of misrepresentation puts both the public and wildlife at serious risk.' Swinimer said other charities are facing similar issues. 'It's important we're not misrepresented,' Swinimer said. 'Our goal with the post was to remind the public to be cautious and always confirm directly with us.' The post advises anyone who finds an injured or orphaned animal to call the charity's helpline so a trained volunteer can be dispatched to transport the animal to a veterinary clinic. Those looking for ways to help Hope for Wildlife should visit its website or email questions about donating, said the post. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
