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Make a Lasting Impact: Why and How to Include Charity in Your Will
Do you know you can set aside money for charity as part of your Will? You may have heard this called planned or legacy giving. And you’ll probably hear a lot more about it in the coming years: a Will Power study found a significant increase (5% to 8%) in Canadians donating to charity in their Wills.
That’s 1.2 million more Canadians giving in their Wills, creating roughly $37 billion in future charitable donations!
Think about how much good $37 billion could do – acres of forest saved, diseases eradicated, many people lifted out of poverty…
And countless wild animal lives saved and returned to their natural habitat.
Why the surge in Will-based charitable donations?
One apparent reason is the economy forcing us all to hold our wallets a little (or a lot) tighter. Donating in your Will lets you make a significant difference without using the money you need now. Even leaving 1% of your estate to charity in your Will could make a substantial impact.
Try the Will Power legacy calculator to see what 1% of your Will could do!
Coupled with an urgency to do something in the face of growing global need, gifts in Wills have become a popular solution. Inflation and cost of living may have put pressure on Canadian incomes, but the desire to help has never been stronger. This is a way for people to drive the kind of change they want, and it’s well within their reach.
Another reason is demographics. Canadians will pass down roughly a trillion dollars over the next 10 years, the biggest wealth transfer in history. It’s given many of us pause, realizing we probably will have enough to support family and a charity in our Wills.
Lastly, Canadians are just getting more creative with their giving by harnessing the power of Wills, RRSPs and other assets to give more strategically.
Why donate to charity in your Will?
It might sound funny to think of your Will as a powerful tool for change in this world, but when it comes down to it, there are many benefits to donating this way:
Contribute more than you could otherwise.
Our donors are always amazed when we tell them how far their donations stretch and how much more we can do for BC’s wildlife with every extra dollar.
When we show them what a small percentage in their Will to Wildlife Rescue could look like, they do the math, and their eyes light up.
Remember that the value of your “estate” is the sum of any property and/or business you own, your pension and/or registered funds, securities like stocks or mutual funds, cash savings, and life insurance. It adds up, even if you subtract debt.
The average Canadian family in 2023 had a net worth of $981,816. If you put just 1% of that aside for charity, you could donate about $10,000 to your favourite cause! When else could the average Canadian make such an extraordinary impact?
Keep your memory alive in a unique way.
Talk about motivation – imagine the pride your children or grandchildren will feel knowing that you’ve contributed to providing the highest standard of care for sick or injured wildlife for generations to come. Or the honour it would be for them to be involved in giving orphaned or pollution-damaged wildlife a second chance to live a natural life.
When your loved ones have something positive and meaningful to associate with your memory, you will have created a legacy that future generations can rally around.
Tax breaks. Big ones.
Canada has some of the most generous charitable tax incentives in the world! In Canada, when you donate, you get a charitable tax credit, which can go a long way toward helping you pay down what you owe.
Your loved ones might need that charitable tax credit upon your passing because your estate will likely be taxed, and they will have to pay the bill. You can even structure your donation differently to get the biggest tax break possible.
A popular approach is to name a charity as a beneficiary of your RRSP (Quebec residents must name beneficiaries of their RRSP in their Will). The credit received will close to cancel out the taxes owed on this asset.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can always book a consultation with a financial advisor specializing in charitable giving.
Writing a Will that includes a charity.
It’s easier than you think!
- Choose the charity or charities you’d like to support. It’s wise to book a chat with the charity’s gift planning specialist to discuss opportunities and ensure they can fulfill your future wishes. If you are considering leaving a gift in your Will to Wildlife Rescue, thank you! You can contact Sheila Dickinson at s.dickinson@wildliferescue.ca or 604-545-1421 for more information.
- Make sure you have the charity’s legal name and registration number. For reference, our legal name is WRA Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, and our CRA registration number is 131373490 RR0001.
- Get a rough estimate of the size of your estate and what percentage you’d like to go to family and to charity. P.S. The Will Power legacy calculator makes this really easy.
- Choose a lawyer, notary (if you live in Quebec or BC), or trusted online Will platform, such as Epilogue, to draft your legal documents. You can also find legal professionals who can help on the Will Power website.
- Make sure your Will’s executor and your family know about your plans.
Download the Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Will
with Family & Charity in Mind
Frequently asked questions about donating to charity in your Will.
Most donors have follow-up questions when they learn about the option to leave a portion of their Will to charity.
What about my family? I want to leave everything to them.
It’s possible to support both family and charity in your Will. Think about your Will in terms of percentages. If you set aside even 1% in your Will for charity, you can make a lasting difference (and lower taxes owed). And you’re still leaving 99% to support loved ones. It’s a win-win.
I don’t have much to give.
You might have more than you think. For example, donors are often surprised to hear that the RRSP or life insurance policy they have through work can be a smart way to give.
It’s worth taking stock of your assets. Even a modest amount can make a sizeable impact.
Do I have to be wealthy to leave a gift in my Will?
Not at all! Middle-income Canadians typically give this way. Do you know that the average donation made in a Will from the average Canadian is around $35,000? That’s the power of gifts in Wills!
How will I know what my gift accomplishes?
You won’t be able to see your gift in action, but when you leave a donation to Wildlife Rescue in your Will, you and your family become part of our Wildlife Community. We would love to hear how your vision matches our mission to save BC’s wildlife.
What if I change my mind?
Remember, you can always make changes to your Will. People generally update their Will at least a couple of times in their life.
You might also consider tools outside your Will to make a legacy gift. For instance, you can name a charity as a beneficiary of your RRSP or life insurance policy and make changes at any time. No hassle, no fuss.
Am I too young to be thinking about this?
If you have any assets, you’re not too young to be thinking about what happens to them. Without a Will, an executor or administrator will settle your estate according to provincial or territorial laws, which might not coincide with your values and wishes.
Everyone can leave a charitable gift from their estate, regardless of size. Your legacy reflects your life. It’s about the person you are, the values you demonstrate, and the example you want to set for others.
If you have any questions, Sheila, WRA’s Gift Planning Specialist, is happy to discuss more details with you. You can reach her at s.dickinson@wildliferescue.ca or 604-545-1421.
*Consult your financial advisor to ensure the gift aligns with your personal estate plan.
The Will Power campaign
Wildlife Rescue is a partner in Will Power, a national awareness campaign that encourages Canadians to use their Wills as a force for good. Together with Will Power, we want to connect people like you with resources to make the best decisions for their families, their future finances, and the causes that matter to them.
Avian Influenza FAQ
As avian influenza has been a hot topic over the past couple of months, we have received many questions from concerned wildlife enthusiasts about the virus. In this article, we address your questions and provide resources to stay up to date on avian influenza developments. For further information on avian influenza you can also refer to this article.
Have there been any recent positive cases in BC?
Should I be worried about my own health?
Can I get avian influenza from petting a bird?
Can eggs/dairy transmit the avian influenza virus to humans?
A sick bird was in my yard, will my dog get sick?
Should I be worried about cleaning bird feeders in my sink?
How do I disinfect my patio/items on my patio?
Can all birds get avian influenza? Has avian influenza been detected in hummingbirds?
Have there been any recent positive cases in BC?
This avian influenza dashboard shows test results from across Canada.
Should I be worried about my own health?
In general, the risk to human health from wild birds infected with an avian influenza virus (both low and high pathogenic strains) is considered to be low. You can read more here.
However, since research regarding avian influenza is ongoing, it’s important to adhere to government guidelines, such as the recommendation to not handle sick wild birds.
You can find more government information and guidelines here.
Can I get avian influenza from petting a bird?
The government recommends not to touch or handle sick birds or animals. Avian influenza is a respiratory disease. If you touch a sick bird or animal, then touch your eyes, nose, mouth or face, it is possible for you to get sick.
If you do touch a sick bird or animal, always wash your hands with soap and water and after removing gloves. Clean, disinfect or dispose of any potentially contaminated clothing, equipment or surface.
If you have touched or handled a sick or dead animal, watch for symptoms for 10 days after exposure. You can find additional guidance from the BC Centre of Disease Control here.
Can eggs/dairy transmit the avian influenza virus to humans?
Currently, the Canadian government states: “There is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit the virus to humans.” You can read more here.
A sick bird was in my yard, will my dog get sick?
Avian influenza, primarily adapted to birds, is not as easily transmitted to mammals. While much less common, many types of mammals have been infected including pigs, horses, dogs, domestic and wild cats, foxes, cows, goats, squirrels, mice, skunks, marine mammals, bears, mustelids, opossums and humans.
If your pet has been in contact with a sick bird, it’s important to monitor for symptoms. Fever, lethargy, eye infections, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, or neurological issues (like seizures or tremors) are symptoms of avian influenza to look out for in dogs and cats.
If your pet is showing symptoms of avian influenza, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you do not have a vet, you can find the closest one to you here.
You can find additional information on how to protect your pet from avian influenza here.
Should I be worried about cleaning bird feeders in my sink?
Using a dedicated tub or laundry room sink may be wise to prevent splatter of any pathogens from bird feeders onto food preparation surfaces. Whether you clean your feeders in a sink, tub, or outside, we advise thoroughly disinfecting the area where you clean any feeders when you’re done. You can find additional feeder cleaning guidelines here.
How do I disinfect my patio/items on my patio?
When disinfecting any items it’s important to wear the necessary PPE, like gloves and a mask. Clean the contaminated area with soap and water and then disinfect the space and cleaning items.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water after removing your gloves. Be sure to dispose of the PPE and other contaminated items in a plastic bag.
Can all birds get avian influenza? Has avian influenza been detected in hummingbirds?
Avian influenza is most prevalent in waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as any bird that scavenges or preys upon these birds i.e. birds of prey, gulls and corvids. However, other species may also become ill with avian flu.
Thus far, we are unaware of any reports of hummingbirds being affected by the avian influenza virus in Canada. If you’d like to stay updated about the species impacted by avian influenza, this government dashboard provides an up-to-date overview. Cornell Lab also shares a detailed list of affected species.
More commonly observed diseases among hummingbirds include fungal infections like candidiasis. This fungal infection causes a hummingbird’s tongue to swell, making it impossible for them to eat. As with other avian diseases, the spread of candidiasis can be prevented by cleaning feeders regularly.
You can find a detailed hummingbird feeder cleaning guidance here.
Window Strikes Surge as Fall Migration is Underway
As the crisp air of fall sets in, many of us enjoy the vibrant colors and the cooler temperatures. However, for our feathered friends embarking on their journey south, this season poses significant risks.
Fall migration has started and the Wildlife Hospital has already seen a steep increase in birds admitted for window strike treatment in August and September. This uptick highlights the dangers migrating birds face as they navigate urban landscapes.
Why Are Birds Striking Windows?
During migration, birds often travel at night and may be disoriented by city lights and reflective surfaces. Glass windows and railings, which can appear invisible to birds, present a deadly hazard. With their large windows and glass balcony railings, high-rise buildings are especially dangerous for migrating birds.
The Hidden Dangers
Window collisions are a leading cause of death for migratory and resident birds across the world. The stark reality is that these bird-glass collisions result in the death of approximately 25 million birds annually in Canada, a statistic reported by Global Bird Rescue.
Birds that have impacted a window often suffer from concussions, internal injuries, eye injuries, and fractured bones. Even if a bird seems to recover from an initial window strike, injuries can develop or worsen up to 48 hours later. This delayed effect makes immediate care from a trained wildlife rehabilitator critical for the survival of these birds.
How You Can Make a Difference
There are several proactive measures you can take to help reduce window strikes and safeguard migrating birds:
- Close Your Blinds: This simple action helps reduce reflections during day and night and makes glass windows less confusing for birds.
- Use Window Decals: Applying decals or patterns to your windows can make them more visible to birds and prevent collisions. When using window decals, it’s important to apply the pattern across the entire glass. Spaces in between stickers should be no greater than 5 cm/2 inches and each sticker at least 5 mm wide. They should be applied to the outside of the window. Find more information on window decals here.
- Get Creative with Tempera Paint: Mark the outside of the window with tempera paint, which is affordable and long lasting. You can use a grid pattern of 2 inches by 2 inches or get creative and create artwork covering the whole surface of your window.
- Turn Off Lights at Night: Bright lights can attract birds. By dimming or turning off unnecessary lights, you can help birds navigate more safely. It’s still good to take additional precautions against window collisions using any of the above methods
What to Do if a Bird Strikes Your Window
If you encounter a bird that has collided with a window, it is important to seek help from a trained wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Contact the Wildlife Rescue Support Centre for assistance at wildliferescue.ca/report-an-emergency.
Support Window Strike Victims
This year, Wildlife Rescue celebrates its 45th anniversary, marking decades of dedicated care thanks to the support of our incredible Wildlife Community. Your generosity today will support our vital work and help window strike victims recover. You can donate here.
By taking these steps, we can all contribute to creating a safer environment for our migrating avian neighbours. Let’s work together to ensure that every bird has a safe journey this fall!
To Feed or Not To Feed?
Fall and Winter Bird Feeder Guidance
Many of us like to give wildlife a helping hand by providing bird feeders over the cold fall and winter months. With various avian diseases spreading during these months, it is important to be mindful about offering food in a safe way. Ultimately, the goal is to do what is best for wildlife!
Wildlife Rescue notices an increase in birds presenting with contagious avian diseases, such as salmonella and conjunctivitis, during the colder months. Diseases can easily spread among birds sharing feeders because feeders attract large numbers of birds to one location.
We can’t tell a sick bird not to come to the buffet, so sometimes it’s best just to postpone the dinner party before anyone else gets sick.
If you notice sick birds in your backyard, we recommend cleaning your feeders and putting them away for at least 3-4 weeks and until sick birds are no longer present in your backyard. This way you can help minimize the spread of avian diseases.
Here are a few symptoms to look out for:
- They look puffed up and sleepy (they may sleep on the feeder)
- Not alert or not moving very much
- Inactive and have seeds all over their beak
- Swollen or abnormal looking eyes
- Seeking heat up against a building
If you are choosing to offer a feeder, we recommend taking the following steps to help keep wildlife safe:
- Remove all seeds from the ground daily.
- Please clean your feeder at least every two weeks by washing it with hot soapy water.
- Then, rinse the feeder thoroughly and disinfect using a solution of one part household bleach and nine parts water.
- Ensure that the feeder is thoroughly rinsed and fully dried after disinfection before refilling with fresh food.
Please note hummingbird feeders have a different set of recommendations.
Other ways to support wildlife
Including native plants in backyard gardens is another effective way to provide food and shelter to wild birds over the fall and winter months. You will attract more wildlife visitors to your yard without needing to maintain a feeder.
These are some native species you can plant in BC:
- White Fawn Lily
- Salmonberry
- Oso berry
- Red-Flowering Currant
- Native Columbines
- Lupines
- Pacific Bleeding Heart
Have you seen birds showing signs of disease, or do you have any questions? Reach out to our Support Centre for support and guidance here.
Thank you for looking out for your local wildlife!
How to Safely Drop Off Wildlife
Hundreds of injured and orphaned wildlife patients arrive at Wildlife Rescue due to window and car strikes, nest disturbances, and natural and human disturbances.
Below is your step-by-step guide that takes you through the process of dropping off rescued animals.
Found an animal in distress?
- If, at any time, you are unsure what to do please contact our Support Centre for advice on how to handle injured wildlife. This is the fastest way to get in touch with our Support Centre staff and volunteers who can help assess the situation and guide you through it. Never attempt to handle anything dangerous such as a bird of prey or bat yourself.
- If you are going to handle small songbirds or waterfowl, we suggest wearing gloves and a mask for the safety of animals and yourself. Use a cardboard box with small ventilation holes and a completely secure top. Place a towel inside and put the animal on the towel, closing the top quickly and securely. Place a towel over the box.
Dropping off at Wildlife Rescue:
- Please notify our Support Centre team by reporting a wildlife emergency.
- Our drop off hours vary seasonally, but our Support Centre is available to answer questions from 9:00-3:00 pm daily, 7 days a week (including holidays).
If you plan to drop wildlife at the centre during operating hours, please follow these instructions:
- Proceed to 5216 Glencarin Drive, on the south shore of Burnaby Lake.
- Please park in any of the parking spots in either parking lot.
- Follow the signage to our Admissions Centre where Wildlife Rescue personnel will guide you on next steps.
If you plan to drop wildlife at the centre after operating hours, please follow these instructions:
- Proceed to 5216 Glencarin Drive, on the south shore of Burnaby Lake.
- When you are within sight of the end of Glencarin Drive you will notice the Administration Building on your left with the clearly marked Intake Shed to the left of the stairs.
- Please park in any of the parking spots in either parking lot.
- Place the bird in a secured and ventilated box on the shelf inside the Intake Shed.
- Completely fill out the front side of the white intake form (located on the clipboard) so we know where the bird was found and what happened to it.
- Place the form under the box.
- Ensure the door to the Intake Shed is securely closed when you depart.
- Please consider donating to help care for the patient you have found here.
Duckling FAQ
Spring is duckling season, and with that comes a lot of questions about what to do when little baby ducks show up in unexpected places. Get your questions answered with our quick and handy Duckling FAQ! If you still have any questions, please contact our Support Centre.
Download Here (Duckling FAQ)
How You Can Help Nesting Herons
Like many bird species, the large and majestic Great Blue Herons are working away at nesting and laying eggs. While they’re not an uncommon sight around Vancouver, they are a species at risk in BC.
Despite their relatively large size, herons are extremely sensitive birds. The slightest human disturbance can cause a heron to completely abandon their nest. As herons nest in colonies of multiple families (also known as rooks), a group of herons abandoning a nest due to stress can be devastating.
What can you do to help? If you’ve noticed herons nesting near your home or favourite walking path, do your best to steer clear of the nest to prevent disturbing the birds. Keep an eye out for signs. Sometimes conservation officers will place them in the area to warn the public that a heron nest is nearby.
The above is especially true if you have a lovable canine friend. Dogs are a big disturbance for nesting herons, so be sure to keep your best friend close, on a leash, and well away from nesting sites on your daily walks this spring.
Your donations are critical to helping the local heron population! With your help, nests of orphaned baby herons can receive the care they need at Wildlife Rescue. Together, we can do our part to help these majestic, and sensitive, animals survive.
Co-existing with Coyotes
There are more babies on the way in spring than just birds! Coyotes are great at pest control, eating rats and mice, so it’s important to know how we can best share our environment with these tenacious wild animals.
Coyotes will form breeding pairs and begin having litters of puppies around this time of year. They are dedicated parents, and both males and females will stay with the litter. Coyotes are more visible at this time of year as they’ll be patrolling their territory with frequency. They might appear to act more aggressive, but in reality they’re just trying to keep their little ones safe. So, what can we do if we think there’s coyote activity in our neighbourhood?
Our friends at the Stanley Park Ecology Society have come up with the following guidelines for safe coexistence:
During breeding season it is very important for people to be aware of their surroundings when they’re out in parks or natural spaces, especially if they are walking a dog.
- Avoid encounters altogether – consult the Stanley Park Ecology Society coyote sightings map for areas to avoid and adjust your route and respect trail closures.
- Keep dogs on-leash to give you more control if you encounter a coyote.
- Should you see a coyote, keep an eye on it as you walk steadily away from the area, picking up your dog, if able. Stay calm and observe its behaviour for cues.
- If a coyote gets too close, haze it by raising your arms to be BIG and yell deeply to be LOUD.
- Do not run away from a coyote; this may invite it to chase you.
- Assess properties for food attractants and potential denning sites. Remove any food sources like open trash or compost. Cut down overgrown vegetation and close off any openings that can be used as dens.
Most importantly, If you see a coyote, you can report the sighting to the Stanley Park Ecology Society here! This helps the conservation community know where activity is highest and can help keep people, pets and coyotes safe.
Your Garden Can Help Wildlife!
Now that spring is well on its way, many of us are looking to get started on the season’s gardening so that we can enjoy a beautiful outdoor space all summer. You can get your backyard ready for yourself and help wildlife at the same time this spring with these simple tips from the Wildlife Rescue team!
First, this weekend is looking like a great time to start trimming hedges and shrubs. Few species will have started nesting at this point, so you’re less at risk of disturbing a nest. Hummingbirds do settle down early, so be on the lookout for their little nests. Any cut branches you’ve left behind might then be snatched up to help build a comfortable home for other birds.
You may be tempted to keep going and start raking all those fallen leaves, but here’s a great excuse to put it off a little longer! Pollinators like bees and butterflies will overwinter under piles of insulating leaves. Wait until temperatures are consistently 10 degrees Celsius or higher before cleaning up to give these beneficial insects time to wake up for spring.
When it’s time to get planting, focus on native species for your balcony or yard. These species help feed hummingbirds and berry eaters, so your greenspace can support their foraging. As an added bonus, you’ll attract more wildlife visitors to your yard without needing to maintain a feeder.
In BC, plant native species, like…
- White Fawn Lily
- Salmonberry
- Osoberry
- Red-Flowering Currant
- Native Columbines
- Lupines
- Pacific Bleeding Heart
As always, thank you for looking out for your local wildlife!
Valentine’s Day Cards
Robins are red,
Herons are blue.
Wildlife Rescue,
Made Valentines for you!
This collection of eight Valentine’s is free for you to download and print!
Wildlife Rescue Association of British Columbia
5216 Glencarin Drive, Burnaby, BC V5B 3C1
The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC is located on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to be on this beautiful shared territory.
Registered Charity #131373490RR0001
© Copyright 2025 WRA Wildlife Rescue Association of British Columbia. All rights reserved.