SEAFORTH, NS — Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore is home to Hope for Wildlife, an animal rescue operation that’s also the subject of an internationally-broadcast television series.
Since allowing cameras to film at the rehab centre, founder Hope Swinimer said she’s noticed a big difference in the attention it’s getting. Donations of more than a million dollars have been collected, a new x-ray machine was donated, and work to build a new, state-of-the-art barn has started, all since the show began.
“It was a very small operation seven years ago and with the exposure from the TV show, we now reach thousands of people,” said Swinimer, who started the rehabilitation centre 20-years ago.
“You can always get by and Hope for Wildlife will never shut down, however, it’s improved the ability for us to do the work we do.”
Hope for Wildlife wasn’t officially open to the public when the series started. Swinimer and her team of volunteers cared for about 1,000 animals and often found it difficult to raise money.
Now, the rehabilitation centre cares for about 3,000 injured and orphaned animals each year. Hope for Wildlife also draws in 10,000 visitors annually, making it one of the biggest attractions on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore.
Halifax-based Arcadia Entertainment produces the Hope for Wildlife TV program. Craig Ferguson, Creative Head for Arcadia Content, said the future of the show is uncertain.
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“I know the network would be happy to show this series seemingly until the end of time. There really happy with it, they’re happy with the stories we’re bringing people from Nova Scotia. It has a great following in 26 countries all over the world, but without the tax credit, it doesn’t make financial sense for us to make it,” said Ferguson.
Arcadia employs 30 people year-round. According to the company, for every dollar they receive from the Nova Scotia film tax credit, six more dollars are brought into Arcadia from funding partners outside of the province to help produce the show. All of that money is spent in Nova Scotia. After the show is made, it’ sold internationally, and the company pays taxes to the Nova Scotia for those revenues as well.
The 7th season of Hope for Wildlife is filming right now, but whether or not there will be an 8th season is yet to be seen, said Ferguson.
Hope Swinimer is hoping the cameras make a return. “I don’t think taxpayers mind paying money when there is a good return on that investment, that’s what good business is about,” she said.
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