About Us

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation was created to formalize the work that Jan Shadick had been doing for several years. She took in 20 animals in 2005. This grew to 150 in 2009, prompting the creation of LSWR in 2010.  By 2015, with over 650 animals needing care, it was time to move to a larger space.

Since the move, our services have been in demand, with 950 injured and orphaned animals arriving in 2017 and close to 2000 animals in 2020. Our budget has grown to over $200,000, with less than $10,000 of that going towards Administrative costs.

Jan was the first wildlife rehabilitator to receive provincial and federal permits in 2005, and Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation is the largest facility in the province.    We network with other rehabilitators to share resources and knowledge, including mentoring new rehabilitators who are seeking a permit.

Training opportunities in wildlife handling and natural history are a beneficial by-product of our work with student volunteers who are often in biology, pre-vet or vet tech programs.  This is formalized in our summer internship program at Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation.

As we have grown, we have become increasingly aware of the need for up-stream prevention work.  To build on our mission of encouraging tolerance for our wild neighbours, we developed educational programming for schools and community groups.  These programs invite the participants to learn about the value of wildlife by meeting a wild ambassador and recognizing their importance to the ecosystem.  Our dream is peaceful co-existence based on respect and understanding.

We are grateful to our local veterinarians at Forest Grove Vet Clinic who generously donate their time and expertise to assess and monitor our injured wildlife patients.  They provide medications and resources, even during the difficult times of Covid.

In the best interest of the wildlife, we work with many partners to advocate for and support tolerance of our wild neighbours, including with the City of Saskatoon.   For our work to be effective, we must also be environmentalists to ensure our wildlife have natural places where they can survive and thrive upon release.

We operate primarily with volunteers, except in the summer when we hire summer students, using government grants and donations to fund their salaries during the busiest season.

We need your help to continue to provide the level of care and attention that these animals require to grow and thrive upon their release back to their natural habitat. Please consider a donation today.

Our Mission

“To provide a safe place for injured and orphaned wild animals to grow and mend until they can return to their natural habitat while encouraging public tolerance and understanding of wildlife.”

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation is a non-profit, registered charity, based in Saskatoon, SK.

Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy is essentially “if you care enough to rescue and bring in the animal, we will put in the time and energy to rehabilitate it.”  Therefore we accept all wild animals brought to us, regardless of age, species, color, attitude, origin, injury, or need.

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation provides the full range of treatment services needed to rehabilitate small mammals and birds.  We assist the public with issues relating to wildlife; and promote knowledge and appreciation of wild animals and the habitats they depend on for survival.  Animals outside the scope of LSWR will be accepted, assessed, stabilized and transferred to the appropriate rehabilitation facility.

Animals are fed specially formulated diets to meet their nutritional needs and provided with the necessary medical care to heal their injuries.   All animals are carefully handled to maintain their fear of humans so they can be released back to the wild.

Jan Shadick – Executive Director and Wildlife Rehabilitator

Born in California, Jan’s sense of adventure took her to Connecticut after University.  While in Connecticut, she discovered the joys of wildlife rehabilitation and became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator working with small birds and mammals.

In 2001, Jan moved to Saskatchewan to be nearer to family.  She spent several years advocating for wildlife rehabilitation before receiving the first federal permit in Saskatchewan in 2005 and reviving the provincial permit program.  She continues to be an advocate for the profession, organizing the IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation course each year to train and encourage new rehabilitators.

Jan is also a founding member of the provincial organization, WRSOS, that runs the wildlife hotline and provides rescue/pick-up services for wildlife across the province.  She was on their board since the beginning in 2006 until 2022.

In 2021, Jan became a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator through the IWRC program and is enjoying her role as a trainer for their basic courses.

“I am honoured and humbled to be able to do this work and meet so many amazing creatures who have taught me so much over the years.”