Critter Care Wildlife Society鈥檚 12th annual dinner and auction is quickly approaching, with the purpose of raising much-needed funds for their habitat rehabilitation programs.

Gail Martin, executive director and founder of the society, says the money from this event will go directly to purchasing baby formula for the busy spring and summer seasons. This alone costs the society $25,000 a year to supply.

鈥淟ast year, formula, medicines like vaccines, medical supplies and what I call specific foods 鈥� like fish for the otters 鈥� was $62,000. That doesn鈥檛 even include the building of cages or anything like that,鈥� she said.

Critter Care Wildlife Society is the only organization in southern B.C. that specializes in the rehabilitation of native mammal species. It will take everything from squirrels and raccoons, to deer and black bears cubs.

They care from anywhere between 1,200 and 1,500 mammals per year, and can have up to 250 animals in their facility at any given time.

Last winter they had had an unusually high number of animals needing a delayed release back into the wild, including 16 black bear cubs. They normally have around eight.

鈥淎nimals come and go, but we鈥檝e had so many injuries this (past) summer,鈥� Martin said, explaining the high number of animals currently in the facility.

Fundraising events such as the upcoming dinner and auction are vital for the wildlife centre鈥檚 existence.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to get our name out there so more people recognize what we are trying to do, the importance of supporting what we do and to generate the funding that we need to keep on working,鈥� said Darlene McKay, organizer of the event.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 receive any government funding at all so these sorts of events are what we depend on, and corporate sponsorship. Without that we couldn鈥檛 carry on. So this is really, really imperative for us.鈥�

A number of items donated for the auction should prove popular with bidders. They include: a private plane trip for two to Tofino, complete with an air tour and brunch at the Wickaninnish Inn; an afternoon of cocktails on a yacht; a limited edition Bev Doolittle print; and tickets for tourist activities such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Paddlewheeler River Boat Cruise up the Fraser River.

The dinner and auction, hosted by Linda Aylesworth of Global TV, will be held on April 30 at the 91原创 Seniors Recreation and Resource Society- 20605 51B Ave. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through the Critter Care Wildlife Society. Those  interested can call 604-530-2054 or e-mail crittercare2@shaw.ca.