38 - Sunday. December 13, 1992 - North Shore News Volunteer brings animals back to life Steven Hornstein of the Wildlife Rescue Association STEVEN HORNSTEIN remembers t day he showed up ne at the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C.’s Burnaby Lake offices to volunteer his services. “'f walked into the kitchen, and they (the staff} pointed to a great stack of dishes and said, *‘Here’s where you can start,’ *" laughs the 34-year-old North Vancouver res- ident. That’s when Hornstein realized that caring for orphaned, injured and pollution-damaged animals was going to be anything but glamorous. “They fet you know right from the beginning it's not hugging and petting animals,’’ he likes to say. Nevertheless, it's a cause that has kept him gladly driving out to ‘ Burnaby every week for .the last EWS photo Nei! Lucente WILDLIFE RESCUE Association’s Steven Hornstein disptays a few of the prints created by &.C. artists for the organization’s iimited edition collection. The Polo Ralph Lauren Ski Collection Polo Ralph Lauren introduces functional high-tech ski wear that creates excitement and energy with bold, dynamic cotors. while maintaining clean lines and classic elements, The Polo Store Ralph Lauren The Landing 375 Water street, Vancouver, BC 682-7656 Free parking upon proof of purchase of regular priced merchandise. year-and-a-half. Hornstein gives up four hours each week to help nurse maimed and sick animals back to health. His duties include scrubbing dirty bowls, washing soiled towels and cleaning out feather-laden cages. When he doesn’t have his head stuck in a cage he’s speaking to schoo! kids about the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C., one of Western Canada’s largest wildlife care facilities. With 150 volunteers and a minuscule staff of three, the organization has treated over 20,000 animals since 1979, repre- senting over 150 species — everything from the common squirrel and raccoon to the arctic loon. The group’s name is a bit of a misnomer, says Hornstein, By Evelyn Jacob News Reporter because, while it has been involv- ed in rescue efforts — saving birds that have been wounded in oil spills, for example — most of its energies go towards rehabilitating and eventually releasing animals back into their natural habitats. Patients include young aaimals who have been lost or abandoned by their parents and animals that have been hit by cars and ieft on the side of the road to dic. Injuries can be simple, fike shock, or more serious, such as concussions (Hornstein says woodpeckers often suffer concus- sions during the winter months from banging their beaks against frozen trees). The average room and board is two menths, but it varies from case to case, **Recently we had a heron come in from the Xitsiiano area that had fishing fine wrapped around its feet,” recalls Hornstein. ‘‘The poor thing had two of his toes severed. But talk about a really tough bird. “We put him on medication, and within one week he was eating 80 smelts a day. He gained strength and was released in two weeks.”’ He describes the experience of setting a healthy animal free as NAME: Steven Hornstein BORN: Montreal RESIDENCE: North Vanceuver AGE: 34 OCCUPATION: Volunteer, penite Rescue Association of EDUCATION: BCIT gred HOBBIES: Hiking, photography, fly-fishing, volleyball, running ““unbelievable,’” While some wounded ieave as fast as they come in, others aren’t as lucky. Two years ago, the association received a call on Halloween from a North “Vancouver woman who had stumbled upon a Great Horn- ed Owl. The bird, says Hornstein, had either been deliberately burned or accidentally electrocuted, and had to undergo surgery. It spent an entire year recovering at the association’s Burnaby Lake Cen- tre. Horstein says that educating people ca how to care for sick or injured animals is essential because well-meaning animal- lovers can do more harm than good by employing. the wrong techniques. One topic that arises at. almost all of his speaking engagements is the temptation to adopt ‘‘cute’’ See Artists page 38 THE LANDING) _ Exquisite shops with unique Christmas gifts. 375 WATER STREET Phone 687-114.