TO: The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and AgricultureAND: Salmonier Nature Park AdministrationAND: Premier John Hogan, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
THE CRISIS
Catastrophic wildfires are devastating Newfoundland, with the Kingston fire alone consuming over 5,000 hectares and forcing mass human evacuations. While comprehensive emergency services protect human life, no wildlife rescue operations have been deployed despite thousands of wild animals facing imminent death by fire.
THE FAILURE
Research of all official government emergency communications reveals ZERO mention of:
 • Wildlife evacuation protocols
 • Emergency animal rescue operations
 • Deployment of wildlife rehabilitation resources
 • Protection measures for species at risk
This represents a complete abandonment of our moral and legal obligations to wildlife during emergency situations.
THE SOLUTION EXISTS
Salmonier Nature Park already serves as:
 • Newfoundland’s primary wildlife rehabilitation center
 • Coordinator of the provincial Wildlife Rehabilitation Program
 • Home to trained wildlife care professionals
 • Established infrastructure for animal emergency response
The expertise, facilities, and personnel exist RIGHT NOW to save wildlife lives.
WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE ACTION:
1. EMERGENCY WILDLIFE RESCUE DEPLOYMENT
 • Mobilize Salmonier Nature Park staff and resources immediately
 • Deploy emergency wildlife rescue teams to fire-affected areas
 • Coordinate with existing emergency services to include animal rescue
2. ESTABLISH EMERGENCY WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
 • Create safe evacuation routes for wildlife fleeing fires
 • Clear pathways away from advancing fire fronts
 • Coordinate with firefighting efforts to protect animal escape routes
3. EMERGENCY WILDLIFE TREATMENT FACILITIES
 • Set up temporary wildlife rehabilitation centers for burn victims
 • Provide emergency veterinary care for injured animals
 • Establish intake facilities for displaced and orphaned wildlife
4. RESOURCE ALLOCATION
 • Allocate emergency funding specifically for wildlife rescue operations
 • Provide transportation and equipment for animal evacuation
 • Deploy helicopters and personnel for wildlife rescue missions
5. IMMEDIATE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
 • Mandate wildlife protection protocols in all future emergency planning
 • Establish permanent wildlife emergency response procedures
 • Require coordination between emergency services and wildlife rehabilitation facilities
WHY THIS MATTERS
Every hour of delay means more preventable animal deaths. The government has proven it can rapidly mobilize complex emergency operations when it chooses to value life. The same urgency and resources deployed for human welfare must be extended to the sentient beings trapped in these fires.
This is not just about individual animals—this is about our moral character as a society. We have the power to prevent massive wildlife suffering and death. Choosing not to act when we have the capability makes us complicit in that suffering.
SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU BELIEVE:
✓ All sentient beings deserve protection from preventable suffering✓ Emergency services should include wildlife rescue operations✓ Existing wildlife rehabilitation infrastructure should be deployed during crises✓ Government has a moral obligation to protect vulnerable wildlife✓ Emergency planning must include comprehensive animal welfare protocols
TAKE ACTION NOW:
Sign your name below and demand that Newfoundland’s wildlife receive the emergency protection they desperately need.
The animals burning in our forests cannot speak for themselves. We must be their voice.
Time is running out. Every signature could help save a life.
Petition initiated by:  Rhonda Parsons. Contact: dodseedo@hotmail.com Date: August 12, 2025
For more information about the wildlife crisis, visit: gov.nl.ca/alerts and search for any mention of wildlife protection measures. The silence speaks volumes.