A raccoon struck on the road. A group of ducklings that have been separated from their mother. An injured owl can no longer fly and is stranded in a field.

How do you help these creatures?

Abbotsford is fortunate to have the unique Elizabeth's Wildlife Centre – a volunteer-driven animal hospital that specializes in the treatment of birds and small mammals. Each year the centre admits about 1,000 "patients," and about half of them can be successfully treated and released back into the wild. It also handles thousands more calls, offering people advice on how to deal with injured and orphaned critters.

Invariably, the people who drop off that grounded owl want to return with their children to see how it is doing. However, Elizabeth's visiting hours are extremely limited – one weekend per year.

"These are wildlife, and they're not used to being in cages, and they're not used to being given needles," said the namesake proprietor Elizabeth Melnick. While the dogs and cats at the SPCA might be delighted to have visitors, the reaction is exactly the opposite for the animals at Elizabeth's.

But one weekend per year she opens the doors to the public – this weekend, from noon to 4 p.m. both days.

The centre is located at 32508 Verdon Way, where visitors will see baby squirrels, robins, jays, ducks, wild rabbits, baby chipmunks and "possums galore," said Melnick.

The open house is a kid-friendly event, and there will be face painting, door prizes and a silent auction.

One reason Melnick opens the facilities to the public, is because the centre is reliant on the public for volunteers and for support.

"It's an ongoing battle," is how Melnick describes the centre's financial situation. "Our expenses are so high. We have to order specialty foods, medical supplies and so on..."

She said the costs range between $77,000 and $100,000 per year. The City of Abbotsford provides the non-profit society a $14,000 grant each year, but the rest of the funds come from donations.

Fortunately, once people gain some awareness of the centre and its work in rescuing animals, the donations pick up. Melnick said a financial crisis was looming just recently, but a special TV report led to a sudden outpouring of $11,000 in contributions.

Elizabeth's started as an in-home rescue centre in the local RN's house back in 1986, and has grown to an independent facility capable of handling hundreds of injured and orphaned wild birds and animals. There are four buildings, including aviaries, and a waterfowl pond to help rehabilitation.

Since Melnick moved to the new property nine years ago, she has held an open house every year.