Deer fawns are some of the most endearing and labour-intensive patients in our care each spring. Orphaned or separated from their mothers, these spotted youngsters arrive completely dependent, requiring frequent bottle feeds that start up to six times a day before gradually tapering as they grow. As they transition to solid food, staff spend countless hours sourcing and cutting fresh browse daily to mimic their natural diet and support healthy development.

Each fawn spends an average of 140 days in care, costing approximately $4.30 per day in food alone, or over $300 per animal per season, not including medical treatment, supplies, and the ongoing fuel and labour required for daily browse collection.

When all costs are combined, including food, medication, and staff time, it can cost approximately $12,000 to rehabilitate just 10 fawns over a 4–5 month period. In 2025 alone, we spent roughly $2,500 on food and formula, excluding additional costs such as labour, fuel, bottles, nipples, and feeding equipment.

At peak care demands, supporting a single fawn can reach up to $60 per day, reflecting just how resource-intensive proper wildlife rehabilitation becomes during the busy spring and summer season.

In 2025, we received 20 fawns, requiring thousands of dollars in staff time and resources to give each one the best possible chance at a successful return to Alberta’s wild landscapes. Your support helps make this work possible.

Can you help us raise deer fawns this spring?