Community Partners: A Q&A with Jennifer Ferguson of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR)
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) is Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal rescue hospital.
We’re pleased to feature the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) for our latest Community Partners Q&A. We interviewed Jennifer Ferguson, Director of Development, about the organization’s important work and the importance of their Community Outreach and Volunteer Program.
In two to three sentences, tell us a bit about your organization.
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) is Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal rescue hospital. Each year, we respond to hundreds of calls about animals in distress and provide hands-on care to those that need rehabilitation, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Every patient also helps us better understand the health of our oceans.
Tell us why support from organizations such as OpenRoad Foundation is important for charities and non-profits.
Support like this makes it possible for us to say “yes” when an animal needs help. Rescues don’t follow a schedule, and having trusted partners means we can respond quickly and provide the level of care each animal needs. It also allows us to invest in outreach and prevention, which is just as important. Support from organizations like OpenRoad means that sick, injured, or orphaned seals, sea otters, sea lions, turtles, and small cetaceans are given a second chance at life.
How did our grant help VAMMR?
The OpenRoad Foundation’s grant helped strengthen our Community Outreach and Volunteer Program. This includes expanding our ability to engage communities along B.C.’s coastline, equipping volunteers with the tools and training they need, and increasing awareness about what to do when someone encounters a marine mammal in distress. These efforts support faster response times and better outcomes for animals. With more than 200 volunteers contributing over 14,000 hours(!) each year, this support also helps us better recognize and sustain these incredible people.
What’s coming up for VAMMR (or, what’s new)?
We’re heading into a busy rescue season, so a lot of our focus right now is on preparing for whatever comes next. We never know what cases will come in, but we do know we need to be ready. We’re also excited that the new rescue vehicle we won through the Defender Service Awards will be arriving soon. This award was made possible through the support of groups like OpenRoad, especially Land Rover Langley, and our incredible community. At the same time, we’re continuing to grow our outreach work and strengthen the foundation that supports everything we do, so we can be there when animals need us most.
What’s your favourite part of working with VAMMR?
For me, it’s getting to work so closely with our supporters. From kids who choose to donate their birthday money to people who have followed our work for years, that connection is incredibly meaningful. I’ve been a self-professed super fan of the rescue team for years, so being part of it now, and helping make a difference for marine life, feels really special.