KINGSTON, ON — When excavation began for a new development in Kingston, workers made an unexpected discovery: nests containing live snapping turtle hatchlings. The project from which the hatchlings were rescued, in collaboration with the team at Turtles Kingston, particularly Tara Bauer and Lesley Rudy, is actually an ABNA Investments Ltd. project located at 9 North Street in Kingston’s Inner Harbour area. ABNA is a sister company of Doornekamp Construction within
the Doornekamp Group of Companies.
“Sustainability is a core value at ABNA Investments, and we’re grateful to Turtles Kingston for helping us safely rescue these 78 hatchlings from our 9 North Street
project. We’re equally thankful to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre for caring for them through the winter until their anticipated return to Kingston’s Inner Harbour next summer.” – Zach Skolnick, Vice President
However, rescuing the turtles from the construction site was only the beginning. They needed somewhere to go. That's when Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre received the call. Would they take in 78 baby snapping turtles? For an organization already caring for injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife, the request represented an enormous additional responsibility. Yet Sandy Pines stepped forward. Each year, the Centre admits more than 6,000 wild animals, representing a remarkable variety of species, each with its own specialized needs. Its staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide the care these animals require, with the goal of returning them to the wild whenever possible.
The 78 new arrivals present a particularly demanding challenge. Too young to be released before winter, the turtles will need to remain at Sandy Pines until approximately
May. Their care will require an estimated two hours of staff time every day, along with constant attention to the quality and condition of the water in their tanks. For aquatic turtles, maintaining appropriate water conditions is essential to their health and survival. The estimated cost for each turtle’s care is $1000, for seven to eight months. And there is another complication. With groundwater levels unusually low in the area, Sandy Pines has already been forced to begin purchasing water much earlier than usual. Each delivered tank of water costs approximately $300. For a charitable organization that receives no regular government operating funding and depends on donations, bequests and fundraising events, these additional expenses place further pressure on already stretched resources.
Seventy-eight tiny turtles may not seem like a large number. But keeping them safe and healthy through a Canadian winter is an enormous undertaking. And they are only a small part of the thousands of wild animals that depend on Sandy Pines every year. More Than 20 Years of Giving Back Fortunately, Sandy Pines has a remarkable community of supporters.
On November 7 and 8, the Centre's annual Jewellery Fundraiser returns to Crossroads United Church @ 690 Sir John A MacDonald Blvd in Kingston.
For more than 20 years, this popular fundraising tradition has brought together thousands of pieces ofdonated jewellery, enthusiastic shoppers and a dedicated team of volunteers. Perhaps most remarkable is that many of the same volunteers have continued to give their time and energy to the sale year after year, helping turn donated treasures into vital support for wildlife rehabilitation. Visitors will have an opportunity to browse thousands of pieces of jewellery while knowing that their
purchases will help animals in need.
JEWELLERY FUNDRAISER
Crossroads United Church, 690 Sir John A MacDonald Blvd., Kingston
Saturday, November 7, 2026 — 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 8, 2026 — 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Winter Wonderland Vendors Market and Visit with Santa Claus — November 14
The community will have another opportunity to support Sandy Pines at the Winter Wonderland
Vendors Market on Saturday, November 14 from 10am – 4pm, at 8749 County Road 2, Napanee.Both events offer opportunities to support the extraordinary work of Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre. The story of these 78 turtles is a reminder that wildlife rescue does not end when an animal is removed from danger. Often, that is when the most demanding and costly work begins.