She really misses the people and, especially, the birds.
Former Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) executive director Bev Day admits it’s been tough not being involved in the organization she not only loved, but one that was very much a part of her identity over several decades.
Trying to maintain her infectious laugh, Day, who now lives in a mobile home in Aldergrove, gets tearful when talking about her split with the group she founded, saying it’s been physically and emotionally draining since her firing in 2014.
It turned out to be a particularly nasty break up with the two sides taking each other to court. A B.C. Supreme Court judge recently ruled in favour of Day, finding her employment was wrongly terminated, without cause, and that there was no merit to OWL’s case. She was awarded more than $140,000.
“Even after they fired me I still ended up getting night calls because everybody knew us. The community was behind me and I had so many people tell me they’re glad we won the case but this has been so much stress. That was my life, everything, basically for 40 years.”
With her husband Ralph experiencing ongoing health issues and her daughter passing away during the drama, Day says she’s trying to get by as best she can, noting that having to defend her character and reputation was particularly difficult.
“It hurts. It’s hard to describe. I’ve been torn apart and feel betrayed, I really do.”
In the ruling, the judge noted, “(OWL) was a significant and consuming part of her life and sense of self-worth,” adding Day was forced to defend meritless claims concerning her honesty and character.
Rescuing and caring for injured birds of prey since 1978, Day is considered a bit of a pioneer in the field. First taking in injured birds at her Surrey home, she would eventually set up an operation on acreage in that city. When that property was sold, the operation moved to its present location in the 3800-block of 72nd Street in East Ladner.
Day lived in a home on the property and with the help of dedicated volunteers and staff, many thousands of birds were treated and released over the years. The society also started popular educational programs.
The face of the organization, Day was affectionately known by some as “the bird lady” in Delta. She was well respected in the community and was named a finalist for Citizen of the Year in 2010 by the Delta Chamber of Commerce.
Despite the messy split, Day still has a fondness for OWL, the birds and many of the people associated with the organization.
“I just want to know everything is being run proper. I really care about the people there and really miss Delta too. If I have a doctor’s appointment in Delta, we try to arrange to meet with people for a meal. There’s so many people that I’d like to know if they’re still doing well.”
Day says she’s worried OWL’s reputation and people’s willingness to contribute to the organization could be hurt by the court case.
OWL’s Bev Day is shown receiving a cheque from young bird enthusiast Joel Sagar in 2014.
“When kids would go fundraise on their own for OWL with nobody telling them to do that, that made me so proud. I was proud in what I’ve been able to accomplish.”
Day says she hopes to volunteer her time with another charitable group.
“When this is all over, what I want to do is take a course on fundraising. I would like to be able to help organizations out. If it works out, I’d like to be able to do the grant thing for OWL.
“I love the birds, I still love the birds and miss the birds. It was my life 24/7. I’d like to know things are run proper, even if I can’t be there.”
Noting health and age were forcing her to begin slowing down somewhat before the fallout with the society, Day says her husband takes up most her time nowadays but she’s been able to get a little gardening in now and then.
“I still end up crying with Ralph sometimes because I get upset because he can’t understand what’s going on. That’s life. But the mobile home we’re now living in, I really love it. I have enough to keep puttering around and I’ve been slowly gathering plants from people and doing a bit of gardening and landscaping. That’s what’s been keeping me sane, working out in the garden. I really miss the birds and the people and the kids. I may have been the leader but they put their hearts and souls into it too.”
Day’s lawyer, Jordana Dhahan, says her client was always passionate and outspoken when it came to OWL and her work was her whole life. Coupled with living at OWL and being on-call 24 hours a day meant, Dhahan says Day lost more than most people do when they lose a job.
Dhahan told the Optimist that OWL would be commencing an appeal. Day is disappointed the saga continues to drag on.
“What’s with this appeal they’re launching? When will this be over? The lawyer costs will take basically my whole award and I’m getting nothing. I can’t afford this. I’m just living off my pension,” says Day. “It’s not really the money that I was after, it was my good name and reputation. I’ve built that up and the way it was suddenly taken, it left me in tears and you can’t do anything.”
OWL did not respond to requests for comment.
