Learning how to fend for themselves as they prepare for life on their own sure can make a baby raccoon hungry, and it's no different for a group of orphaned raccoons being cared for at the BC SPCA's wild animal rehab in Metchosin.

The Wild Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) has appealed on social media for the community to clear out their freezers of any unwanted meat and fish to help feed the orphaned raccoons and other carnivorous (or omnivorous) critters in their care.

"Like these little ones, many of our wild patients require meat and fish in their diet to thrive," said Wild ARC in a post. "We're currently running low on donated food supplies and would love your help. If you have extra meat or fish lingering in your freezer, please consider donating it to us."

The centre has said that it is specifically in need of red meat (excluding pork products), salmon, herring, halibut or cod, trout and bait fish.

The meat and fish donations should be frozen, uncooked, unseasoned and less that two years old.

"Your contributions help ensure that our sensitive patients receive the correct dietary requirements they need to recover and return to the wild," continued the post.

Donations can be dropped off at 1020 Malloch Rd. between 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. any day of the week. 

First opened in 1997, Wild ARC has helped thousands of sick and injured animals. Each animal is treated as an individual case, with the goal of releasing the animal back into the wild after recovery.

Anyone who finds a wild animal in distress should contact the BC SPCA provincial call centre at 1-855-622-7722 for advice.