One day, a couple who had run over a skunk with their car brought it to the Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital. When the veterinarians couldn't look after it, Hope Swinimer decided to take the helpless animal into her care, and that was the start of it all. Now, through her rehabilitation centre called Hope for Wildlife, Hope's name is synonymous with wildlife rescue in Nova Scotia.

Since 1997, hundreds of animals have been saved through the tireless efforts of the staff and volunteers at Hope for Wildlife. Some animals' stories were so unique that they even garnered national attention-such as Hope's battle with the department of natural resources over Gretel, a member of the endangered pine marten species. Each creature comes with its own challenges, either through a particularly difficult injury or a quirky personality-like Lucifer the inexplicably bald and ornery raccoon-but each patient leaves an indelible mark on the lives of those around them.

Hope for Wildlife tells the stories of fourteen different wild animals from Nova Scotia that have passed through the centre. Colour photographs of the animals and the centre's efforts supplement the text, and info boxes offer further information on the province's wildlife. The stories in Hope for Wildlife are educational, heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking-but always filled with hope.

Ray MacLeod is a retired teacher, as well as a former columnist and reporter with the Halifax Chronicle Herald and several other daily and weekly newspapers. His creation of a full-credit high school applied journalism course won him the 1993 Hilroy Fellowshop for outstanding innovation in Canadian education. Ray is a former information officer for the Newfoundland Department of Resources and a lifelong outdoorsman and naturalist. He lives in Waverly, Nova Scotia.

Ray MacLeod's profile page

• Short-listed, Evelyn Richardson Memorial Non-Fiction Award