Mike McIntosh of Bear With Us honoured for his work

Mike McIntosh of Bear With Us Sanctuary and Rehabilitation in Sprucedale has been honoured with the 2025 Rehabber of the Year Award and inducted into the Wildlife Rehabbers Hall of Fame.

McIntosh began his career by volunteering at Aspen Wildlife Sanctuary and working with Audrey. In 1992, Mike founded the Bear With Us Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre for Bears. Bear With Us cares for black bear cub orphans and injured bears. McIntosh also offers education about black bears alongside his wife and partner, Ella.

McIntosh became fascinated by “perceived” dangerous bears and our misunderstanding of these species. He works closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Bear Wise program.

McIntosh is a partner in the wildlife education initiative Coyote Wolf Bear and has been a member of Ontario Wildlife Rescue’s board of directors for almost 20 years. McIntosh was also a fierce opponent of the spring bear hunt in Ontario, working with multiple organizations, and has always offered support and encouragement to other Wildlife Rehabbers.

 The Wildlife Rehabbers Hall of Fame was established by in 2017 by  Ontario Wildlife Rescue (OWR), and two awards are given out annually. The two awards are “Wildlife Rehabber of the Year” (a Wildlife Rehabber who has made a difference to wildlife rescue in Ontario) and “Wildlife Hero Award” (a non-wildlife rehabber who has gone above and beyond and made a difference to wildlife rehabbing in Ontario).

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