Bridging Borders for a Better World
2025 Update: Hillary Spencer is a former board member of CWoR serving from 2022 – 2025.
As a 100 per cent volunteer run charity, people are at the heart of Canadian Wings of Rescue (CWoR). One of our four core values is to commit selflessly, putting the cause first and prioritizing the greater good.
So, it’s natural that in 2022 when Hillary Spencer, now board member and Director of Animal Health and Welfare at CWoR, learned that the organization was facing unprecedent operating challenges following the pandemic, she stepped up to keep our organization alive.
Joining Chirag Chopra and Mark Bett, she took the decisive action of joining the board and working tirelessly to rebuild CWoR’s foundation. Two years later, CWoR is thriving thanks to Hillary and countless others.
” CWoR plays a critical role in the animal rescue cycle,” she explains. “As we look ahead to the future, I’m eager to see CWoR expand its reach across Canada, building a larger network of volunteers and increasing the organization’s visibility so we can and help more animals in need.”
Her contributions to CWoR have been instrumental in shaping its future, focusing on the safety of both animals and volunteers, while also navigating the challenges of running a non-profit organization. Hillary’s expertise in animal care and safety are crucial to ensuring the success of each animal transport.
Sparking change across the globe
No stranger to giving back to communities, Hillary joined CWoR in December 2022, eager to make a meaningful difference, and her volunteering journey has since taken her thousands of miles across the globe to Ghana.
“I’ve always aspired to combine my veterinary expertise with my desire to contribute to animal welfare on a global scale,” she explains.
Her aspiration became a reality in May 2024 when she was selected as an Animal Health Specialist volunteer for Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) North America.
During her assignment in Ghana, Hillary partnered with a women-led organization dedicated to empowering women and fostering economic growth through animal agriculture. She played a crucial role in capacity building, biosecurity inspections, training, and resource development for the organization.
Reflecting on her experience with VWB, Hillary shares, “Working alongside these resilient women was truly inspiring. Their strength and determination serve as a constant reminder of the power of human spirit.”
Hillary’s dedication to animal welfare and her commitment to making a positive impact on both a local and global scale serve as an inspiration to all of us at CWoR. Her journey demonstrates the profound difference that individuals can make when driven by passion and a desire to contribute to a greater cause.
If you share Hilary’s love for animals, consider transforming it into meaningful actions—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about these vital efforts. Together, we can ensure that every animal receives the care they deserve.
