Photographers fundraising for wildlife rehab facility
They've turned photographing wildlife into full-time jobs since 2012. The twist is that Keltie and Stan Masters share the profits with the subjects of those photos.
"For us we believe if we take a picture that we should donate a portion of that money that we're profiting from back to these organizations," he said. "It should benefit both of us."
The couple have supported various charities and rehab facilities over the years and now are raising money for the Medicine River Wildlife Centre southwest of Red Deer.
The photographers have a business called Back to Nature Apparel. They transfer their wildlife photos onto various kinds of fabric that's made into bags or clothing.
"We have beanies, like the hats for everything from youth to adults," said Keltie. "We do face masks, we have leggings and we have capris, we do kimono robes and our cushion covers, handbag so we're kind of growing a little bit more and more every day."
The couple are donating 10 percent of sales from November 6 to 15 for its pre-Christmas fundraiser and hope to raise $5,000 for the rehab centre.
"They need all the help they can get," said Keltie. "People don't realize that this is not funded by the government and so every little bit helps and we thought, wow we want to be part of that difference."
130 SPECIES
Carol Kelly is the executive director of Medicine River and has run the facility for 37 years. She says this summer staff took in 2,000 patients that represented 130 different species.
"And that could range anything from eggs, the parents have been killed, the nest is left and the eggs are there," said Kelly. "We've hatched (everything from) eggs and baby moose to injured hawks."
Kelly says the annual operating budget is just shy of a half million dollars and she relies on public donations rather than corporate or government grants and is happy to see initiatives like the Master's fundraising drive.
"Oh it's huge," said Kelly. "I mean when you think (that) our budget is $450,000 a year you know $5,000 is a nice chunk."
Stan said he loves wildlife and can't do enough to help.
"Our population of wildlife is declining" he said. "So the more we can help out and get animals back in like fostering deer or moose and getting them back into wildlife is very important."
Learn more about the fundraiser here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.

Turkiye's Erdogan wins 5th term as president, extending rule into 3rd decade
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning.
Fight still ahead for Texas' Ken Paxton after historic impeachment deepens GOP divisions
The historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was just the first round of a Republican brawl over whether to banish one of their own in America's biggest red state after years of criminal accusations.
Blais scores twice, Canada beats Germany 5-2 to win gold at men's hockey worlds
Samuel Blais scored two goals to rally Canada to a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.
Jan. 6 rioters are raking in thousands in donations. Now the U.S. is coming after their haul
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
3-year-old boy dies after drowning in backyard pool west of Toronto
Police are investigating the death of a three-year-old boy who was pulled from a backyard pool in Oakville on Saturday.
Alberta NDP holds rally in Calgary, UCP talks about crime, mental health supports
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley held a major rally in downtown Calgary Saturday morning, while her United Conservative rival had no public events planned this weekend after a final pitch to voters a day earlier.
'The Little Mermaid' makes box office splash with US$95.5 million opening
'The Little Mermaid' made moviegoers want to be under the sea on Memorial Day weekend.