A butterfly release is a beautiful way to memorialize a journey, celebrate a life, honor a loved one, or create a truly unique memory.
Butterflies are available from May 21-September 20, 2024.
We also offer fundraising options, and cater to public and community events for camps, not-for-profits, and hospice.
Butterfly release season is short in Canada: the butterflies are summer creatures, needing heat, light, and sufficient plant life to support feeding and egg laying.
We offer butterflies starting after the May Long weekend through to 20th September, depending on weather and smoke and other conditions: many years are shorter, or interrupted. We take the wellbeing of our animals very seriously.
We do not offer releases outside of conditions when the butterflies can survive.
We exclusively work with Painted Ladies: we do not offer Monarchs or other species.
A butterfly release ceremony is a touching and dignified way to honor the memory of someone you love or celebrate change. Returning native butterflies to their natural habitat is peaceful, healing and serene; a beautiful and meaningful way of providing friends, family, and especially children a way to express their emotions while connecting with nature and feeling part of something greater.
Butterflies have long been symbolic of new beginnings, transition, and hope. Many ancient cultures believed the butterfly was a symbol of connection to the ancestors, and to this day humans worldwide still consider butterflies to be messengers between the human soul and the spirit world. So too, in many ancient languages the word for the human soul and the word for butterflies or moths were often synonymous. Ask around: chances are you already know someone who has a connection to butterflies or a butterfly tale to tell.
The butterfly is nature's way of reminding us that there is always hope.
When the caterpillar is no more, the butterfly is born in ultimate freedom and beauty.
All butterfly orders require a 50% deposit to be paid at the time of booking, to guarantee your spot. Remaining balance is due no later than 2 days prior to shipping. Deposits are non-refundable but can be carried forward as credit.
PRICES
Minimum 6 butterflies per order.
SHIPPING FEES
Shipping Canada-wide. We do not offer pickup.
All shipping is Purolator Express. We require approximately 2 business days minimum for Canada-Wide shipping.
The exception is if you are within the city limits of Edmonton: we work with local couriers to provide same-day services within our hometown.
*Please note that releasing of any wildlife in Newfoundland & Laborador requires both import and release permits under the provincial Wildlife Act. We will require proof of permitting to complete your order.
We have butterflies available from late may to mid September, yearly. Within that window, you can call or email us to inquire about availability anytime (click here or phone 780-462-1839). Our schedule is based on historical weather patterns, migratory data of Painted lady butterflies, and current conditions.
Butterflies take us 4 weeks to raise, so prebook as far in advance as you can. Availability is first-come first serve. Popular summer weeks are often sold out months in advance.
With enough notice we can breed your butterflies just for you and guarantee availability. Many people order as early as January or February for planned celebrations and events.
That being said, we understand many events in our lives cannot arrive unexpectedly. We try to keep extra butterflies available all summer long if we can - but even these are first come first serve. Even if your window of time is super short (even a couple days), it's always worth inquiring. We cannot firmly guarantee availability, but we will do our very best for you.
Butterflies are strictly seasonal and dependent on good conditions.
We do not offer releases outside of our ethical release window (end of May-mid September), and we reserve the right to cancel or postpone your order if conditions occur which are non-compatible with life.
REQUIRED RELEASE CONDITIONS:
Conditions which will prevent a successful release include rainy or overcast conditions, excessive wind, snow, cold temperatures, smoke from forest fires, and natural disasters.
Due to the needs of the butterflies, we do ask that you make backup accommodations for a "plan B" release event, should conditions on your chosen day prove incompatible with releasing butterflies.
Butterflies are not always convenient: they are a living, breathing animal with needs of their own. Please do not attempt unethical release practices which may put them at risk.
We do not offer pickup. Our apologies for this inconvenience: we run a closed lab for sanitation purposes with our animals, and are not permitted for visitors.
PACKAGING
Butterflies are packaged in individual release boxes (see below for photo) for their safety and well-being. The boxes are 1x1x2", and mimic the kind of locations butterflies shelter in from bad weather in the wild: small, tight hiding spots where they feel secure from weather and predators.
This means each person receiving a butterfly will have their own special moment with it before they set it free as they open the boxes.
All butterflies in their boxes are shipped together in an insulated shipping container, with an ice pack to keep them cool (not frozen) during transit. This puts them in a rest state like what they would experience overnight in the wild: they sleep, cool and dark, and should be kept that way until you are ready to release them.
From the day we ship, the butterflies can safely do a maximum of 5 days in these conditions.
SHIPPING
Outside Edmonton
Butterflies are shipped Purolator Express (overnight) within Canada, which requires an average minimum of 24-48 hours for delivery. We do ask for allowance of 48 hours on all out-of-town butterfly release orders to provide leeway for mechanical delays or mistakes by Purolator.
Shipping and delivery is only available on weekdays excluding holidays.
Due to these shipping timelines, we cannot accommodate release events on Mondays or Tuesdays (we cannot get the butterflies to you on time). Wednesday events are cusp: we will need you to acknowledge that timely delivery is not always available for daytime Wednesday events outside of Edmonton.
We cannot provide you with exact delivery times. Purolator can accommodate business hours if your business lists them on google. All other orders are delivered anytime between 8 AM and 6 PM on weekdays.
Please monitor the tracking PIN number you are issued through Purolator: that is the most accurate and up-to-date way of monitoring your shipment's progress.
Within Edmonton
We work with local courier companies to provide same-day shipping in Edmonton.
Shipping and delivery are available on weekdays excluding holidays.
By default, orders typically arrive between 10 AM and 2 PM: delivery outside of that timeline can be requested but we will need to approve it. Please let us know if you need special accommodations for delivery timelines.
Please visit our instructions page: we will also provide written instructions at the time of order AND a paper copy in the box with your butterflies.
Upon the arrival of your butterflies, you fill find a keepsake postcard inside the box with this memorialized on it.
When the Creator made butterflies, he used only the most beautiful inspiration from the world.
He took yellow and orange from the bright summer sun, orange from the flower blossom, and blue from the rivers and waters of the earth. But He did not give them a voice, as they were His own special creatures.
If you have a dream, a wish, or a secret, capture a butterfly and whisper your heart's desire to it. Since butterflies make no sound, they will carry your wish to Creator, who alone knows the thoughts of butterflies.
By releasing them into the wild you are helping restore the sacred balance of nature, and your heart's needs will surely be granted.
Butterfly Wings n' Wishes Ltd.
Edmonton, AB
Copyright © 2023 Butterfly Wings n' Wishes Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.
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