Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation provides critical welfare support for injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals, but faces significant resource constraints.

Key Facts

There are approximately 3,000 licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the US
Wildlife rehabilitators treat over 4 million animals annually in the US
Survival and release rates for rehabilitated wildlife vary widely by species
Most wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers operating with minimal funding
Human activity is the leading cause of wildlife injuries requiring rehabilitation

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife rehabilitation exists at the intersection of individual animal welfare and conservation. For individual animals, it provides life-saving medical care and the opportunity to return to the wild. However, the field faces enormous resource constraints, with most facilities operating on donations and volunteer labor. Not all animals can be rehabilitated for release, and the welfare implications of long-term captivity must be considered. When release is impossible, sanctuary placement that meets species-specific needs is preferable to euthanasia for healthy but unreleasable animals.

What You Can Do

Support your local wildlife rehabilitation center through donations and volunteering
Know who to call when you find injured wildlife — research your local rehabilitator's number
Reduce human-wildlife conflicts by securing garbage, keeping cats indoors, and using wildlife-safe lighting
Donate to national organizations that support wildlife rehabilitators
Advocate for government funding for wildlife rehabilitation services