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About the Wildlife In
Need Center
History in Brief
The Wildlife In Need Center was founded by Nancy Frank. The Center officially
opened its doors to the public in January 1994.
 The Center was initially located at 516 E. North Street near downtown Waukesha.
This first location was provided by former Board member and wildlife
rehabilitator Joyce Salzmann. The tiny one-bedroom house was used for the first
two years as Nancy’s office and as a wildlife hospital.
The first volunteer training class was held on November 13, 1994
with 27 people attending. Nancy Frank and Nan Calvert were the first
staff persons. Volunteers logged 477 hours in December 1993 getting
the facility ready for its opening.
A total of 18 animals were admitted in the first month, but by the
end of December, 837 animals had been admitted. In 1995 the number
admitted climbed to 1,250!
In the fall of
1995 WINC moved to its current site on Hwy C in the Town of Ottawa.
The new site offered a three-bedroom farmhouse on five acres, with a
pole barn, insulated garage, and two sheds, as well as the skeleton
of a 100 year old barn. In 1996 a total
of 1,702 animals of 117 species were admitted. The numbers continued
to grow with 2,028 admitted in 1997 of 127 different species. In
1997 the Center’s office was moved out of the farmhouse and into the
renovated garage.
Each year that
passes brings increasing numbers of injured, orphaned, and displaced
wildlife to the Center's doors. In 2006 over 3,000 animals were
admitted, breaking all prior records. As the demand for wildlife
rehabilitation and quality wildlife education in Southeastern
Wisconsin increase the Wildlife In Need Center is here to meet
the growing need!
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