About Us

Wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and care of injured, diseased, or orphaned native wildlife, and the subsequent return of healthy viable animals to appropriate habitats in the wild. At the Wildlife In Need Center (WINC) we answer over 10,000 phone calls from people asking for advice or help with wildlife issues and admit approximately 3,000 animals annually. We also conduct educational programs in schools and for scout, church, and civic groups.

WINC is operated primarily by dedicated volunteers and a small professional staff, providing care 365 days a year. Our Animal Care team consists of fully licensed wildlife rehabilitators who follow Wisconsin, national, and international standards and ethical practices for wildlife rehabilitation.

We are also proud members of the Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council,  ensuring our work reflects the highest level of professional care and collaboration. (Learn more about our staff here.)

WINC receives no county, state, or federal funding. WINC operates entirely through fundraising efforts along with the generosity of passionate donors, but also from corporate foundations and private foundation grants.

Wildlife Rehabilitation

WINC accepts most species of Wisconsin wildlife from Waukesha, Washington, Jefferson, and Dodge counties,with the exception of Mustelids (Skunks, Weasels, Minks, Otters, Fishers, Martins, Wolverines, Fisher), White-Tailed Deer, Bats, Red Foxes, Bobcats, Lynxes, Wolves, Bears, and baby Coyotes and Red Foxes. If you are outside our service area or have wildlife we are unable to accept, please visit the DNR Wildlife Rehabilitator Directory to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

We annually treat up to 3,000 animals of over 140 species. Over 74,000 injured, sick or orphaned animals have passed through the Wildlife In Need Center’s doors since January 1, 1994. A majority of these animals were admitted because of interactions with humans.

Wildlife Education

WINC’s education department and volunteers currently provide on average 160 programs for classrooms, youth groups, civic, and community organizations annually. Through our educational animal ambassadors, coupled with other media presentations including Facebook and television appearances, WINC educates over 26,000 people each year. Our education programs share knowledge about the impact and positive influence we all can have on our wildlife neighbors. WINC is staffed and available to help every day, including weekends and most holidays. Our volunteers and staff answer thousands of wildlife questions over the telephone annually. When we aren’t available, we have a website full of useful resources as well as Facebook pages where we provide helpful wildlife information and regularly answer questions regarding our wild neighbors.

Participate

The Wildlife in Need Center works with volunteer, civic and business partners regularly. Scout groups complete projects to earn merits that also benefit the Center; local businesses invite our ambassadors out to celebrate special occasions; teenage volunteers are given the opportunity to work hands-on with animals through our Baby Bird Feeding Program; and area humane societies not only rely on us to provide care for wildlife brought into their facilities, but also invite our educational team to help present humane education programs to children and their supporters. Beyond these partnerships and special projects, over 100 volunteers of every age help to feed and care for our patients all year long. These volunteers helped us earn recognition as the volunteer organization of the year for Waukesha County in 2003.

The History of Rehabilitation

For centuries, well-meaning individuals have tried to care for injured or orphaned wildlife. The results were often unfortunate. Medical care that worked with humans did not always carry over to all animals. Diets did not correspond with what the animals would need and find in the wild. Orphans would not get the proper socialization with others of their kind. Many animals raised became imprinted on humans (identified with humans) or habituated to them. Rarely were these animals properly prepared to survive on their own in the wild. In time, success stories and techniques were shared among rehabilitators. Small rehabilitation centers started appearing in the United States and other countries.

Papers were published and workshops were held. In the last thirty years, this field has grown significantly. Organizations have been formed to facilitate communication between rehabilitators with the goal of increased success rates. Present day is an exciting time for the field of rehabilitation; universities are looking at developing curriculums designed to standardize learning in the field, large centers are gaining national recognition on a regular basis and with advanced technology and collaboration techniques available, the research being completed at centers like WINC will help to benefit more wildlife than ever before.

How to Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Rehabilitation in the state of Wisconsin requires a state license and, in the case of birds, a federal permit as well. To become a rehabilitator, you will need to gain experience, obtain a mentor and go through the certification process. This organization of the state program ensures that those helping our wild neighbors are giving the best care possible. If you are interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, please visit our What is a Wildlife Rehabilitator? page to learn more.