Wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and care of injured, diseased, or orphaned indigenous 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.
The Center is run primarily by volunteers and a very small staff, operating 365 days a year. 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.
Rehabilitate
WINC admits Wisconsin wildlife, annually treating up to 3,000 animals of over 140 species. Over 51,000 injured, sick or orphaned animals have passed through the Wildlife in Need Center’s doors since January 1, 1994. 85% of these animals were admitted because of interactions with humans.
Educate
WINC’s education department and volunteers currently provide on average 130 programs for classrooms, youth groups, civic, and community organizations annually. Through our sixteen 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 and Twitter pages where we provide helpful wildlife information and regularly answer questions regarding our wild neighbors.
