Our Mission

Wildlife Rescue Center rehabilitates injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife and releases healthy animals to their natural habitat. Through educational outreach the Center provides environmental awareness, promotes a harmonious relationship with native wildlife, and encourages the community to protect our delicate ecosystems.

 

 

Who We Are

The Wildlife Rescue Center is a non-profit, professional wildlife rehabilitation facility. Since its humble beginning in 1979, WRC has treated more than 80,000 native wild patients. Today, over 3,000 patients each year are treated in our 9,000 square-foot facility and expansive outdoor enclosures. 

Nearly every creature passing through our doors is admitted due to an incident that is directly or indirectly human-caused. These include car strikes, attacks by domestic animals, and injuries accidentally or intentionally inflicted. Dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to repair and support healing while maintaining the wild integrity of each animal. Healthy animals with the necessary skills and abilities to thrive are returned to the wild. 

Our private property rests on 15 acres of beautiful, natural Missouri land adjacent to Castlewood State Park. The site hosts a variety of habitats including woodland, open grassland, a year-round creek, and a two-acre lake. Our neighbors include a little of everything, from belted kingfishers and little green herons to groundhogs and striped skunks. An exciting variety of uncommon wildlife has been spotted on the property including river otters, mink, and beaver. 

In 2002, the Wildlife Rescue Center expanded its educational programming, which now reaches thousands of children and adults annually. On-site presentations introduce audiences to the tremendous biodiversity around us and encourage respect for all wildlife and our delicate ecosystems. 

The Wildlife Rescue Center relies on volunteers who make up the majority of our workforce. Without their passion and dedication, the mission of the Wildlife Rescue Center could not be fulfilled. 

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