About Us

Because the ultimate goal of our patients is to be released back into the wild, we work diligently to minimize human imprinting. We want the animals to remain as wild as possible, to have a successful release. The licensing and permits for wildlife patients is different than the licensing and permits granted for education ambassadors. Education ambassadors are allowed to be on display, in efforts to educate the public about wildlife.

NWC staff will consider an animal’s individual case and make this determination at the time of release. In each case, it is important that we know where the animal was found and what the circumstances of the injury were at its time of admittance. Sometimes it is in their best interest to release back into their own territory.

It is illegal to possess wildlife unless you have a permit or are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Almost all native and migratory birds, mammals and reptiles are protected by specific state and federal laws put in place to protect wildlife and ensure that wild animals receive appropriate, adequate, species-specific care when they are sick, injured or orphaned. The ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to release an animal back to the wild.