WildNet - Wildlife Care Network

Wildlife Care Network

Why a rehabilitator network?

Wildlife rehabilitation is not funded on any federal or state level. Organizations such as US Fish & Wildlife and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission are regulatory agencies, but do not contribute towards the care of injured and orphaned wildlife. So most wildlife rehabilitation is performed by licensed individuals, at their own expense and with little to no assistance. During the busy seasons for various species, the demand for experienced caregivers is high and the workload literally exhausting.

Piedmont Wildlife Center has produced a network of caregivers to ensure prompt and quality care for wildlife, as well as maintaining a supportive system that distributes tasks as evenly as possible and provides the necessary resources to assist in the proper care of wildlife for the eventual release back into their natural habitat. We bring the extensive efforts of the rehabilitators and veterinarians to the public’s attention, and help to bridge the gap between concerned public wildlife supporters and the people who tackle the tough job of rehabilitation.

On our end, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are able to solicit help from the public where individuals cannot, and serve as a central focus for wildlife rehabilitation within the area. Donations of both funding and materials are then distributed throughout our network to areas of greatest need, without requiring further efforts from the rehabbers or vets.

How do the rehabilitators benefit?

Home wildlife rehabilitators gain numerous benefits from joing our network. Among them:

Essentially, rehabilitators within our network gain all of the benefits of being within a large organization, while retaining their independence. Medical assistance is routinely available, as well as overload support and new trainees.

Additionally, rehabilitators have access to an online database that simplifies their recordkeeping, if they desire, and also allows PWC to know when they are reaching capacity and thus assign more help or defer animals towards other rehabbers. Willing rehabbers with good recordkeeping can participate in granted studies that increase wildlife knowledge on a larger scale, and receive funding for their additional efforts.

And finally, PWC has the ability to show the public just what it is that wildlife rehabilitators do, sharing their rescue and success stories with the public and showcasing the efforts being made to protect wildlife in North Carolina. We have enough unsung heros around - it’s much better when people get to know of them. With a central focus point, people can find help for wildlife species, or rehabbers they want to contribute to, easier and with little to no effort from the rehabilitators, leaving them mostly free to provide animal care. By joining our network, rehabbers assume a higher profile and the mantle of a non-profit orgnanization without the commensurate board meetings, tax structure, and administrative trappings, and without taking their attention away from the animals, the primary goal.

How do veterinarians participate?

Veterinarians within our network, time permitting, will be available to help rehabilitators who need medical assistance.  Veterinarians in the network will gain valuable experience with non-domestic species. Veterinarians will provide necessary support to the rehabilitation process and, through cooperation with PWC, allow for medical services with no or reduced fees to the rehabilitators. As a non-profit, materials and supplies donated to PWC by veterinarians become tax-deductible and as the network develops we intend to obtain funding to support the activities of WildNet. This means that more animals receive higher quality attention and, by maintaining a broad network, they can receive it faster because veterinary help is closer at hand.

We also envision veterinarians participating in funded studies on innovative clinical approaches and epidemiology, contributing to the knowledge base of wildlife and illnesses in NC. And those that see an adequate number of wildlife species can obtain college intern assistance within their clinic, since students are eager for the clinical experience and frequently contact PWC to obtain it.

Veterinarians receive recognition for their efforts, becoming sponsors at all public events and receiving media attention for help with special cases. We also invite participating veterinarians to take advantage of the communications network of the organization.

How do I get involved?

If you are a rehabilitator and would like to join the network, or someone who would like to get started in rehabilitation (even just assisting,) download our rehab application here and send it to us at the address provided.

If you are a veterinarian with or without wildlife experience and would like to join the network, download our vet application here and send it to us at the address provided.

If you would like more information, call us at (919) 489-0900 or e-mail us at wildnet@piedmontwildlifecenter.org

And of course, we always accept support of all kinds, which will be distributed to areas of greatest need throughout the network. See our wish list for items that are needed for wildlife care and rehabilitation. Contact us first before dropping off, so we can be sure someone is available to meet you.

You can also write to us or send contributions to the address below, or use our online donation portal .

Together, we can coordinate and focus efforts for wildlife more efficiently, and share the information and resources for best effect. Join us today!

Piedmont Wildlife Center WildNet
364 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC  27707
wildnet@piedmontwildlifecenter.org