CAPE COD

WILD CARE's mission is to treat injured, ill and orphaned native wildlife, for release back into the wild capable of independent survival, to prevent wildlife casualties through public education and live counseling, and to engage the community in conservation through volunteerism.

Since our founding WILD CARE has accepted over 17,000 wild creatures, representing 275 species of native birds, mammals, and reptiles. On average WILD CARE receives 800 to 1,400 wild animals per year for treatment.

Of those admitted we can document that 35% to 50% are admitted due to injuries and problems caused directly by humans. They range from pollution and habitat loss to ignorance and carelessness.

• A young male Red-Tailed Hawk covered in asphalt,
• A pair of screech owls from a clear-cut lot,
• Stolen duck and turtle eggs from a Yarmouth bog,
• A Loon tangled in discarded fishing line,

These are just a few examples of our typical patients brought to us for care.

Most importantly WILD CARE has positively impacted the lives of many more wildlings through our counseling, educational efforts, and outreach into the community.

WILD CARE does not charge the public for our services to wildlife.

We accept wildlife regardless of a rescuer’s ability to make a donation and we never compromise quality of care or the dignity of an animal’s life for fundraising purposes.

WILD CARE seeks out the best specialists - whether it is founder Karen Von den Deale’s expertise in turtle rehabilitation, Dr. Burns’ talent in endoscopic surgery, or Tufts Wildlife Clinic’s investigations into why our coastal birds are stranding. WILD CARE engages the community in saving wildlife.
We include kids in our mission wherever we can, solicit in-kind support from local businesses, and place a priority on answering our hotline with a live rehabilitator, rather than a machine.