Mission
The Center for Wildlife is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to rehabilitate sick and injured wild animals, and to promote respect for wildlife and the environment. We do this by: providing the full range of treatment services needed to rehabilitate birds, mammals and reptiles; assisting the public with issues relating to wildlife; and providing educational and outreach programs to promote knowledge and appreciation of wild animals and the habitats they depend on for survival.
Description
The Center for Wildlife, which opened its doors in 1986, is the only facility in southern Maine dedicated to the rehabilitation of wild animals. Over 1,500 animals are brought to the Center each year from communities throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Most of the animals are suffering from infection, illness or injury. The causes and types of injury vary widely; perhaps a great blue heron became entangled in fishing lures, a red-tailed hawk was shot or poisoned or a cottontail was injured by a cat. Whatever the illness or injury, the Center provides the full range of diagnostic, treatment and recovery activities needed to maximize each animal’s chance of returning to the wild.
The Center also provides educational and outreach programs to over 4,000 children and adults throughout the year. Volunteers are vital to all aspects of the Center’s operations, from animal care to fundraising.