Dane County Humane Society's Wildlife Center

12/04/2025

December 4th, 2025 is the 14th annual World Wildlife Conservation Day! This day was pledged by the US State Department to protect wildlife species and is a reminder to be aware of species that are endangered or under threat of extinction. It’s also a time to contemplate the issues that threaten wildlife biodiversity and is a call to action to protect those species from threats. Threats such as the destruction of their habitats, harm from invasive species, trafficking, the spread of disease, and so much more. Helping these native species benefits ecosystems for both wildlife and humans!

In Wisconsin, a few examples of species that are not yet endangered but with decreasing populations are the Common Grackle, Northern Leopard Frog, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Timber Rattlesnake, and Red-winged Blackbird. An example of a critically endangered species in our state is the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, which is only found in 13 US states and one Canadian province. Although honey bees get a lot of attention because of their importance in crop pollination, they are not a native species. Native bees, like the Rusty Patch Bumble Bee, are adapted to survive on native flowering plants and their habitat becomes smaller and fragmented as cities expand.

What can you do to help protect vulnerable species? Here are a few ideas:

- Inform others about endangered species, especially those in your area
- Plant native flowers to attract bees, butterflies, and other insect species
- Participate in local citizen science projects
- Support eco-friendly and sustainably-made products
- Volunteer at and/or donate to local wildlife rehabilitators
- Report illegal activities involving wildlife and natural habitats
- Stay informed about the natural and human-caused challenges facing wildlife

12/03/2025

This past week the Wildlife Center released 1 Eastern Gray Squirrel and 1 Big Brown Bat.

This week's squirrel came into care sad, dehydrated, and greasy. She had been stuck in a dumpster's drainage hole and could only be removed with lubricant—in this case, vegetable oil! She was given a thorough check-over but staff found all she needed were some fluids and a dawn dish soap bath.

This week's bat is an adult male that was found on the ground near a college campus apartment. Rescuers noted he was very feisty, but thankfully they were wearing proper protective equipment—thick gloves! It is always best to contain a bat without touching it at all, but if they must be handled for containment, the person should be wearing thick gloves (leather if possible). Despite being very energetic, staff noticed he did not have normal use of his left foot and he was a little hesitant to fly. A warm place to rest, food, and close observation did the trick for this bat and he eventually proved that he "can hang" (from his left leg) and could be released at a poppin' local hibernation spot. Hopefully next time he makes his way to campus to hang with the hip, young crowd it will go better for him.

We do not have any photos of these patients from their time in care, since they both had relatively short stays, but here are some photos of another Big Brown Bat and Eastern Gray Squirrel that have been rehabilitated.

12/03/2025

is coming to an end, and it has been an AWE-INSPIRING day for animals in need! Thank you to all who have donated to make a positive impact in the lives of animals.

You have ONE MORE CHANCE to make a BIG impact for animals in need at Dane County Humane Society and the Wildlife Center! Be sure to donate before midnight!

Donate now at https://donor.giveshelter.org/page/giving-tuesday-2025

12/02/2025

DOUBLE your impact this at https://donor.giveshelter.org/page/giving-tuesday-2025 to help us reach our goal of $140,000 and continue our lifesaving work for animals in need at the shelter and Wildlife Center!

In late June, a beautiful Bald Eagle was spotted in the backyard of someone's private property near Warner Park in Madison, WI. The bird was young, all brown with a little bit of white mottling in her feathers, and the homeowners had a suspicion that she fledged from a nearby nest-site. According to the finders, she could fly short distances but was unable to stay perched in a tree. She struggled to stand for more than a few moments and fell to the ground with every attempt she took to move upwards to safety.

After she arrived at the Wildlife Center, X-rays confirmed the eagle had suffered a pelvic fracture. It would take two full months of strict cage rest, pain medications, and good nutrition for this bird to recover.

Read this raptor’s full story at www.giveshelter.org/news/bald-eagle

Thanks to supporters like you, the Wildlife Center has been able to care for over 3,000 sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so far this year, including this Bald Eagle. Thank you for donating and helping us save Wisconsin wildlife!

We are grateful to our supporters who made this $70,000 Matching Gift Challenge possible: www.giveshelter.org/giving-tuesday

12/02/2025

It’s and today your generosity will have DOUBLE the impact to help wildlife at the Wildlife Center.

Give today at https://donor.giveshelter.org/page/giving-tuesday-2025 to help us reach our goal of $140,000 and continue our lifesaving work for animals in need!

Every year, hundreds of injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals arrive at DCHS’s Wildlife Center. Many of these patients—fox kits, songbirds, turtles, bats, and more—find themselves in need of help because of human activity. A window shade left open, mowing the lawn, or even the simple act of driving can cause encounters that lead to a need for emergency care for wildlife.

But what if we could make a difference *before* rehabilitation is ever needed?

Read the full story about our wildlife outreach and education programs at www.giveshelter.org/news/wildlife-outreach

Thank you to our supporters, who donated a record $70,000 for our Matching Gift Challenge! Learn more at www.giveshelter.org/giving-tuesday

12/01/2025

🌿 Meet the Patient Monday! 🌿

This weekly series highlights different patients currently or recently at Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center. Each week we share their rescue stories, recovery journey, and fun facts about the individual or their species!

This week we are highlighting two Eastern Tiger Salamanders we have in care for the winter. One was found in a parking garage, dehydrated and covered in dust. The other was found in a newly constructed home with skin irritation on its abdomen.

These two are housed separately despite being the same species because they were found at different locations. This prevents any potential disease transfer in care, and amphibian populations are sensitive to various fungal, bacterial, and viral illnesses. It is best to be cautious!

As we mentioned in our last meet the patient post, our herptile (reptile and amphibian) patients at this time will be staying with us over the course of winter, and these salamanders fall into that same category.

Eastern Tiger Salamanders in Wisconsin typically start their brumation for winter in September or October, and at the very latest in early to mid-November. Both of these salamanders were admitted in November, so it was too late for them to be placed back outside once they recovered. It’s likely they would not have had enough time to properly brumate, so with us they will stay until spring!

Eastern Tiger Salamander Fun Facts:
🦎They average 7-11 inches long, making it the largest land salamander in North America.
🦎They have a lifespan of 10-16 years.
🦎Adults eat worms, snails, insects, and some small vertebrates.
🦎 A female can create hundreds of eggs in one season, and divides these into a number of smaller clusters in different locations.

11/30/2025

11/29/2025

11/29/2025

With the Winter Storm Warning starting to impact the greater Madison area, the Wildlife Center is closing early. We will be open for public admissions by appointment of sick or injured wildlife until 12:00 pm.

To reach our Wildlife Center after hours, call 608-287-3235 and leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, and information regarding your situation, and we will get back to you tomorrow morning.

Please visit our website at giveshelter.org for more information on how to safely contain a wild animal or for overnight care instructions until the next available appointment can be made.

Dane County Humane Society's Main Shelter and Dane County Humane Society Thrift Store will also be closing early today by 3:00 pm.

11/29/2025

We’re kicking off our campaign with an incredible opportunity to double your impact for animals in need! Thanks to generous supporters, every gift made now through Tuesday will be matched up to $70,000, our largest match ever! Make your gift now and make twice the difference for the animals who need you most: https://donor.giveshelter.org/page/giving-tuesday-2025

Join us next week on December 2nd for , a global day of giving! We will share stories of rehabilitation and new beginnings made possible by YOU.

When a community member walked into DCHS’s Wildlife Center with a young turkey, we weren’t sure what had happened to her. The finder had come across the bird on the side of the road, soaked all the way through to the skin with her feathers covered in some kind of sticky substance, making her unidentifiable. The only thing our staff could tell on admission day was that she was a young hatchling turkey poult with injuries! She had wounds on the side of her body that suggested she might have been attacked by some kind of animal, but we couldn’t be certain.

Read Tilly’s full story at www.giveshelter.org/news/tilly

Thank you to our matching gift challengers: www.giveshelter.org/giving-tuesday