Wildlife In Need Center

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Wildlife In Need Center

The Wildlife In Need Center: Connecting people and wildlife through rehabilitation, education and research. (262) 965-3090
Address:
W349 S1480 S. Waterville Rd.

Oconomowoc, WI 53066 The Wildlife In Need Center is dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. WINC rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife and releases healthy animals back into their natural habitat. WINC also delivers educational programming to area elementary schools and to residents of all ages including scout groups, civic groups and senior citizens. The overall m

essage of the programs is to encourage an understanding and appreciation of Wisconsin wildlife and to provide practical, real life applications on the best way for humans to interact with wildlife.

02/07/2025

We have lots of orphaned opossum and squirrel patients growing up in our care and they are eating A LOT! For this we could really use more cat food for the baby opossums and whole nuts for the squirrels.
A link to our wishlist is listed below, but we would accept any unopened, non-prescription bags of cat food. Donations can be dropped off any day from 9am to 4pm.

Thank you all for your continued support. We are so grateful for our supportive community!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1DORO61XYAICK?ref_=wl_share

29/06/2025

Have you ever wondered how you can be a better neighbor in your local ecosystem, not just to your human neighbors, but your wild animal neighbors as well? At the Wildlife In Need Center, we encourage peaceful coexistence by providing free blueprints on our website for shelters that directly support local wildlife. From songbirds to squirrels, bats to raccoons, these easy-to-build houses help create safe spaces for animals right in your backyard.

Birdhouses are a wonderful way to attract and support species like bluebirds, wrens, and tree swallows. By placing birdhouses in your yard, you’re providing critical nesting spots these birds need, especially as natural habitats become scarce. In return, these birds naturally manage insect populations, keeping your garden healthier and adding beautiful songs and activity to your outdoor space.

Bats also greatly benefit from having dedicated shelters. Our bat house plans provide roosting spots that keep bats safe and comfortable. A single bat can consume thousands of mosquitoes every night, significantly reducing pesky insects without the need for harmful chemicals. Installing a bat house supports these amazing natural pest controllers and promotes a balanced backyard ecosystem.

Don’t forget our furry neighbors! Squirrels and raccoons often struggle to find suitable natural dens. Squirrel boxes imitate hollow tree cavities, giving squirrels safe and warm places to nest and stay out of your attic or garage. Similarly, raccoon nest boxes provide secure shelters, and at WINC, we’ve successfully used these boxes to help orphaned raccoons transition safely back into wild habitats, reducing potential human-wildlife conflicts.

Ready to make a positive difference for local wildlife? Visit the Wildlife In Need Center’s website today to download your free blueprints for birdhouses, bat houses, squirrel boxes, and raccoon shelters. Share your completed wildlife shelters with us and inspire others to join the movement toward harmonious coexistence. Together, let’s build safer, more welcoming communities for all our neighbors, both human and animal!

27/06/2025

🌿 It’s $5 Friday — and Today Your Gift Goes TWICE as Far! 🌿

This Friday, your $5 can do double the good! Thanks to a generous matching donation, every donation will be matched, meaning your $5 becomes $10, your $20 becomes $40, and your impact is doubled!

🐾 We’re currently caring for 350+ wildlife patients and have already admitted 1,306 animals this year. Our shelves are nearly empty after our Spring Baby Shower Drive — and we urgently need your help to restock essential supplies.

🧼 Here’s what we’re running low on:
• Laundry Detergent
• Hand Soap
• Paper Towels
• Nitrile Gloves

💚 What your donation can do:
• $5 = Disinfecting hand soap or a pack of paper towels
• $50 = 5 gallons of laundry detergent
• $100 = 11 boxes of gloves

Let’s keep our wildlife hospital clean and ready for every patient in need. Every dollar counts — and today, every dollar is doubled.

👉 Donate now:
https://helpingwildlife.networkforgood.com/projects/254533-5-friday-today-is-the-day-june-27

🦉 Thank you for being a hero for wildlife.

26/06/2025

Our avian nursery has been filling up with baby birds! These American Robins came in as nestlings and have been steadily growing over the last few weeks. They are currently spending time in one of our outdoor aviaries in preparation for release. Robins have broods containing 3-5 eggs and can have three or more broods each year!

25/06/2025

This Eastern Chipmunk was brought to WINC after she was hit by a car. On admission she was unresponsive. The force of the impact resulted in a brain injury, causing neurologic symptoms, including impaired balance and coordination. She also had broken two of her teeth. Over the last few weeks her neurologic symptoms have resolved, and her teeth have grown back in. She was recently moved to a larger set up with lots of natural bedding and hiding spots in preparation for her release.

24/06/2025

It is a busy time of year for turtles. We have already admitted a large number of them, most of which have been hit by cars. Vehicle collisions are the number one reason turtles are admitted to our center, but we also admit them due to various other reasons. This Western Painted Turtle was brought to us after she was found in someone's yard with a fishing hook stuck in her mouth.

Our staff provided her with pain medication and carefully removed the hook. Fortunately, the damage was not too severe and only took a short time to heal. Radiographs revealed she had 10 eggs in her! During her stay in our care, we helped to induce her so she could safely lay her eggs.

She was likely venturing out to lay her eggs when she was found, so we decided it would be best for her to lay her eggs safely in care before returning home. That way, she wouldn’t need to make the risky journey across busy roadways again. Luckily, she successfully laid all 10 eggs in a timely manner and was then released back out to the wild. Her eggs are now part of our turtle hatchling program and are well taken care of. Once hatched, they will be returned to mom’s home territory.

22/06/2025

Supporting wildlife can be as simple as making a toad abode in your garden. Toads offer tremendous benefits as natural pest controllers, consuming harmful insects like mosquitoes, slugs, and garden beetles nightly. Encouraging these amphibians to stay in your yard is a fun and easy conservation project for the entire family. Not only can you make your own toad abode, you can also purchase one online that is already garden ready!

Building a toad abode requires minimal materials! An overturned terra cotta flowerpot, partially buried to create a cozy shelter, is perfect. Alternatively, a pile of stones or logs can also provide a natural refuge. Select a shady, moist location near dense plants or a water source for ideal toad habitat. Including a shallow water dish nearby helps toads stay hydrated and encourages them to make your garden their permanent home. Remember, amphibians absorb water through their skin, so keeping your yard chemical-free is crucial. Avoid pesticides and herbicides that could harm these sensitive creatures, creating a safe environment for your amphibious friends.

Having resident toads in your yard reduces the need for chemical pest control. Toads actively hunt insects at night, significantly reducing garden pests naturally. Creating hiding spaces with leaf litter, mulch, or natural debris provides additional security and helps attract even more beneficial wildlife.

We’d love to see your backyard wildlife projects. Share photos of your toad abode setups and any amphibian visitors you discover! By providing shelter and habitat, you're directly contributing to wildlife conservation right at home. Let’s transform Wisconsin gardens into safe havens for these incredible, beneficial creatures.

21/06/2025

This Common Nighthawk was cold, emaciated, and unresponsive when she was admitted. We quickly responded by providing heat and emergency stabilization to revive and ultimately save the bird’s life. Over the next month she grew stronger and consistently gained weight. She was recently released at a healthy weight back to the wild.

20/06/2025

This little blondie female Virginia Opossum was recently released! We call her a "blondie" because she has uniquely blonder fur than we typically see. This beautiful girl was brought to us after she was attacked by a dog. She had wounds on her chest and had likely been shaken by the dog, causing some trauma to her respiratory system.

In addition to the injuries from the attack, she also had damage to her tail from frostbite and a broken tooth that required dental surgery for extraction. After several months in our care healing from all of this, she was finally ready to be released back into the wild. Stay safe out there, sweet girl!

15/06/2025

Have you noticed skunks, raccoons, opossums, or other local wildlife frequently visiting your yard? These native Wisconsin animals play important roles in our ecosystems, such as pest control and carrion cleanup. However, when wildlife becomes too comfortable around homes, conflicts can arise.

The first step to managing wildlife is prevention. Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, remove outdoor pet food at night, and regularly clean fallen birdseed or fruit from trees in your yard. Additionally, eliminate hiding spots by closing off areas beneath decks or sheds with durable wire mesh buried several inches underground. These simple measures reduce available food and shelter, making your property less attractive to wildlife.

If animals have already settled nearby, using gentle hazing techniques can encourage them to relocate humanely. Motion-activated lights, radios playing, or rags scented with strong vinegar or predator scents near den entrances can create an uncomfortable environment. Skunks, raccoons, and opossums naturally avoid bright lights, loud noises, and strong odors, prompting them to move elsewhere without harm.

It’s crucial to avoid using poisons or lethal traps, as these can harm unintended wildlife and pets which may have unintended consequences. Instead, use safe and effective deterrents supported by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
These humane methods protect both wildlife and local communities.

For additional guidance or to identify wildlife around your home, contact the Wildlife In Need Center in Oconomowoc, WI. Visit our website or reach out directly, we are here to help you coexist safely with Wisconsin’s wildlife.

14/06/2025

This Southern Flying Squirrel was admitted after he was caught by a cat in someone's basement. Upon admission, he was very weak and in pain. Initially, he wasn’t feeling well enough to eat on his own and he was hand fed to help him regain his strength. He was also given a course of antibiotics to treat the wounds from the cat attack, in addition to fluids and anti-inflammatory medication. He slowly began to feel better and started to eat on his own. Once fully recovered, he spent some time in an outdoor enclosure to recondition. We are happy to share that he was recently released!

13/06/2025

This beautiful Northern Flicker was recently released! She was admitted after being found on the ground unable to fly, likely after colliding into a window. Window collisions can be fatal for birds, and the ones that survive are usually injured.

This spunky female required plenty of time on “cage rest” to allow her shoulder fractures to heal, in addition to anti-inflammatories and pain medications to help her through the healing process.

Once she was healed, she was moved to an outdoor aviary where she spent some time restrengthening her flight. After about one month in our care, she was fully healed and flying strong once again. We are so happy she was able to pull through and be released back to her wild home!

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 16:00
Thursday	09:00 - 16:00
Friday	09:00 - 16:00
Saturday	09:00 - 16:00
Sunday	09:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+12629653090

Website

http://www.helpingwildlife.org/

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