Empowering the community to engage in conservation and responsible stewardship of wildlife and habitat.
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801-814-7888 (Open 365 days/year)
Returns and Refunds policy: We do not currently sell merchandise online and we do not refund donations once they are made. If you have questions regarding refunds please email us at info@wrcnu.org--thank you.
Meet WRCNU!
Since we opened our doors in 2009, we have taken in thousands of sick, orphaned and injured wildlife (most due to human impact) and have given them a second chance for life in the wild. Through wildlife education we hope to minimize our impact. As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our amazing community.
We CANNOT do this without YOU--THANK YOU!
Come celebrate an informal leisurely family holiday "social" with warm drinks, holiday treats, Raptors on display and a DIY children's craft table (parental supervision required). Browse several Christmas gift baskets, take part in the raffle. Included is a 1-day only sale on all in stock WRCNU clothing items. Handmade unique WRCNU 2019 Collectible Ornaments--with a minimum tax deductible donation supporting the wildlife in our care--Admission is free
Saturday, December 7th from Noon to 5pm -- raffle ends at 5pm -- do not have to be there to win.
Go to the "Donate" tab for more information.
$5 becomes $10, $100 becomes $200, $1,000 becomes $2,000 ... ! (*)(**)
It’s hard to get the recognition as a true professional when you are a wildlife rehabber, but once someone has “tasted” the life of a rehabber, they will quickly realize the work involved and the experience, knowledge, and resources required to treat and care for the multitude of different patients and injures encountered.
Our Executive Director, DaLyn Marthaler, is also our Wildlife Specialist. Her vast knowledge of her specialty started out as a “labor of love” for the “sick and injured” and turned her drive for learning into a dedication to the WRCNU Mission that is found only in a true professional who performs at the top of their profession.
“Through wildlife rehabilitation and education,
we will empower the community to engage
in conservation and responsible stewardship
of wildlife and habitat.”
Wildlife Rehabilitation is not taking an injured bird or other animal, placing it in a cage with a bowl of seed/food and a dish of water and hoping for the best.
Every patient is different, every BIRD, is different. All wildlife dietary needs are specialized and so to recover properly, they must be given nutritious foods that are most like those they will consume in the wild—not hamburger, milk, cheese, bread, expired foods, etc.
WRCNU's single largest budget item is Animal Food: specialty foods: insects, fruits, vegetables, various "milk supplements", nuts,
frozen "whole animal" foods, fish, quality seed, etc.
First, you must determine the species; every animal has different needs; of the 465 bird species found in Utah, which ones eat seed? If they eat seed, what type of seed do they need? Alternatively, are they fish eaters, birds of prey, insectivores, etc.?
Next, you must figure out “the why” of the animal in your care. Why is it here? What is wrong with it? What is the best course of treatment to return this animal to the wild?
Once treated and presumably recovered, how do you determine when it can be released? Can it move freely like other members of its species? Fly and or run, without restriction or disability? Can it find food, hunt, and evade capture by predators. Where should it be released—dry desert, wetlands, high elevation, low meadow lands …?
Wildlife Rehabbers must have extensive knowledge of species identification, anatomy, dietary needs, medication, sutures, bandaging and splinting, interpretation of x-rays, diagnostics, fluid therapy, and neonatal care. They must be able to successfully treat a wide variety of animal injuries including broken bones, head trauma, poisonings, domestic animal attacks, lacerations, electrocutions, frostbite, oil, parasites, and a wide variety of diseases and other injuries.
Another unique requirement is knowledge of HOW to interact with these animals in a manner that will promote healing without creating stress (stress kills) or an animal that is now dependent on humans.
A rehabber must know how to treat a patient and ensure that it does not become imprinted on humans; that it will be truly wild and remain wary of humans and other animals (cats/dogs/predators) rather than wanting to approach them. Besides improper diet, this area of knowledge is the second biggest problem rehabbers face when inexperienced “rescuers” decide to take on the care and treatment of the animal they “saved”.
All of these areas of expertise are why Wildlife Rehabilitation requires that anyone treating wild animals must have federal permits for all native avian species and most often, states also require permits for all species of wildlife (avian and otherwise) within their boundaries.
WRCNU fulfills all state and federal regulatory requirements for management of all migratory bird species and Utah’s small mammals. WRCNU holds permits for Wildlife Rehabilitation as well as use of non-releasable “Ambassador Animals” for public education, including live eagle exhibition.
Wildlife rehabilitation, means working 365 days a year—unless you are a big enough organization to staff many shifts/workers; WRCNU is not there yet—that’s where public support/funding comes in; WRCNU is public donation funded, no state or federal support is provided for wildlife rehabilitation.
In the “off-season”, a rehabber will put in 6-8 hours a day to ensure the patients in their care are fed, medicated, and caging is cleaned. They remain open daily for those hundreds of off-season patients that show up late summer to early spring. During the “heavy season”, what we call “Baby Season” (April-September) a rehabber is likely to spend their days working 11-13 hrs a day—either season it is year round, weekends and holidays are always included in this schedule.
Wildlife Rehabilitation IS a true profession, with dedicated professionals often giving up their personal lives for a cause/mission that is bigger than they are—fixing what are often human impacted animals and educating the public in order to reduce those impacts.
CAN WE HAVE YOUR SUPPORT?
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Woodhouse's Scrub Jay (formerly "Western" Scrub Jay)
This program is run by people willing to give something that is so precious these days, time. What is the commitment required?
We do have community service opportunities available.
A huge challenge is just letting people know that we are here and that there is licensed professional help to assist with wildlife in need.
Like us on Facebook and get the up-to-date information on what is going on at the center then share it with your friends.
I donated two cars (1 Week apart). I just didn't have the time to deal with even the simple DIY repairs ('93 GMC, '00 Toyota). With titles in-hand I found the link to the donation site straight forward and simple. Submitted each vehicle on-line on a Sunday, I was called before noon on the next day (Monday) and vehicles were towed away on Monday evenings at my schedlued appointment times--Very Efficient
We'd love to add your comments here for others to see!
Unless you see blood, a broken limb, or the animal has been in your cat's or dog's mouth, PLEASE call us first. Often times what you are seeing is normal for young birds as they learn to use their wings. We do not want to remove healthy babies from their parents. Parents ALWAYS to it better.
Click on the "I Found a Baby Bird" flowchart to the left for a full-sized version you can read or print and if you still have questions, then please call us at 801-814-7888
Please be patient when you call as our lines are very busy during the summer months; keep trying until you get through and we will be happy to help you. THANK YOU!
There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line.
1490 Park Boulevard, Ogden, UT 84401, USA
Open today | 10:00 am – 05:00 pm |
Mailing Address:
3127 North Pelican Drive
Farr West, UT 84404 USA
Physical Address:
1490 Park Blvd
Ogden, UT 84401 USA
801-814-7888
Copyright © 2019 Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah - All Rights Reserved.