06/17/2026
⚠️Navigating Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Temporary Closures to New Intakes⚠️
Please be advised that due to exceptionally high admission rates this year, several licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers across Pennsylvania may be limiting or temporarily suspending intakes.
The decision to limit or suspend new patient intakes is never taken lightly and is dictated by each individual center's immediately available resources and ability to successfully care for their current patients. Please remember, wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Pennsylvania do not receive any state or federal funding in support of their operations, and many are independent non-profit entities that are operated primarily, if not entirely, by unpaid volunteers. Thus, resources, space, and funds are often quickly depleted and, when this occurs, wildlife rehabilitation facilities are forced to pause admissions in order to ensure that the animals already receiving treatments can continue to be provided the best possible care as they await release or permanent placement.
So, what should you do if your nearest wildlife rehabilitator is NOT accepting new intakes or certain species?🤔
🦉 First and foremost, we encourage you to visit the Pennsvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators' website at https://pawr.com and use our interactive map to locate and contact the next nearest facility.
🐿 If you have observed a wild animal in distress that requires capture, please reach out to Wildlife In Need PA for further direction and assistance, if needed, via WIN's hotline at 814-414-4224 between 8:00AM - 6:00PM EST. Please be advised, WIN is an entirely volunteer run service and, presently, is unable to transport already contained wildlife, except where no other option is available. WIN is also unable to capture deer over 30lbs., adult otters, bear, fishers, bobcats, or venomous snakes. Please contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission regarding concerns surrounding the aforementioned mammalian species and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for venomous snake intervention.
🦨 If you are unable to capture and transport a wild animal to the nearest wildlife rehabilitator, you can also report wildlife emergencies, wildlife violations, and sick, injured, or abandoned wild animals to the Pennsylvania Game Commission's centralized 24/7 dispatch center at 1-833-742-9453.
🐢 In the event of an immediate emergency, a licensed veterinarian may accept injured wildlife for emergency treatment without a permit, if the wildlife is not held for more than 48-hours before contacting the Commission or a wildlife rehabilitator (Pa. Code Title 58, Pt. III, Ch. 147, Subch. P - WILDLIFE REHABILITATION). But, wildlife must be transferred to a properly permitted rehabilitator as soon as specialized veterinarian care is not required. This period may be extended by the district Wildlife Conservation Officer if necessary for completion of the emergency treatment.
🐦 Please note the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators (PAWR) is NOT a wildlife rehabilitation facility and cannot immediately respond to, transport, or treat injured, ailing, or abandoned wildlife.
Want to help ensure wildlife rehabilitation facilities are able to remain open and operational year-round? Then please consider donating directly to these centers, volunteering your time or resources, hosting or supporting fundraisers, booking educational programs or appearances, or simply sharing calls for support across social media!
