Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida

06/06/2026

🦝🦦🦌 Every animal that comes through our doors has a story.

Some arrive orphaned, frightened, and hungry. Some are injured and in pain. Others have been displaced, trapped, attacked, or simply found themselves in situations they cannot survive without help.

What they all have in common is that they need a second chance.

One of our dedicated volunteers has generously taken the initiative to create a GoFundMe to help support the Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida and the hundreds of animals that come into our care each year.

The reality of wildlife rehabilitation is that every rescue comes with costs. Veterinary care, medications, specialized diets, housing, enrichment, transport, heating and cooling, medical supplies, and daily care all add up quickly. While the animals may only be with us for a short time, giving them the opportunity to heal and return to the wild requires an incredible amount of time, resources, and dedication.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on the generosity of our community. We simply could not do this work without the support of people who believe that every life matters, no matter how small.

If you've ever cheered for one of our releases, smiled at a baby raccoon photo, admired a recovering otter, or simply appreciate knowing that help is available when wildlife is in need, please consider making a donation. If donating isn't possible right now, sharing this fundraiser can be just as valuable. Every share helps us reach someone who may be able to help.

Behind every successful release is a team of volunteers, rehabilitators, veterinarians, fosters, and supporters who made that second chance possible.

Thank you for being part of that story. ❤️

The Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida {WRCNEF) is a non-prof… Carol Singstock needs your support for Support Wildlife Rescue in Northeast Florida

06/05/2026

💚 We Want to Hear From You! 💚

Many of you have followed our journey, supported our patients, shared our posts, donated supplies, transported animals, or simply cheered us on from the sidelines. Every bit of support means the world to us.

Today, we'd love to hear from YOU!

🐾 How did you first discover Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida?
🦝 What's your favorite wildlife species native to Florida?
🦊 Have you ever helped rescue or reunite a wild animal?
🐿️ Is there a wildlife topic you'd like us to post more about?

Drop your answers in the comments! We love hearing your stories, seeing your photos, and learning what interests our community most.

Wildlife rescue is truly a community effort, and we're grateful to have such an amazing group of supporters standing beside us. ❤️

Let's start a conversation below!
👇👇👇

06/04/2026

🚨 Please Stop Feeding Wildlife Babies 🚨

We know you mean well. We know it's hard to hear a baby animal crying or see one that looks hungry. Your instinct is to help, and we appreciate that.

But please, unless you are a trained wildlife rehabilitator, do not offer food or water.

If you find healthy-looking babies, contact a licensed rehabilitator first. Mom may still be caring for them, and a reunion may be possible.

If the animal is injured, cold, weak, crying continuously, or appears abandoned, place it in a warm, quiet container and contact a rehabilitator immediately. Do not attempt to feed it.

Every species has different nutritional and feeding needs. Many wildlife babies are not fed immediately upon arrival at a rehabilitation center because they must first be properly warmed and often rehydrated.

We can usually treat dehydration, injuries, and even starvation. What we often cannot fix is aspiration. When food or liquid enters a baby's lungs during improper feeding, it can lead to pneumonia, respiratory distress, and death.

Some of the most heartbreaking losses we experience are babies that arrived healthy but were accidentally aspirated by well-meaning people trying to help.

If you want to help wildlife, the best thing you can do is call a licensed rehabilitator and follow their guidance. Your call could save a life. ❤️

And if you're interested in learning more, consider volunteering with a wildlife rehabilitation organization. We can always use more helping hands!

You can apply directly through the link below or if you have questions, feel free to message us!

https://wildlifecoalition.com/volunteer/

06/03/2026

🦦 A special thank you to some incredible supporters who have helped make a difference for the otters currently in our care.

As our young otters continue to grow, they are reaching an exciting milestone—learning to hunt live fish. While this is a critical part of their rehabilitation and preparation for life in the wild, obtaining the quantity and variety of fish they need can be a challenge.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Melvin Dasher III and Holcomb Seafood in Hastings for helping us acquire fish for these growing babies. Their generosity and support help ensure our otters have the opportunity to develop the skills they will need to survive once released back into their natural habitat.

We would also like to thank Jonathan Howard, owner and founder of Otterspace, for the countless hours he has spent tube feeding otters and for sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with our team. His guidance has been invaluable in helping us provide the highest quality care to the otters entrusted to us.

Wildlife rehabilitation truly takes a village, and we are incredibly grateful for those who step up to support these animals behind the scenes.

As we continue to provide care for these otters and many other animals in our care, our need for fish, supplies, and financial support remains high. If you would like to help us continue providing specialized care for otters and other native wildlife, donations of any size make a meaningful difference. Every fish, every supply, and every dollar helps us give these animals the best possible chance at returning to the wild where they belong.

Thank you for helping us help wildlife. ❤️🦦

05/12/2026

It’s baby season for armadillos, and while they may look tough on the outside, their little ones are surprisingly delicate and dependent on mom.

🍼 One litter, all identical
Armadillos—specifically the Nine-banded armadillo—almost always give birth to four babies at once, and they are genetically identical (like natural quadruplets!).

🏡 Hidden and protected
Babies are born in underground burrows where they stay warm and safe. You may never see them unless something disrupts the den.

🌙 Mostly active at night
Mom is nocturnal and will leave the burrow to forage, returning to nurse and care for her babies. Seeing a baby alone briefly does not always mean it’s abandoned.

⚠️ When to be concerned
A baby armadillo may need help if:

It is out during the day, especially repeatedly
It appears injured, weak, or unresponsive
The burrow has been destroyed (construction, flooding, pets, etc.)

🚫 What NOT to do

Do not try to raise or keep them
Do not feed them (they have very specific dietary needs)
Avoid direct handling when possible

📞 When in doubt, reach out
If you find a baby armadillo and aren’t sure what to do, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator right away. Early intervention can make all the difference.

You can reach us at 904-779-5569 and leave a message. We check messages hourly, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week! 💚

‼️ Remember, none of our animals are pets and it is illegal in Florida to own wildlife without proper permitting. ‼️

Donations are what keep us able to care for wildlife!

💚 Send donations through PayPal at this link: https://wildlifecoalition.com/donate-to-wildlife/

💚 We now accept 💰Zelle💰donations! Send to 904-779-5569 to help us to be able to continue care for these wild babies. Add your name in the notes so we can thank you!

💚 Check out our Amazon wishlist! 🎁 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1BR7G06Z9IEH9

💚 Donate food through Chewy! 🐾
https://tinyurl.com/8da6u2cb

***A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free 800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

05/10/2026

💗 Happy Mother’s Day to One of Nature’s Most Devoted Moms

Opossum moms have one of the most incredible parenting journeys in the wild:

👶 Tiny beginnings
Babies are born no bigger than a jellybean and must crawl into mom’s pouch completely on their own.

🧺 Built-in nursery
They continue developing safely inside her pouch, nursing and growing stronger.

🐾 Carrying the load—literally
Once they outgrow the pouch, babies ride on mom’s back wherever she goes. It’s not uncommon to see a mother carrying a whole “busload” of babies!

💪 Quiet strength
Opossum moms raise their young alone, protecting and providing for them every step of the way.

💡 If you see babies riding on mom’s back—that’s exactly where they’re supposed to be.
If a baby is found alone on the ground and is very small (under ~7 inches excluding the tail), it will need help.

Today, we honor the resilience, dedication, and strength of wildlife mothers—especially those who often go unnoticed.

💗 Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there—human and wild alike.

05/09/2026

We recently took in a raccoon that had been left in a trap—something we unfortunately see from time to time.

We are happy to report the trap was successfully removed and the raccoon was released but not all cases we take in have happy endings such as this one.

If you are using traps in Florida, it is your responsibility to follow state and local regulations.

⏱️ 24 hours is the absolute maximum
Under Florida law, a trapped animal must not be left in a trap longer than 24 hours. This is not optional—it is the legal limit.

📍 Check your local regulations
Some areas may have stricter requirements, including:

More frequent trap checks
Restrictions on certain trap types
Rules specific to certain species

Always confirm both state and local guidelines before setting any trap.

🚫 Leaving animals for days is not just harmful—it’s illegal
Animals left in traps without food, water, or protection from the elements can suffer from:

Heat exposure and dehydration
Severe stress and injury
Death

This can result in animal cruelty charges and legal consequences.

💡 If you set a trap, you are responsible for what happens next
That means:

Checking traps at least every 24 hours (ideally more often)
Providing shade and protection from weather
Having a plan for safe, legal next steps

If you encounter a trapped wild animal and are unsure what to do, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

📩 We are always here to help guide you.

If you need animal help, call us at 904-779-5569 and leave a message. We check messages hourly, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week! 💚

‼️ Remember, none of our animals are pets and it is illegal in Florida to own wildlife without proper permitting. ‼️

05/08/2026

🦝 It’s Raccoon Baby Season!

Spring and early summer mean baby raccoons are everywhere—and while it can be concerning to find them alone, mom is often nearby and still caring for them.

If you come across baby raccoons:

✔️ Try to reunite first.
Place the babies in a shallow box or container lined with a soft towel.

✔️ Keep them safe but accessible.
Set the container as close as possible to where they were found, in a quiet, sheltered spot. This keeps them from wandering off while still allowing mom to find and retrieve them.

✔️ Give mom time.
Observe from a distance. Mother raccoons will often return after dark to move their babies to a new den.

⚠️ If mom does NOT return overnight:
Carefully contain the babies and reach out to us as soon as possible so we can help guide next steps.

💡 Remember:
Raccoons are attentive mothers, and reuniting babies with mom gives them the best chance at survival.

📩 If you’re unsure what to do, don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re here to help!

Call us at 904-779-5569 and leave a message. We check messages hourly, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week! 💚

‼️ Remember, none of our animals are pets, and it is illegal in Florida to own wildlife without proper permitting. ‼️

Donations are what keep us able to care for wildlife!

💚 Send donations through PayPal at this link: https://wildlifecoalition.com/donate-to-wildlife/

💚 We now accept 💰Zelle💰donations! Send to 904-779-5569 to help us to be able to continue care for these wild babies. Add your name in the notes so we can thank you!

💚 Check out our Amazon wishlist! 🎁 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1BR7G06Z9IEH9

💚 Donate food through Chewy! 🐾
https://tinyurl.com/8da6u2cb

***A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free 800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

04/21/2026

04/21/2026

🌿 Volunteer Appreciation Month: Transport Team Spotlight 🌿

Today, we’re recognizing the volunteers who quite literally go the distance—our transport team. 💚

When an animal needs help, getting them to a licensed rehabilitator quickly and safely can make all the difference. That’s where our transport volunteers step in.

Whether it’s a short drive across town or coordinating longer-distance transfers, they ensure animals make it from where they’re found to where they can receive the care they need. Many of these transports happen on short notice, during busy schedules, or outside of typical hours—yet they still show up.

This role requires flexibility, reliability, and a deep commitment to helping wildlife, often behind the scenes and without recognition.

They are the bridge between rescue and rehabilitation.

Without transport, so many animals would never make it to care in time.

To our transport team: thank you for your time, your dedication, and every mile you travel to give wildlife a second chance.

And to our supporters—every successful rescue journey starts with someone willing to step up and make the drive. 💚