Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida

Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida WRC provides a safe refuge & rehab for orphaned, sick, injured and displaced native Florida wildlife.

09/16/2026

Two baby squirrels, forty toys scattered across the enclosure, and somehow they're both losing their minds over the exact same grape. Every time.

It doesn't matter if you've got two fox squirrels, two grays, or one of each — put siblings together and they will beeline for whatever the other one has, ignoring the identical spare sitting three inches away. Baby squirrels don't seem to run on logic, they run on "that one is now the good one because my brother has it." Chubby cheeks stuffed, tiny hands shoving, tails puffed up like they're arguing over the last slice of pizza instead of a grape that's genetically identical to the one they dropped to start the fight.

Some things really do cross species lines: siblings, snacks, and the absolute refusal to let the other guy win

But They Said They Knew What They Were Doing…Someone finds a baby squirrel alone on the ground.They want to help. They p...
09/15/2026

But They Said They Knew What They Were Doing…

Someone finds a baby squirrel alone on the ground.

They want to help. They post online, and within minutes someone comments:

“I’ve raised squirrels before! I’ll take it.”

They seem experienced. They love animals. They promise they know exactly what to do, so the finder hands the baby over.

What they don’t know is that the person isn’t a permitted wildlife rehabilitator.
The baby is fed the wrong formula. It’s kept too warm. It isn’t weighed daily. Early signs of dehydration are missed. No one notices that it aspirated a tiny amount of formula during feeding.

At first, everything seems fine.

Then it isn’t.

By the time a permitted rehabilitator finally receives the squirrel, it’s severely dehydrated, underweight, and struggling to breathe.

Now the rehabilitator isn’t just treating an orphaned baby; they’re trying to undo days of well-intentioned mistakes, and sometimes, they can’t.

Loving wildlife does not make someone qualified to rehabilitate it.

Permitted wildlife rehabilitators have training, appropriate diets and supplies, species-specific knowledge, veterinary resources, and legal authorization to possess wildlife for rehabilitation.

When you find injured or orphaned wildlife, please don’t give the animal to the first person who says, “I can take it.”

Ask if they are permitted. Verify it.

Because when someone takes wildlife they aren’t qualified or permitted to care for, the animal is the one who pays the price.

Good intentions are not a substitute for proper wildlife rehabilitation.

09/15/2026

🦝 Know Your Vector Species

In Florida, certain wild animals are legally classified as "rabies vector species" — meaning they're more likely to carry and transmit rabies. Here, that includes raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, and otters.

This isn't about fear — it's about respect. These animals absolutely deserve care when they're sick, injured, or orphaned.

But because of the rabies risk, only licensed, vaccinated rehabbers like our team are legally permitted to handle them.

So if you find a raccoon kit, an injured fox, or a grounded bat — please don't attempt to handle it yourself. Contain it safely with a box (never bare hands) if you can do so without risk, and give us a call. We'll take it from there. 💛

09/12/2026

Darnell really said "I did not sign up for cardio" and yet here he is, absolutely committing to the bit. 🐀🎡

Darnell’s workout diary, entry #1:
Ran a solid 4 miles tonight. Went nowhere. Ate a grape as a reward. 10/10, would waddle again.

He's not fast. He's not graceful. But he IS the main character of this wheel, and honestly? We stan a commitment to fitness that peaks at "mild shuffle." 💤➡️🏃

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! 💚

09/11/2026

🐿️ Squirrel Friday!

There's nothing quite like the moment a rescue squirrel goes from formula-dependent to nibbling solid food on their own. One day they're eagerly chirping for the syringe, and the next they're sniffing at a piece of walnut like it's the most fascinating thing in the world — tiny paws turning it over, testing it out, figuring out this whole "eating like a squirrel" thing for the first time.

As rehabbers, this is one of our favorite milestones to witness. It means independence is on the horizon. It means all those early mornings, late-night feedings, and careful weight checks are paying off. Watching a baby who once fit in the palm of your hand start choosing food over the bottle is a quiet kind of magic — proof that they're getting stronger, more confident, and one big step closer to being wild and free again.

Every crunch of a nut, every dropped seed, every skeptical sniff is a tiny victory. 🌰

Here's to the messy, exciting, hopeful process of weaning — and to every rehabber who gets to celebrate these little wins. 💛

📦 Found an Animal? Here's How to Safely Contain ItWe always encourage the public to help when it's safe to do so — here'...
09/10/2026

📦 Found an Animal? Here's How to Safely Contain It
We always encourage the public to help when it's safe to do so — here's how to do it right:
✅ Use a box, laundry basket, or pet carrier — never your bare hands
✅ Gently place a towel over the animal before scooping, or cover the box after
✅ Poke a few air holes if using a lidded container
✅ Keep the animal in a quiet, dark, warm space away from pets and noise
✅ Add a heat source. This sock trick works well for most species
✅ Call us right away for next steps — 📞 (904) 779-5569
❌ Don't attempt to contain an animal that seems aggressive, disoriented, or is a bat (call us first!)
❌ Don't offer food or water — improper feeding can do real harm
Safe for you, safe for them. That's the goal. 💛

One of the things rehabbers hear often is "I don't know how you do it! I wouldn't be able to let them go."The public (yo...
09/09/2026

One of the things rehabbers hear often is "I don't know how you do it! I wouldn't be able to let them go."

The public (you amazing humans) only see a snippet of what we endure as rehabbers. There is blood, sweat, tears, ugly sobbing, laughing while sobbing, stomach churning events, we see things we can't un-see and we feel things we can't un-feel.

We get animals that are injured, sick, orphaned, broken, wounded, abused, scarred, fighting for their lives, clinging to life, losing their lives. We work with blood, urine, f***s, vomit, eye infections, abscesses, lacerations, and other gore.

But in the midst of it all, something beautiful happens.

The dependent orphans learn to eat on their own. The broken leg heals and allows for bearing weight. The eye infection clears up and vision is restored. The wound scabs over. The wing heals. The pain fades.

Then one day, the very animals that we poured our heart, soul, time, money, and energy into are loaded up. The kennels are opened...in that moment, everything we've worked for, everything YOU have supported, comes to fruition.

The bird walks then flies off. The skunk feels fresh grass under his paws and waddles away. The owl spreads his beautiful wings and takes flight. The mama opossum cautiously takes that first step into her second chance. The raccoon climbs the tallest tree.

And...

We walk away. We let go.

Yes, we cry. We worry.

None of it matters because they were never ours to begin with.

Original Author Unknown.

Photo is of a deer rescue, where the deer was sedated. His head is covered to help minimize light and noise while he is on his way to the vet to be treated.

09/08/2026

🦠 Public Safety First: What You Need to Know About Rabies (From Your Local Animal Rescue)

We love animals — it's why we do this work. But part of loving animals means keeping our community safe too. So let's talk rabies: what it is, and how you can protect yourself and your family while still helping animals in need.

📌 What it is: Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the brain and nervous system of mammals, including humans. It spreads through saliva — usually a bite, but also scratches or licks on broken skin. Once symptoms appear, it's almost always fatal. The good news: it's entirely preventable if you take the right precautions.

🐾 How to safely help an animal in need:

Contain without touching. If you find an injured or orphaned animal, use a box, laundry basket, or towel to gently cover or scoop it — never use bare hands. A towel over the top of a box works well for most small wildlife.

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! 💚

Bottom line: You can absolutely help — just let a barrier (box, towel, gloves) do the work your hands shouldn't. Contain safely, then call us. 💛



If you or someone you know has actually been bitten or scratched, please contact a healthcare provider or local health department directly rather than relying on a social post.

🛠️ Happy Labor Day! (September 7, 2026) 🛠️While most people are firing up the grill this weekend, our team of rescuers, ...
09/07/2026

🛠️ Happy Labor Day! (September 7, 2026) 🛠️

While most people are firing up the grill this weekend, our team of rescuers, rehabbers, and volunteers never really clocks out. 💛 Today, we’re celebrating the humans who show up — rain or shine, holiday or not — to give injured and orphaned wildlife a second chance.

From late-night owl rescues to early morning feedings for orphaned babies, this work doesn’t take a day off. So if you see one of our volunteers today, give them an extra thank-you — they’ve earned it.

🐾 A few Labor Day weekend reminders as you head out to celebrate:
• Heading to the lake or beach? Keep an eye out for wildlife nesting nearby and give them space.
• Grilling outdoors? Secure your trash so it doesn’t attract hungry critters looking for an easy meal.
• Fireworks or loud celebrations? Remember they can startle wild animals and pets alike — keep an eye on your furry friends.
Here’s to the workers — both human and the wild ones just trying to get through the day too. 🌞

💛 Tag a volunteer, rescuer, or animal lover you’re grateful for this Labor Day!

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. ‼️

🐢🦝 How We Choose Release Sites 🌳Ever wonder where our rehabbed wildlife actually goes when they leave our care? It’s not...
09/06/2026

🐢🦝 How We Choose Release Sites 🌳

Ever wonder where our rehabbed wildlife actually goes when they leave our care? It’s not random — every release site is carefully selected to give animals the best shot at thriving back in the wild.

Here’s what goes into it:

✅ Space to roam — We only release on properties of 40+ acres, giving animals plenty of room to establish territory without crowding into human spaces.

✅ Landowner permission — Every single release happens with the full knowledge and consent of the property owner. No exceptions.

✅ FWC guidelines — All releases follow Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission standards, including species-appropriate habitat matching and safe distance from the original rescue location when needed.

It’s not just about letting an animal go — it’s about setting them up to actually survive and thrive. That’s the whole point. 💚

Thank you to the generous landowners who make this part of our mission possible! 🙏

Address

5250 Porter Road Ext
Saint Augustine, FL
32095

Telephone

+19047795569

Website

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