Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento

06/02/2026

Back in March, Christine and a few other generous donors helped us raise enough to purchase a professional, industrial-grade incubator. Since then, we've celebrated numerous successful hatchings, including this tiny House Sparrow that emerged just last night!

At hatch, House Sparrows are completely dependent on their parents (or in this case, our dedicated wildlife care team) for warmth, food, and protection. They may be tiny now, but these little birds grow incredibly fast, often doubling their weight in just a few days. Their eyes remain closed for about a week, and before long they'll be demanding meals from sunrise to sunset.

Every successful hatch is a reminder of the impact community support has on the wildlife in our care. Thank you to everyone who helped make this incubator possible. It's already giving so many little lives a chance to thrive. 🐣❤️

05/31/2026

Baby coyotes are all curiosity, chaos, and oversized ears 🐾

This little guy is currently in his “cute and goofy” phase…complete with big yawns and awkward playing. But make no mistake: coyotes are wild animals, and as he grows, those natural instincts will kick in fast.

Young coyotes are incredibly curious and intelligent, which helps them learn how to survive in the wild. Right now, that curiosity shows up as playful bouncing and investigating everything around him. Before long, he’ll become much more wary, independent, and appropriately wild.

For now though… we’ll enjoy the tiny yawns while they last. 💤

05/30/2026

Meet one of the strangest-looking babies in our care: an orphaned Pied-billed Grebe chick 🖤🤎

With their bold striped faces, fuzzy bodies, and almost prehistoric appearance, baby grebes look like tiny floating zebras. Those dramatic markings actually help camouflage them in the reeds while they ride on their parents’ backs in the wild.

This little one was especially excited about snack time.

Pied-billed Grebes are expert divers and spend most of their lives on the water, even carrying their babies around on their backs between feeding trips.

As always, Wildlife Care Association is open every day to help injured and orphaned wildlife.

05/29/2026

This baby raccoon is getting a snack and some TLC from one of our wildlife technicians during feeding time. Every orphaned baby that comes through our doors receives specialized care to help them grow strong enough to one day return to the wild.

And yes… the little cooing noises are just as adorable in person as they sound. 🥹

05/28/2026

Back where it belongs 🥹

This young California kingsnake came to us with a pr*****ed hemipene that had become damaged. Our wonderful wildlife veterinarian performed a minor surgical procedure to remove the affected tissue, and after recovering in care, this snake was healthy enough to return to the wild.

California kingsnakes are known for being incredibly docile snakes, and they play an important role in the ecosystem. They’re even resistant to rattlesnake venom and are known to prey on rattlesnakes!

Healthy, healed, and back home. 🤎

05/26/2026

Thank you for the video, ABC10!

At Wildlife Care Association, led by passionate director Sandra Foreman, staff and volunteers work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate animals.

05/26/2026

This little orphaned California quail is about a week old, still covered in soft down and learning how to navigate the world one tiny step at a time. Quail chicks are surprisingly independent from day one, able to walk and follow their parents shortly after hatching, but they still rely heavily on their family for warmth, safety, and guidance.

California quail are especially known for their close-knit family groups, often traveling together in coveys and helping watch over one another. It truly takes a village.

As you enjoy the holiday weekend, please remember that we’re here every day...including holidays...365 days a year for wildlife in need. If you come across an orphaned or injured wild animal, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Hoping everyone has had a safe and fun weekend!

05/22/2026

We’re raining raptors at WCA 🪶

These two tiny red-tailed hawk nestlings arrived as pure white fluffballs…looking more like fuzzy cotton puffs than future apex predators. Since this video was taken… four more have joined the nursery. Baby season really is in full swing.

About these baby red-tailed hawks:
🪶they hatch covered in soft white down to help keep them warm before their adult feathers grow in.
🪶their are open shortly after hatching, and they grow fast, nearly doubling in size in just days.
🪶their iconic red tail? They don’t get it until adulthood! Juvenile red-tails have brown, banded tails.
📣 They can be surprisingly vocal, using high-pitched calls to beg for food from their parents.

For now, they’re all fluff and awkward stares but one day, they’ll soar. 🥹

05/21/2026

Swipe to see the before…just a few weeks difference, can you believe it?

From tiny, fragile newborns (one to two days old, umbilical cords still attached and everything!) to fluffy, bright-eyed explorers (three to four weeks old!). ✨

California’s native Grey fox pups grow up fast. Their eyes typically open around 10–14 days old, and before long they’re wobbling out of the den, climbing, playing, and learning the skills they’ll need to survive in the wild.

Fun fox pup facts:
Grey foxes are one of the only canids in North America that can climb trees, thanks to their strong, hooked claws.
• Fox pups are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their parents.
• They communicate with squeaks, whines, and tiny barks (especially when they’re hungry).
• Their fluffy baby coats will gradually change as they grow into their beautiful adult coloring.

Watching these little ones transform never gets old. A constant reminder of how resilient wildlife can be. 💚

05/20/2026

No, it’s not a tiny old man… it’s a Western Screech Owl hatchling. 🤍

With their fluffy white down, wrinkly skin, and serious expressions, baby WESOs often look more like little crust, white dawgs than future stealthy nighttime hunters.

A few fun facts about Western Screech Owls:
✨ They may be small (about the size of a pint glass as adults), but they’re fierce predators, hunting insects, rodents, and even small birds.

Despite their name, they don’t actually “screech” their call is a soft series of haunting whistles and trills. Hatchlings are born with their eyes closed and completely dependent on their parents. Their fluffy white down helps keep them warm until their adult feathers grow in.
Right now, he may look like an old grandpa… but one day, he’ll grow into a silent, skilled nighttime hunter.