Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida

10/18/2026

Happy National Opossum Day!!

While you sleep, the opossum is out there cleaning up snails, slugs, beetles, and fallen fruit. And "playing dead" isn't a trick. It's an involuntary shutdown, like fainting, that can last minutes to hours. Nobody is faking anything. 😮‍💨

More things worth knowing:
🐾 Babies are born after about 13 days of pregnancy, each the size of a honeybee
🐾 Their hind feet have opposable thumbs
🐾 They have natural resistance to many snake venoms
🐾 They have 50 teeth, the most of any North American land mammal

Happy National Opossum Day, October 18! Next time you spot one, give it space and let it go about its business. 🤍

10/15/2026

Thank you, Eagle Scouts! 🐢

This young man is an Eagle Scout, and his troop worked hard to build 17 turtle houses for our center. They'll be used to shelter our turtles from the sun and rain, and they're made from a durable, marine-grade material that will hold up for years.

The troop even customized each one with their troop number. Zoom in on the photo and you'll see it!

We are so proud to receive such an awesome gift from these amazing young people. Thank you for your hard work and generosity. 💚

10/11/2026

Meet Timothy. 🐿️💛

Timothy was found at Fernandina Beach, so emaciated that we truly didn't think he would make it. He barely had the strength to drink. We were worried, y'all.

But Timothy said "absolutely not, I have nuts to find" and he fought like a champ. We fought right alongside him, and look at him now: big shiny eyes, tiny toes, and enough sass to boss around his leopard-print hammock. 😎

In just a couple more weeks, Timothy will be heading off for rewilding to live (hopefully) a long and happy squirrel life. 🌳

Every tiny victory like this is why we do what we do. Thank you to everyone who cheers these little ones on. 💚

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! 💚

10/08/2026

🦝🦊🐿️ BRINGING AN ANIMAL OR DONATIONS TO WRC? PLEASE READ! 🐾

Whether you're bringing an injured or orphaned animal to our rescue center or generously dropping off donations, we want to make sure you know exactly where to go! ❤️

📍 The gate pictured is the designated entrance for scheduled animal drop-offs and donations. Please use this entrance when arriving at our facility.

🚨 IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

🐾 All animal drop-offs are by appointment ONLY. Please do not arrive at the center without first contacting us and receiving confirmation from a member of our team.

📞 Follow the instructions provided by our team. When arranging an animal drop-off, we will provide any additional information you need for a smooth arrival.

🚫 Please do not leave animals unattended at the gate or anywhere on the property. Every animal must be received by an authorized member of our rescue team.

Our volunteers work incredibly hard to care for the animals already in our facility while coordinating new arrivals and accepting much-needed donations. Following these guidelines helps us keep everyone safe and ensures our team can continue focusing on the animals who need us most.

Whether you're helping an animal in need or supporting our rescue through donations, we appreciate you being part of our mission! 💚

10/05/2026

A short stay, a big handoff 🦉

A beautiful young owl came into our care this week after a finder spotted him in their backyard and noticed he appeared injured. We took him in for observation, and after assessing him, we decided the best thing for him was specialized raptor care.

That's where our friends at Reconditioning Center in Apopka come in. Their team is trained and equipped to rehabilitate raptors, so we transported him to them right away. We're happy to share that he's in good hands and is expected to make a full recovery and return to the wild where he belongs.

We're grateful for our strong partnership with the Avian Reconditioning Center. Working together means every animal gets the right care from the right team. And a big thank you to the kind finder who stopped to help. 💚

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! 💚

10/04/2026

Three little faces, one very full nest box. 🐿️🐿️🐿️

Two are standing guard on the roof while the third peeks out the front door like "can I help you?" Fluffy tails, big eyes, zero chill.

Rehab babies in the making. Tiny, mighty, and ready to be wild again soon. 💚

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! 💚

10/02/2026

Thank You, From All of Us (Paws, Hooves, and Tails)

Our animals can't write thank-you notes, but if they could, they'd have plenty to say.

Darnell would thank you in bok choy. He arrived as a baby who wouldn't eat, and today he's a very enthusiastic fan of leafy greens. Hazel, our blind fawn, would thank you with the calm trust she shows when she's fed and safe. For animals like them, a donation means a full belly, a warm space, and a team ready to give them a second chance.

Your gift becomes formula for the babies, medicine for the injured, and vet care for animals who have no one else. It's what lets us say yes when a new animal needs help. Every dollar, big or small, makes the difference between "we'll try" and "we can."

So from the opossums, the fawns, and every animal who's passed through our doors: thank you. You're the reason they get another 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. ‼️

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.

To ensure respect through education and conservation, while providing orphaned, injured and displaced wildlife with a second chance at life.

09/27/2026

Please don't feed injured or contained wild animals — even out of kindness

When you find an injured or orphaned animal and it's safely contained, the instinct to offer food or water is completely understandable. But it can do more harm than good.

Here's why:

• The wrong food can cause serious digestive problems. A stressed, injured, or dehydrated animal's body may not be able to process food safely — even food that seems "natural" for that species.
• It can mask or worsen underlying issues. Internal injuries, shock, and dehydration often need to be addressed before any food is introduced. Feeding too soon can trigger complications that delay recovery or make treatment harder.
• Stress plus food is a bad mix. A wild animal in a box or carrier is already terrified. Handling it to feed or water it adds stress that can raise the risk of shock.
• Rehabbers need to know the timeline. If a rescued animal eats or drinks before arriving at a wildlife rehabilitator, it can change how vets assess the animal's condition and complicate care decisions.

What to do instead:

• Keep the animal warm, dark, and quiet in a secure container
• Handle it as little as possible
• Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or vet as soon as you can
• Let the professionals handle food, water, and medical care

Being well-meaning doesn't always mean being helpful — sometimes the kindest thing you can do is wait and let trained hands take it from there. 🦔🦌🐿️

09/24/2026

Today was one of the best days of the year. Some of our opossums and squirrels got the wild start they've been working toward, with open carrier doors, a forest floor and a buffet of banana, tomato and veggies to send them off.

Some were bold and marched straight out to eat. Some sat on top of their carriers and took it all in first. One squirrel popped up to peek over the edge like "...is this really happening?" It was.

Every one of these little ones came to us in need of help. Seeing them explore the woods on their own terms is why we do this. 💚

Thank you to everyone who fed, cleaned, transported, donated and cheered them on. Go be wild, you opossums and squirrels!

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! 💚

09/23/2026

Two more go home. 🌲🦝

After weeks of care, these two raccoons are strong, healthy, and ready for the wild again. From their first days in rehab to this moment — release day is what it's all about.

Watching them dash for the treeline, no hesitation, no looking back — that's the whole point. Wild animals belong wild.

Good luck out there, you two. 🐾

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! 💚