Wildlife In Need Center

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Wildlife In Need Center

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The Wildlife In Need Center: Connecting people and wildlife through rehabilitation, education, and research. (262) 965-3090
Address:
W349 S1480 S. Waterville Rd.

Oconomowoc, WI 53066 The Wildlife In Need Center is dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. WINC rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife and releases healthy animals back into their natural habitat. WINC also delivers educational programming to area elementary schools and to residents of all ages including scout groups, civic groups and senior citizens. The overall message of the programs is to encourage an understanding and appreciation of Wisconsin wildlife and to provide practical, real life applications on the best way for humans to interact with wildlife.

14/10/2026

On this we are asking for help building up our winter cache, like many wild species are right now. These caches help them through the winter when food is scarce and play a vital role in dispersing seeds when they are buried but not used.

For our cache we need more in shell nuts, for many of our rodent patients, and filters and UVB bulbs for our turtle patients who will be spending the winer with us. Lastly, we need more hydrogen peroxide cleaner, dish soap, laundry detergent and paper towels, to help keep our hospital clean.

These items help our patients on their journeys to recovery. We are so thankful for our supportive community!

Our Amazon Wishlist can be found at this link or link in bio:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1DORO61XYAICK?ref_=wl_share

13/10/2026

As the leaves begin to change colors and fall, please remeber fallen leaves are used by a variety of wildlife every year. They are home to many invertebrate species and provide vital nutrients to the soil once they decompose.

Some species, like this Eastern Tiger Salamander, live in burrows below the leaf litter. Others like Eastern Gray Squirrels and Virginia Opossums use the leaves to insulate their homes.

In order to help the wildlife in your area consider leaving the leaves in your yard. Wild birds also continue to eat the dried stems and seedheads from the flowers that grew in your yard this year.

12/10/2026

The 14th Annual Fine W**e & Dine Online Silent Auction is now open!

Browse and bid on incredible packages including hotel getaways, golf outings, theatre tickets, pet packages, Packer's gear, artwork, handcrafted items, dining experiences, and so so much more.

Every dollar raised helps provide food, medical care, and rehabilitation for wild animals in need.

Start bidding now: https://helpingwildlife.auctions.networkforgood.com/auctions/14th-annual-fwd

Bidding closes Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 PM CST.

**eAndDine

09/10/2026

On September 13, WINC admitted a Great Egret that was found disoriented on the road and walking in circles. She was critically emaciated when she was struck by a car and, as a result of the collision, suffered a fractured sternum. This was a concerning injury, as egrets are currently migrating and require strong flight capabilities for their journey south.

It took several days for her condition to stabilize and for her to begin eating on her own, but once she started feeling better, she enjoyed an endless (and expensive!) supply of live fish. With the help of aggressive rehydration therapy and anti-inflammatory medications, she was back on her feet after nearly a week. In her short time with us, her body weight increased by 42%, and her fracture healed well and became stable.

After just 16 days in care, her weight was healthy, her flight was strong, and she was ready to continue her journey south. However, due to her time in rehabilitation, she was behind schedule, very few egrets remained this far north. After confirming the location of the nearest flocks, we transported her to the Illinois border and released her into a flock of migrating egrets that had stopped to rest during their long journey.

We are so happy that she was able to heal quickly and join the migration just in time!

08/10/2026

As we prepare for Fine W**e & Dine, we'd like to recognize some of the generous sponsors helping bring this special evening to life.

Thank you to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for sponsoring at the Acorn & Aspen Level, and to Waukesha State Bank and Abby & Kent Lorenz for their support of Wisconsin native wildlife at the Jewel Level.

We are grateful for your partnership and commitment to helping wildlife receive the care they need!

05/10/2026

As many avian species migrate to their winter ranges, some individuals hit bumps along the way. Many of these birds, like this Magnolia Warbler come in as a result of window collisions. Window collisions commonly result in shoulder fractures and corneal injuries (damage to the outer layer of the eye which is not visible without a proper diagnostic evaluation).

In addition to their injuries, migrating patients have their own set of challenges. Due to the time sensitive nature of their migration, it is vital we work quickly to assess, treat, and release these patients in time to continue their journeys.

This Magnolia Warbler, suffered a shoulder fracture from the window collision. After the fracture had healed, he spent time in an aviary reconditioning his flight. Once he was ready, he was released to continue his migration.

Everyone can help migrating birds! To help them avoid window collisions, use window decals and keep unnecessary lights off at night. Many of these birds will stop at bird feeders along the way, so we ask that you clean your feeders weekly with a 10% bleach solution. Always rinse feeders thoroughly and allow them to dry completely prior to putting them back up.

03/10/2026

Our Online Silent Auction is just around the corner!

Our upcoming Fine W**e and Dine Online Silent Auction will be launching soon, featuring unique items, experiences, and other special opportunities to support Wisconsin wildlife.

Every bid helps provide lifesaving care for injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals while supporting our mission of rehabilitation and education

Keep an eye on our social media and email updates for the launch announcement!

Attendees at Fine W**e & Dine will also have the opportunity to preview auction items before online bidding closes.

Planning to attend? Purchase your Fine W**e & Dine tickets by Monday, October 5, for the best opportunity to preview auction items. Purchase tickets here: https://helpingwildlife.networkforgood.com/events/102863-14th-annual-fine-wine-and-dine

02/10/2026

This Eastern Gray Squirrel was admitted after he was hit by a car. When he arrived he was unstable and unresponsive. He had multiple abrasions on his body, lacerations on his mouth, and his head was extremely swollen.

We worked quickly to provide emergency stabilization. Luckily, he made it through the night and was standing, and alert the next morning.

Once his condition stabilized he still had to recover from a brain injury, causing neurologic issues, affecting his coordination and balance.

He responded well to treatment and made continuous progress. Then once he was ready, he was moved to an outdoor enclosure to regain strength and practice climbing before he was released back to the wild.

30/09/2026

This Red-bellied woodpecker was admitted as an orphaned fledgling. While it is normal for fledglings to be found on the ground as they continue to grow, and work toward being able to fly, this one needed help.

He spent a few weeks in our avian nursery before moving to a flight aviary. Then once he was old enough and had perfected his flying and foraging skills, he was released back to the wild.

26/09/2026

This Blanding’s Turtle was admitted after being found with a fishing hook lodged in her mouth. The hook was carefully removed under sedation, and after a few days of observation, the turtle was released back into the wild, where she belongs.

Many fishing hooks and lures are designed to look like fish, making them easy for wildlife to mistake for a meal. When ingested, they can cause serious injuries to the mouth, face, and digestive system. Wildlife can also become entangled in monofilament fishing line left attached to hooks and lures. This can leave wildlife trapped and unable to escape, often resulting in additional injuries as they struggle to free themselves.

Please dispose of fishing line, tackle, and other trash properly. If you see discarded fishing gear in the environment, please pick it up, even if it isn't yours. These small acts can make a huge difference for wildlife and help save lives.

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Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 16:00
Thursday	09:00 - 16:00
Friday	09:00 - 16:00
Saturday	09:00 - 16:00
Sunday	09:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+12629653090

Website

http://www.helpingwildlife.org/

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