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About the Center

Mission Statement

The SPCA Wildlife Care Center’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife that has been harmed or displaced; to treat and place certain needy domestic, exotic and farm animals; and to educate the public toward coexistence with all animals.

About the Center

Bea Humphries, the Founder, began rescuing and caring for animals long before the Center’s incorporation, October 9, 1969. For 19 years she worked from her home. Her garage served as the first wildlife rehabilitation center. As the number of animal patients increased, Bea realized that a larger facility was needed. With some help she began to establish what would become the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. doing business as the Wild Bird Center. The Center grew and eventually moved to its current location. In the 1980’s the board of directors changed the name to the Wildlife Care Center to better describe the work at the Center.

The SPCA Wildlife Care Center serves the South Florida Tri-County region with rescue, rehabilitation and release services for our native wildlife at no cost to citizens. We admit approximately 14,000 injured, orphaned, abandoned or abused native wild animals or exotic domestic animals per year. We are open 365 days per year.

The Center has over 70 employees, 600 active volunteers, two full time ambulances and serves the entire South Florida Tri-County Region. Our 4 full time veterinarians treat injured, abused, orphaned and abandoned wildlife. Our four acre property houses anywhere from 400-900 animals at any given time in dozens of habitats and rehabilitation areas and our goal is to release those animals that have responded successfully to treatment back to the wild. We are completely funded by private donations.

Our state-of-the-art wildlife baby nursery admits up to 120 orphaned, abandoned or displaced baby animals per day during baby season. Once admitted, we hand feed and treat the animals in our nursery, which is fully staffed with trained rehabilitators and veterinary technicians. This is no small task given the destruction of natural habitats here in South Florida to make way for unprecedented land development. In turn, this has caused an undesirable intersection of human and wildlife populations.

Educating the Public

The SPCA Wildlife Care Center receives approximately 200 phone calls each day reporting injured wildlife and requesting information about animals and the environment. Trained staff informs the public about environmental concerns, wildlife problems, and ways in which people and wildlife can peacefully coexist. The Center regularly participates in public events with displays, exhibits and literature. Our Education Program reaches approximately 17,000 individuals each year.

Finding Homes for Abandoned Animals

In addition to treating injured wildlife, the Center assists certain domestic/exotic animals in finding just the right home. Because these animals were kept as pets and/or are not native to Florida, they cannot be released into the wild.

While we do not accept dogs or cats, we have an extensive adoption program that was developed to offer a second chance to a wide variety of surrendered/abandoned animals. Our goal is to find a life-long loving home for each hamster, rabbit, reptile, guinea pig, parakeet, exotic bird, farm animal and others who are cared for by the Center.