Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
A quiet facility dedicated to the care of injured wild animals.
Thank you for taking the time to help a wild animal in need!
Urban growth and development have created warm, comfortable housing (such as under decks and against spas) and an abundance of food (pet food and garbage cans). Many wild animals have adapted quite well to this urban environment, and some have even managed to flourish.The staff and volunteers at the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will do all we can to provide specialized care, treatment, and services to the animals received at our facility. Our permitted, licensed, and trained Wildlife Rehabilitation Center staff will determine one of the following outcomes for animals received:
To check on the status of animals brought to our wildlife rehabilitation center, please email: wildlifeinfo@whatcomhumane.org. Please provide as much information about the animal as possible (date brought to the wildlife center, species, location found). Note: Due to limited resources and staffing levels it may take several days to receive a response.
I Found a wild Animal
Remember, wildlife becomes highly stressed from human contact and capture. To minimize stress:
Contact us if you have found an injured wild animal and need help (360) 966-8845.
Bats
If you find a bat on the ground do not touch it! Bats in Washington…
Deer
Fawns Mother deer leave their fawns alone for large portions of the day…
Opossums
Adult opossums are not typically aggressive…
Rabbits
Baby Rabbits If you find healthy bunnies that are 4-5 inches long, able to hop…
Racoons
Raccoons are very aggressive animals and should not be handled by the…
Skunks
Skunks are very aggressive animals and should not be handled by…
Squirrels
Baby Squirrels If the baby appears uninjured and is warm to the touch…
Birds
Baby or Fledgling Birds Contrary to popular myth, touching…
I found a live/deceased marine mammal
The Whatcom Humane Society Marine Mammal Stranding Network responds to the following regions: Whatcom County (including Point Roberts and Lummi Island), Samish, Eliza Island, Sinclair Island, Vendovi Island, Cypress Island, and Guemes Island. To report a marine mammal stranding, please contact 360-966-8845 or marinemammals@whatcomhumanesociety.org.
To report marine mammals in other regions of Washington, Oregon, and California, please call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline number at 866-767-6114.
In the summer of 2024, the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center expanded to assume responsibility of the county's marine mammal stranding network after the previous organization was dissolved. Now renamed the Whatcom Humane Society Marine Mammal Stranding Network, our new responsibilities authorize us to respond to all live and deceased marine mammals in Whatcom County. By collecting data and samples from these animals, we help inform researchers at NOAA and fellow marine mammal centers of diseases, illegal human interaction cases, and wild population numbers. Furthermore, our rehabilitation center plays a vital role as a permitted triage center for harbor seal pups that have been injured or orphaned. While harbor seals are our most common marine mammal patient, we also occasionally receive calls regarding harbor porpoises, California sea lions, and Steller sea lions!
Marine mammals are highly protected and regulated federally. Do not go near any of these animals on the beach. It is against federal law to disturb them, touch them, or collect any parts of a deceased marine mammal. Like other wildlife, these animals do not always need our help, and in approaching them, we can do more harm than good. Seals often come ashore to rest, regulate their body temperature, and nurse their young. Mothers may leave pups behind if there is a disturbance on shore and may not return if humans or pets are too close to the pup. Also, remember that live and dead marine mammals can spread diseases to humans and pets, so keep kids close and dogs on leashes when visiting the beach, especially during the summer when it is harbor seal pupping season.
If you see a marine mammal you believe to be in distress or deceased, please keep your distance—federal law and NOAA mandate at least 100 yards away—and call our stranding hotline at 360-966-8845.
Don’t Keep Wildlife unless you are licensed
Many state and federal laws prohibit the keeping of wildlife unless you are licensed to do so. Wildlife Rehabilitators are trained to care for many types of wildlife, know the natural history of wildlife, work with veterinarians, and have received the proper permits. They can provide the most appropriate foods, socialization, and medical care to help return the animal back to the wild. Many internet tips on what to feed wildlife are incorrect and can lead to the animal’s death.
Not All Wildlife Need Our Help.
Coexisting With Wildlife
We share our region with a spectacular variety of animals. Check out these videos created by WRC staff to learn important information about how you can protect and help different types of wildlife.
BACKYARD CONSERVANCY
Wildlife is in your yard too!
While many of us may not realize it, a property owner is also a habitat manager. Over 35,000 acres of wildlife habitat are converted to housing and other development each year in Washington. If we continue at this rate, many of our native wildlife species will have few places to live and visit. The things we do, or do not do, in the vicinity of our home have an effect on the quality of habitat for dozens of wildlife species.
Bloat, diarrhea, emaciation, dehydration, weight loss, and hypothermia are sadly just a few of the things that can happen to native wildlife after being fed the wrong diet by humans.
The Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center cares for countless orphaned wildlife of all species that have been fed by well–meaning members of the public. This may seem like the right thing to do, after all these are babies that no longer have a mom and need nutrients right away—or so “the internet says.” In reality, orphan wildlife requires such specialized care, and more often than not, feeding is the last thing that licensed wildlife rehabilitators will do when receiving an animal in need.
If an animal is truly orphaned, it is generally suffering from dehydration, emaciation/starvation, and hypothermia. Feeding an orphan who is showing these signs can cause further damage as they are using all of their energy reserves to stay alive, let alone digest food. This goes for adult wildlife as well. They simply cannot process whole food when suffering from conditions such as emaciation. When an animal has gone without food and water for long periods of time and they are fed commercially bought formulas/food, or worse yet, human food, they go through what is called re-feeding syndrome. The body spends so much energy trying to break down nutrients and digest what is given when it should be focusing on staying warm and alert. The worst thing that humans can do for an animal in this state is provide an incorrect diet.
Wildlife rehabilitation exists so that these animals can have a second chance at living in their native wild habitat. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are trained to be able to diagnose common symptoms that go along with animals becoming orphan or starved. Treatment often includes a stabilization process of heat and fluids before any feedings are done, and sometimes this process takes days. Wildlife rehabilitators are also able to order or make formulas and feeding supplements that are designed for each specific species of animal. For example, feeding an orphaned cottontail rabbit kitten formula is one of the worst things we can do. The formula is not designed for these small mammals and will cause bloat, diarrhea, weight loss, and ultimately can lead to the death of the animal. Wildlife benefit from being fed a diet that is formulated for their specific needs and gastro-intestinal functions.
Every year, the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center encounters well-meaning citizens who bring the center orphaned wildlife that they have been feeding for several days. The reason that these animals finally make it to our facility is because they have become lethargic. By the time that we are able to start treatment, they are often too far gone and have sustained severe injury to their organs and are not able to pull through. They are emaciated, dehydrated, and lifeless. This is most often avoidable if the animal is brought to the WHS wildlife center for care right away. Sadly, many residents explain to our center staff that they just wanted the experience of caring for a wild animal, they wanted to domesticate the animal and make it a pet, or they love wild animals so much that they just wanted to do something to help.
One year, our center received a juvenile red–tailed hawk that was found by a citizen who fed the bird chicken breast and coca cola for several days. By the time the hawk was brought to the wildlife center, he had suffered severe crop stasis, a very painful condition with a poor outcome. He was so dehydrated and emaciated, that even with heroic efforts on behalf of our wildlife center staff, the beautiful bird died a painful death.
The WHS Wildlife rehabilitation Center also receives many calls from citizens who have found animals and insist on keeping them in their home because “they know what works.” It is important to recognize that in Washington State, it is illegal to keep native wildlife. Orphaned and injured native wildlife must be transferred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center.
The same problems associated with feeding orphaned baby wildlife also apply to adult animals. One of the most common issues the WHS wildlife center treats is the case of angel wing, a severe deformation of flight feathers in birds when they are fed bread. Emaciation and bloat are commonly found when deer are fed commercial grains or bread. Hair loss, juvenile cataracts, and delayed development occurs when raccoons are fed nothing but bird seed.
One of the biggest issues that occur in Whatcom County with regard to inappropriate human interaction/feeding of wildlife is the feeding of deer. Deer do very well on their own without any human interaction, especially food. Most of the food that the public can purchase for deer is commercial and not easily digestible for a wild animal. Deer are ruminants and have very special needs and digestion. Foods like grains, breads, and bird seed are inadequate for the long term health of deer. When food like this is provided to deer, they will eat it as it is an easy and tasty meal (like donuts to humans) but they will not get the nutrients that they need. Then they become thin, dehydrated, have diarrhea, and can bloat.
When deer get so used to easy food sources that they can become habituated and lose their fear of humans, this poses a threat to humans, domestic animals, and deer, especially as rut season approaches. A deer that is not afraid of people is a deer that is not truly “wild”. The WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center sees a spike in malnutrition cases of deer in winter months when commercial feeds are at their highest distribution by the public. Deer are equipped to be able to find food sources like lichen and bark during cold weather and are able to digest these types of food. This food is what their bodies expect, not grains and fruits. Deer who consume large quantities of commercial foods in the winter are at risk of literally starving, as they are not able to process the food and become weak. In the summer, deer are designed to eat all of the browse and new foliage that grows in abundance in the community. If they are nursing fawns, they are eating a rich diet to provide enough milk.
Feeding deer and creating a “bond” with the animal can not only harm the animal from a nutritional standpoint, but also endangers the animals as they lose their fear of people. The majority of deer received by the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center that are the victims of car accidents are deer that are in fact, too used to humans and have lost their ability to sense danger. Many deer attack dogs or other domestic animals because they have become habituated to their surroundings and lost their fear of humans. It is a vicious cycle and one that is truly harmful for this species. So in a nutshell: Please do not feed the deer!
To contact the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, please call (360) 966-8845.
To feed or not to feed?
It is common for people to want to feed wildlife, especially during the winter months. While this may seem helpful, it usually does more harm than good. Before you put food out for the wild animals around your home, please be sure you have all the information. Here are some useful links:
Tree trimming in the Spring and Summer can destroy wild animal nests. Baby squirrels and baby birds are likely to lose their home and nest when you start up the chainsaw during this time of year. The best time for tree trimming is October through February. Additionally, power-washing your home, garage, or shed may also destroy bird nests. Swallows and sparrows love to nest on the sides of buildings or near gutters. Please consider power-washing your home or shed between October and February to avoid unnecessary orphans.
Not everyone wants to feed the birds, especially when they eat your garden veggies! Here’s some tips on how to safely keep birds away from the places they shouldn’t be.
Remember, in Spring, Summer, and Fall there may be babies. Make sure mom can get to them to move them and be patient, as it might take some time to relocate all the babies.
Remember, in Spring and Summer there may be raccoon and skunk babies. Make sure mom can get to them to move them and be patient, as it might take some time to relocate all the babies.
Many wild animals present a danger to our pets. As humans are increasingly encroaching upon wild animals’ natural habitats, wildlife has become more adapted to living in populated areas. Because of this, wild animals, especially predators, come into contact with domestic animals more frequently. There are a number of things you can do to protect your pets from harm by wild animals:
If you have any questions about coexisting with your wild neighbors, please call us at 360-966-8845.
The WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is not licensed to perform nuisance removal. If this is a service you are interested in, you will need to call a licensed wildlife trapper. Feel free to call our center for a referral (360-966-8845).
Helpful Tip: Household ammonia is a very safe and effective tool for keeping critters away. Soak rags in ammonia and place them around the edges of your yard or garden, under your deck, porch, crawl space or wherever animals have been giving you trouble. Refresh the ammonia every few days until you are sure the animals have moved onto a less fragrant dwelling.
If you have concerns about large carnivores on or around your property, please contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Interested in Volunteering?
We are now recruiting volunteers for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center! There are a few steps one needs to take before becoming a wildlife volunteer, like making sure you are able to make the commitment, but if you would like to learn more, click the button below.
Internships
The Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is offering Wildlife Care Internship positions between March 1st and October 31st of each year. These are unpaid internships, although housing may be provided.
The start dates of each position are staggered so that full coverage is provided for wildlife care during our busiest time of the year. There will be some overlap between each position. Students may earn college credit through the completion of an internship.
Interns will be involved in all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation from admission to release. This includes: basic rehabilitation skills, cage cleaning, food preparation, animal handling, and daily cleaning and sanitation of the center. Candidates will earn valuable hands-on experience in working with wildlife.
Ideal candidates will be mature, honest, enthusiastic to learn, have a good work ethic and a strong desire to work with animals and people. They must be at least 18 years old. Interns could be college students, graduates, veterinary assistants, vet technicians, or someone else who really wants to learn about wildlife care.
No experience is required, but candidates should be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Wildlife Care Internships are very physically demanding. It is important that all applicants are in good physical condition and able to bend, squat, and be on their feet for long periods of time.
Internships will last for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks between March–October. The start date of each internship may be staggered to ensure proper patient care can be achieved. There will be multiple interns working at the center at the same time.
The primary responsibilities of the interns include food preparation and feeding, enclosure cleaning and sanitation, laundry, dishes, facility cleaning and sanitation, basic medical care under staff supervision, and assisting with patient admissions, phone calls, and other administrative duties. Live-in interns may have increased responsibilities such as after – hours care, which provides a more fulfilling and rewarding experience than those who live off-site.
The WHS Wildlife Rehab Center offers limited free onsite housing on a first-come, first-served basis. Rooms are located on the second floor of the wildlife center. Personnel will be working on the first floor from 6:00am to 8:00pm every day, and live-in interns may hear sounds of this and patients vocalizing from their quarters.
Living where you work has its pros and cons: It is very convenient and amplifies the whole experience, but being able to leave the work environment can also be important for mental health. Furthermore, bus lines and other public transportation do not reach our property, and there is no walkable access to stores, restaurants, etc. Rideshares such as Uber, Lyft, etc. are not readily accessible and can be quite expensive. As such, having access to a reliable car during your internship is essential.
The facility hours vary based on the season. During the busy season, the hours may be anywhere from 6:00am to 10:00pm, although the hours are typically from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Shifts are either 8 hours or 10 hours depending on patient needs. Interns may be scheduled any day of the week with 2-3 days off per week. Late night feedings may be required during baby season for select patients. After hours care is restricted to on-site interns only.
At the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, it is policy to keep wildlife wild. Our ultimate goal is to release physically and behaviorally healthy animals back into the wild. It is very important that interns understand that this is not a job where you will “cuddle cute wildlife”. Minimum contact with the patient is important in order to reduce their stress and prevent them from becoming habituated and imprinted with humans (which results in euthanasia). Our staff has a zero- tolerance policy for any behavior that puts the animals at risk.
We recognize that some injuries and conditions are such that the animal will not be able to be returned to the wild or live in captivity. In those cases, we perform euthanasia as a way to release the animal from pain. Interns will not perform the euthanasia, but may be present when it occurs. This is something interns must be open to accept. Euthanasia is a gift; and is never taken lightly.
Working with wildlife presents possible added exposure to potential zoonotic diseases. The WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center takes every precaution available to mitigate these risks through the use of PPE, disinfection and handling protocols, and vaccination.
It is preferred that all live-in interns are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the internship start date. Our staff, interns, and volunteers are expected to wear face masks in the facility while working with patients, the public, and in other situations. Interns will be required to learn and follow all special COVID, HPAI, and other emerging disease precautions and wear the appropriate PPE (provided) for the entirety of their internships.
All interns are expected to be 100% committed to their internship, both physically and mentally. We expect interns to be here when scheduled and willing to do what is asked to the very best of their ability.
ALL INTERNS: Each intern is allowed 3 days of scheduled leave; these are to be used for previously arranged trips, events, etc. that are cleared with the manager first with as much advance notice as possible. Anything such as illness or family emergency is exempt from this policy; however, the manager must be notified as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. If an intern is out sick for more than 3 days, a doctor’s note will be required. If an intern tests positive for COVID, that intern will need to follow current CDC and WHS policies.
LIVE-IN INTERNS: Live-in interns are expected to do just that: live here! They are to spend every night at the center for the duration of their internship unless previously arranged as described above. Live-in interns have an added level of responsibility and are to be available for after hours emergencies, intakes, or animal care duties. They are expected to share these responsibilities equally among themselves; no single individual should be doing all of the after-hours duties.
This intern position focuses on assisting wildlife center staff in providing the wildlife patients with the highest quality humane care and attention, including but not limited to animal husbandry, cleaning, and maintenance tasks. This is not a medical internship for those seeking externships or internship hours for technical veterinary programs.
The application deadline for an internship at the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is typically March 1st of each year. Since housing is on a first come, first served basis, it is recommended to apply early for these opportunities. Generally, decisions are made and applicants are notified of their status by mid-March.
Questions about the internship or application? Email us at wildlifevolunteer@whatcomhumane.org and we will be happy to assist you.
Donate to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
With Heartfelt Thanks to the Supporters who Helped Fund our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center:
