WILDLIFE REHAB & EDUCATION (WR&E)

Wildlife Rehab & Education (a non-profit organization) was formed to meet the increasing need for wildlife assistance in the Greater Houston / Upper Gulf Coast. Each year, thousands of injured or orphaned wild birds and mammals are received by WR&E licensed rehabilitators. The techniques used to care for these animals maximize their chances for survival when they are returned to their native habitat. WR&E volunteers attend training courses and seminars to acquire the specialized skills necessary to give these creatures the best care possible. Many local veterinarians also volunteer their time and expertise to help with medications, x-rays and surgical procedures.

Wildlife Rehab & Education proudly opened a full function Rehabilitation Center in September of 2007. The WR&E Wildlife Center is receiving injured or orphaned native wild animals daily from Houston and nine surrounding counties.  WR&E Wildlife Center and their affiliated permitted wildlife rehabilitators envision accepting approximately 9000 to 10,000 wild animals in the coming year.  WR&E will continue to provide environmental education to the public and expect that capacity to exceed our usual 10,000 kids and adults.  We will also continue our Oiled Wildlife Response workshops.

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION

Wildlife rehabilitation is the care of injured or orphaned wild animals with the specific goal of returning them to their native habitat with an optimal chance of survival. This involves emergency care, long-term rehabilitation, conditioning for release and ultimately, release back into the wild. It is a humane and rewarding endeavor which benefits both wildlife and people. By caring for individual animals, we are gathering information that is relevant to entire species and gives us a better understanding of how these creatures relate to our world in its entirety.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY

WR&E provides trained speakers to address civic groups, businesses, schools and other organizations interested in native wildlife. WR&E continues to provide environmental education to the public and expect the Wildlife Center will provide the capacity to exceed the usual 10,000 children and adults reached per year. WR&E programs focus on the rehabilitation process and how we can best share the environment in which we live with these wild creatures that enrich our lives. If it is appropriate and safe, non-releasable wild animals accompany the speaker as part of the presentation.

OILED WILDLIFE RESPONSE

WR&E can provide a team of State and Federally permitted and experienced wildlife rehabilitators that can care for all species of birds and mammals including endangered species. Including OSHA certified response personnel , ICS trained responders and 24-hours-a-day responders. Professionally trained managers handle a major oiled wildlife response with a teamwork approach to include state and federal officials, regulatory agencies, local wildlife rehabilitators and local citizens. Personnel are available to  set up an on-scene wildlife response facility, with the option of using WR&E’s Wildlife Center. WR&E also provides training seminars for individuals interesting in working an oil spill response.

WHY IS WILDLIFE REHAB & EDUCATION NECESSARY?

The Texas Gulf Coast is a haven for migratory birds and home for many native birds and mammals. Due to the increasing number of people in the Houston-Galveston area, many animals are displaced by habitat destruction and fragmentation, hit by cars, injured by dogs and cats, shot or trapped illegally, kept illegally as "pets" and entangled in fences, fishing lines and other human made hazards. In other words, conditions caused by humans, NOT “Mother Nature”.

For a partial listing of permitted and sub-permitted WR&E wildlife rehabbers click here

To Contact Us:

713-643-WILD provides a partial list of our permitted rehabbers

713-861-WILD Direct line to the Wildlife Center
E-mail: SharonSchmalz@wrande.org

Wildlife Center 7007 Katy Road, Houston, TX, 77024