Our Story
Every year thousands of wild, native Utah animals are injured or orphaned and cannot survive without human intervention. Many of these situations are due (directly or indirectly) to human-wildlife conflicts such as window or vehicle collisions, gunshot wounds, poisoning, and domestic animal attacks. Treatment of native migratory birds and most other wild animals is limited solely to individuals and organizations licensed through state and federal agencies to ensure professional and humane treatment of all species.
Utah is currently home to other licensed wildlife rehabilitation organizations spread across the state. The closest accessible facility for Salt Lake County residents is an hour or more north, in Ogden, Utah. Salt Lake County is in need of a full-service licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility to help the community with the injured, ill, and orphaned wild animals that they encounter. A list of current permitted facilities and individuals can be found here. The primary goal of our future Salt Lake County facility is to treat each individual animal with professional experience, to release these animals back into their wild habitat, and make lasting connections to the community through our mission, vision, and values. Education, science, and evidence-based medicine are among the core beliefs of our board of directors, volunteers and staff.
The contributing individuals of the Wildlife Center of Salt Lake have extensive knowledge regarding the husbandry and medical care of wildlife. WCSL also has accepted the generous support of local and internationally recognized veterinarians who have committed to
work alongside volunteers and staff with the ultimate goal of wild re-introduction. The need for this kind of program closer to the Salt Lake County area continues to grow and is currently unavailable.
Wildlife Center of Salt Lake would be remiss to ignore the contribution of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU), a state and federally permitted facility and a section 501 (c)(3) nonprofit based in Ogden, Utah. WRCNU is the primary inspiration for the
organization and development of Wildlife Center of Salt Lake. WRCNU continues to be the largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the state of Utah.
In November of 2022, WCSL received full nonprofit status, obtained a physical location in May 2023 and was fully permitted by the state of Utah and USFWS to intake, rehabilitate, and release native migratory birds and small mammals in December of 2023. WCSL opened its doors on December 17, 2023.
Please reach out if you are interested in volunteering, donating, becoming involved in leadership, or contact us if you are interested in supporting us in another capacity.
Interested in supporting WCSL in rehabilitation, education, and conservation efforts of native Utah species?
If you would like to partner with us, support our mission, or want to know more, fill out the form below and one of our staff members will get back to you.