In The Beginning, there were three

It was in the summer of 1994, that we first experienced the joys and challenges of caring for wildlife often found in cities and towns across the Midwest. A tree, previously serving as a comfortable home for a family of raccoon, was chopped down.

Now they were homeless and about to become our teachers and inspiration.

Their displacement from the mother, although unfortunate and avoidable, served as the catalyst that created this organization. After years of experience in rehabilitating wild animals, we've learned that the primary goal is to attempt to reunite family units whenever possible. Today, these animals would be customarily returned to the tree for their mother to retrieve.

It became apparent in the early days of our wildlife rehabilitation efforts, animals were being orphaned consistently. We began to investigate the specific reasons orphaned animals became abandoned and the findings were frightening. Our research revealed a magnitude of inhumane practices in the wild animal control industry, sadly advocated by institutions of higher learning and lack of state regulations.

Although coming to the aid of numerous animals was rewarding, it felt a disservice to these creatures to stop our efforts at this level. Releasing them into a society wherein cruelty was acceptable and condoned was contrary to our mission statement.

Thus, in 1998, Wildlife Orphanage, Inc. was founded.

Providing education and lobbying for legislation

Wildlife Orphanage, Inc. utilizes the services of three licensed wildlife educators, who present community programs to increase public awareness concerning ways to peacefully co-exist and humanely interact with our neighbors from the wild. Presentations are specifically tailored to be age-appropriate and are supplemented with written material.

Since 1998, over 100 seminars were presented to humane societies, park departments and school groups of all ages.

To further the cause of wildlife welfare, our staff and board members actively monitor legislation and provide input to legislators concerning administrative and legislative policies impacting wildlife on a national, state and local level.

And, we have some great success stories to share. On January 1, 2003, we were successful in helping to revise the Indiana Natural Resource Commission's administrative rule, which allowed animal control operators to use acetone, and other chemical solvents, as well as drowning as acceptable forms of euthanasia.

These inhumane methods are now prohibited by law.

Back To Top