$9,902 raised by 106 donors
100% complete
$5,000 Goal
Originally, a division of Sacramento Wildlife Care in 1990, Sierra Wildlife Rescue was formally established in 1992 as the need for wildlife rescue grew in El Dorado County. Led by a group of 85 dedicated wildlife rehabilitators (rehabbers), veterinarians and supporters, SWR had helped 350 wild animals throughout El Dorado, Sacramento and Yolo Counties during its inaugural year.
Orphaned songbirds accounted for nearly 50% of these wildlife rescues. So, in 1996, SWR opened its first "Baby Bird Nursery" where teams of volunteers worked 12-hour days, 7 days a week to feed and care for these orphaned birds. By 2000, SWR had outgrown the Nursery and moved to a larger location. In 2017, SWR got a permanent "home" of its own when the El Dorado County Humane Society generously gifted its building in Diamond Springs to SWR. Today's Nursery treats approximately 750 infant birds each season (April-August) and serves as SWR's Center for education and training classes.
Beyond orphan songbirds, all other avian species as well as mammals are cared for by in-home rehabilitators who serve a host of wildlife creatures including squirrels, rabbits, fawns, skunks, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, doves, corvids, songbirds, waterfowl, game-birds, pigeons, and raptors, such as owls, hawks, and falcons.
As SWR has grown, so too has its reputation. Recognized and highly respected by other wildlife organizations, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, SWR has become a model of organizational skill and efficiency. As such, SWR is often asked to assist other wildlife organizations throughout Northern California.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue's purpose is the preservation of El Dorado County's wildlife. SWR seeks to achieve this in two ways. First, we rescue orphaned and injured wildlife. Then after rehabilitation and recovery, we release the wildlife back to their natural habitat. Secondly, SWR educates the public about living with wildlife and respecting its habitat. Each of these is important to the long-term health and well-being of our area's wildlife.
Raising and rehabilitating wild animals needs committed volunteers and financial support. Each dollar contributed to SWR means that our volunteers will have the financial resources to take care of injured and orphaned wildlife and prepare them for returning to their native habitat.
We are a volunteer-based organization and we greatly depend upon volunteers to staff our Baby Bird Nursery 12-hours a day, 7 days a week during the May through August timeframe to take care of injured and orphaned birds. Also, we need volunteers year around who can perform in-home rehabbing of wildlife such as rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, deer, and waterfowl.
Viable organizations need dedicated and talented people to provide leadership and guidance for the organization. As such, SWR also welcomes volunteers willing to serve on its Board of Directors.
Each year, SWR seeks to provide paid internships for college students who are studying in the animal care or environmental fields. These summer internships provide invaluable experience to the students and supplement SWR volunteers' efforts to rehab wild animals.
One of the major expenses in operating SWR's Baby Bird Nursery is the food we provide the birds. Each year SWR spends over $5,000 on meal worms, one of the principal sources of high-quality nutrition for baby birds.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue is funded through donations, fundraising, grants and membership.
Organization name
Sierra Wildlife Rescue
1992
Tax id (EIN)
68-0259827
Mission Category
Animal Related
Operating Budget
$100,001-$250,000
Organization Need
Volunteers, Funding: Unrestricted, In-Kind Donations
Demographics Served
Animals
Local Counties Served
El Dorado
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
777 Pleasant Valley RoadEl Dorado County, CA, US