What do I do if I find an animal that needs help?
Call 814-692-004 (do not email us!)and/or see the Wildlife Reference Sheet located on our home page under "links."
The Wildlife Reference Sheet was compiled to inform people about distressed wildlife. The information compiled was primarily designed to help determine if a baby animal or bird needs attention during "the baby season", and what to do once it is determined an animal or bird needs help.
PLEASE NOTE: UNDER PA GAME COMMISSION REGULATIONS AND THE U.S. DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR AN UNLICENSED INDIVIDUAL TO POSSESS A NATIVE WILD ANIMAL.
It is important to contact the proper authorities, such as a wildlife rehabilitator or the Game Commission, as soon as possible for assistance. Not just because it is illegal to possess a wild animal, but because many animals need attention immediately.
How do I Apply to Volunteer or Serve as a CWC Intern?
To volunteer or serve as a CWC intern, please complete a volunteer/intern form located on our home page and mail it to CWC.
What is Centre Wildlife Care?
Centre Wildlife Care (CWC) is a 501c3, non-profit organization dedicated to caring for injured, orphaned, sick and displaced wildlife for the purpose of releasing them back into the wild. Care is provided to mammals, birds and reptiles. CWC also provides education about wildlife to the public. CWC is run by volunteers and is funded solely by donations. Because of our limited funds, we do ask that animals be transported to the rehabilitation facility when at all possible. The director, Robyn Graboski, is a trained and Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and has been rehabilitating wildlife since 1988. Robyn is licensed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service to possess and care for compromised wild animals.
CWC is a home care organization with the primary facility in Lemont. CWC does offer opportunities for individuals to volunteer. Many of our volunteers are students from PSU that are majoring in Wildlife or Pre-vet. Volunteers can help in various ways. Some help with feeding, medications and cage cleaning. Some help by collecting donation of food, toweling and newspaper. Yet others help by transporting animals to the Veterinarian for medical care.
Animal Medical Hospital and Centre Animal Hospital in State College, PA are generous enough to provide free services, for wildlife rehabilitation. This is quite a luxury for our organization. Many wildlife rehabilitators must pay partial or full price for veterinary service. We are very thankful to have such a wonderful service available to us. This allows us to use our limited funds to provide a better service for the wildlife.
What is wildlife rehabilitation?
Wildlife Rehabilitation is the process of caring for orphaned, injured, sick or displaced wild animals until they can be returned back into the wild. Their injuries are usually a result of human contact in some way (e.g. hit by car, cat/dog caught, shot, poisoned, etc.)
What is needed to become a wildlife rehabilitator?
First, proper permits are required. Both state and federal permits are required to handle wildlife. Pennsylvania requires individuals to submit an application and pass a test administered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission before they can become licensed.
Wildlife rehabilitators are required to keep detailed records on all rehabilitated animals. These records are submitted annually to state and federal agencies. In Pennsylvania, continuing education is required to maintain licensing as a wildlife rehabilitator. In addition, rehabilitation facilities are subject to site inspections at any time.