What Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue does

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue (SCWR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization headquartered in Petaluma, California. Founded in 1981, the organization runs a Wildlife Hospital and seven-day-a-week Wildlife Hotline (707-526-9453), providing medical care to 1,500+ native wild animals per year and achieving a 70-80% release rate back to the wild. SCWR is permitted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to treat most wild mammals and handle birds, and has HAZWOPER certification for hazardous-material work.

The organization's service portfolio is structured into three "fund-the-mission" subprograms (Barn Owl Maintenance Program/BOMP for organic rodent control, A Wildlife Exclusion Service/AWES for humane conflict resolution, and Predator Exclusion and Education Program/PEEP for community education) plus a Wildlife Hospital core, an educational tours business (public/private/enrichment/VIP tiers priced $10-$700), a school programs channel ($175-$500), and post-2024 additions: One With the Wild Wellness retreats and Wild Academy California for professional training. Physical assets include the Petaluma headquarters (403 Mecham Rd) and a newly acquired 47-acre Spring Canyon Nature Retreat in Geyserville donated by Jeff and Laurie Ubben in 2025. Proprietary physical-design IP includes the ethically engineered Barn Owl Box (marine-grade plywood, stainless steel hardware, oval predator-deterrent holes, 15-20 year lifespan) and the Puma Proof Pen enclosure developed with Audubon Canyon Ranch for mountain lion protection of livestock.

SCWR's go-to-market is direct-to-community engagement with no government funding. Revenue is a mix of donations (annual operating budget stated at $950,000, or $2,600/day), BOMP service fees ($140 service calls, $350-$525 box + installation, $100-$125/box monitoring, $300 presentations), AWES exclusion work, educational programming, tours, and wellness retreats. Customer segments are diversified: individual public donors, schools (K-12 field trips and classroom presentations), Sonoma County vintners (vineyard integrated pest management), farmers/hobbyists managing predation, and wellness-seeking adults. Operational leadership sits with Executive Director Doris Duncan (hired 2000) and Animal Care Director Danielle McGuire (RVT, since 2010), supported by a veterinarian of record (Dr. Dan Famini) and a volunteer-driven animal care team.

Name

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue

Legal name

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue

Website

https://scwildliferescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Exterminating and Pest Control Services (561710), Exterminating and Pest Control Services (56171)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Wildlife Control & Exclusion (IMAIAHAJ), Wildlife Proofing & Entry Point Sealing (Exclusion Work) (HSAMAMAL)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Wildlife rescue operations
• Human-wildlife conflict resolution
• Wildlife exclusion services
• Wildlife education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Petaluma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: 501(c)(3) nonprofit relying on public donations. Receives no government funding. Accepts one-time and recurring monthly donations. Annual operating budget is $950,000.
2. Barn Owl Maintenance Program (BOMP): Provides barn owl box installation, monitoring, and maintenance services. Revenue from service calls ($140), box sales ($350-$525), monitoring ($100-$125), presentations ($300). Proceeds fund the Raptor Rehabilitation Program.
3. Wellness Retreats: One With the Wild Wellness program launched early 2024, offering yoga, meditation, and nature-based wellness experiences at Spring Canyon Nature Retreat.
4. Educational Programs: Revenue from field trips ($175), classroom presentations ($350+), barn owl presentations ($300), and PEEP Interactive Learning program ($400-$500/semester or free with scholarship).
5. Facility Tours: Public tours ($10-$25), private tours ($175), enrichment tours ($250), behind the scenes tours ($400), and VIP tours ($700).
6. A Wildlife Exclusion Service (AWES): Life-oriented wildlife exclusion services solving human-wildlife conflict issues without killing or illegal trapping methods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue provides rescue, rehabilitation, and release services for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife through a wildlife hospital, a seven-day-a-week wildlife hotline, and animal drop-off at its Petaluma facility. The organization supplements its core mission with three fee-generating programs — the Barn Owl Maintenance Program (BOMP) for organic pest control, A Wildlife Exclusion Service (AWES) for humane conflict resolution, and the Predator Exclusion and Education Program (PEEP) — plus educational tours, school programs, and the One With the Wild Wellness retreat program.

Product overview

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue operates as a nonprofit wildlife rescue organization offering a portfolio of interconnected services centered on wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release. The core service includes rescue operations via a wildlife hotline, medical rehabilitation at their hospital, and release programs. Supporting services include educational tours, the Barn Owl Maintenance Program (BOMP) for organic pest control, A Wildlife Exclusion Service (AWES) for humane wildlife conflict resolution, and the Predator Exclusion and Education Program (PEEP) teaching community coexistence techniques. Additional programs include One With the Wild Wellness retreats, Wild Academy California professional training, and the Spring Canyon Nature Retreat satellite facility. The organization is funded partly through these programs and accepts donations via PayPal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release Core wildlife rescue, veterinary medical care, rehabilitation, and release service for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife at the Petaluma hospital, treating over 1,500 animals annually with a 70-80% release rate back to the wild.
• Wildlife Hotline Seven-day-a-week wildlife hotline (707-526-9453) operating 9 AM to 7:30 PM to provide guidance on injured or orphaned wildlife and to coordinate animal drop-off services at the Petaluma facility.
• Barn Owl Maintenance Program (BOMP) Barn owl box installation, monitoring, and maintenance service that provides organic rodent control for vineyards and other properties, helping reduce rodenticide use. Includes service calls ($140), box sales ($350-$525), monitoring ($100-$125/box), and presentations ($300). Proceeds fund the Raptor Rehabilitation Program.
• A Wildlife Exclusion Service (AWES) Life-oriented wildlife exclusion service solving human-wildlife conflict issues without killing or using illegal trapping methods. Provides on-site consultations and exclusion services for residential and commercial properties throughout Sonoma County.
• Predator Exclusion and Education Program (PEEP) Educational program teaching wildlife-friendly techniques to protect gardens and livestock from predators, featuring a demonstration barnyard and interactive learning for children ages 5-17. PEEP Interactive Learning costs $400-$500 per 6-month semester (or free via Isabella Scholarship Fund).
• Tours and Education Educational tours and field trips at the Petaluma facility showcasing native wildlife and educational barnyard programs. Includes public tours ($10-$25), private tours ($175), enrichment tours ($250), behind-the-scenes tours ($400), and VIP tours ($700).
• School Programs Field trips to the Petaluma facility and traveling classroom presentations on wildlife education for K-12 students. Field trips are $175 for groups of 25 or fewer ($5 per additional student, max 30); classroom presentations are $350 plus $85-$165 travel fee (up to 40 kids); barn owl presentations are $300.
• One With the Wild Wellness Wellness program offering yoga, meditation, and nature-based wellness experiences at the 47-acre Spring Canyon Nature Retreat, helping connect people to natural habitats through wildlife education and re-discovering wild instincts through wellness.
• Wild Academy California Educational resource for professionals looking to advance their skills and gain experience for careers in wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, education, human-wildlife conflict resolution, and other wildlife study areas.
• Internship Program 12-week minimum animal care internships with Level 1 and Level 2 tracks providing hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation, alongside adult and junior volunteer programs across wildlife community, wildlife kitchen, facility maintenance, rescue team, administrative, and educational areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500+ animals treated annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BOMP Coalition (BOMPCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Network of wildlife professionals with shared commitment to highest standards, ethics and practices in all Barn Owl Maintenance Programs. Operates alongside BOMP with mission to promote best practices.
• True WildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Partnership agreement in April 2021 to enhance conservation efforts in Sonoma County. True Wild, founded by Dr. Quinton Martins (Living with Lions program), focuses on Human-Wildlife Conflict, Wildlife Exclusion, and Environmental Educational Opportunities. Liz Martins serves as SCWR's Educational Consultant guiding PEEP and Wildlife Education Exhibits. True Wild built a Visitor Center at 13875 Sonoma Highway in Glen Ellen showcasing SCWR projects.
• Nor Cal Affordable PlumbingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Donated time and expertise to extend water to lower pond in Aquatic Mammal Enclosure's otter nursery.
• Park Avenue TurfminorOthers · 1 January 2020Donated sod multiple times for beaver quarantine enclosures to protect their feet and tails from concrete surfaces.
• Audubon Canyon Ranch - Living with Lions ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership in Spring 2019 to design and construct Puma Proof Pen protecting livestock from apex predators like mountain lions. Dr. Quinton Martins is the principal investigator and serves as a resource to SCWR's Wildlife Hotline and Wildlife Exclusion Services.
• Mountain Lion FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Donated cyclone dog kennel used for Puma Proof Pen construction.
• Mountain Lion FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Donated cyclone dog kennel used for Puma Proof Pen construction.
• True WildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Liz Martins serves as SCWR's Educational Consultant guiding PEEP Education Program and Wildlife Education Exhibits. Dr. Quinton Martins is excellent resource for Wildlife Hotline and Wildlife Exclusion Services.
• Lynmar Estate WinerycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012First BOMP client in 2012. Executive Director Doris Duncan met Lynmar Estate owners during a visit to collect food for wildlife patients, which launched the Barn Owl Maintenance Program. Lynmar Estate has continued supporting SCWR, most recently donating willow for beaver care.
• Aquascape Custom Crafted PoolsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010Donated labor to design and build otter pond facility with boulders and gunnite lining suitable for otters.
• VCA Animal Care Center Rohnert ParkcoreOthers · 1 January 2001Closest emergency veterinary clinic to SCWR since 2001. Provided free diagnostic services (radiographs, MRI, blood analysis, ultrasounds) for mountain lion P-26. Led by Dr. Sara Schachter and Dr. Diccon Westworth.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Wildlife Care: San Luis Obispo County nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center. Comparable in mission (rescue, rehab, education) and California-licensed operating model, though serving a different region.
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience: Walnut Creek, CA-based wildlife hospital and education center offering rehabilitation, hotline, and educational programming. Directly comparable nonprofit wildlife rescue serving the broader San Francisco Bay Area with similar service mix and regulatory model.
• WildCare: San Rafael, CA nonprofit wildlife hospital providing rescue, rehabilitation, and nature education. Operates in the same Northern California geography with overlapping donor base and program types (hospital, hotline, education).
• Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley: San Jose, CA wildlife rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit. Similar 501(c)(3) model with hospital, hotline, and public education services in California.
• Gold Country Wildlife Rescue: Auburn, CA-based wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit serving the Sierra foothills region. Comparable mission and volunteer-driven operating model in Northern California.
• Sacramento Valley Wildlife Care: Sacramento-area wildlife rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit. Directly comparable service portfolio including hospital, hotline, and educational programming in Northern California.

Broad incumbents

• Marine Mammal Center: Sausalito, CA-based marine mammal hospital and research center. Larger-scale California wildlife rehabilitation organization with national brand recognition; serves marine species but uses a comparable nonprofit licensed rehab model.

Regional players

• Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue and Education Center: Sonoma County-based wildlife rescue focusing on squirrels and small mammals. Direct geographic overlap with SCWR and overlapping community base, but narrower species scope.
• Humane Society of Sonoma County: Santa Rosa, CA animal welfare nonprofit operating shelter and adoption services. Shares Sonoma County donor base and 501(c)(3) operating model, though focused on domestic animals rather than wildlife.

Others

• True Wild: Glen Ellen, CA conservation organization co-founded by Dr. Quinton Martins focused on human-wildlife conflict resolution. Direct strategic partner of SCWR and operates a Visitor Center showcasing SCWR projects; closely aligned mission on wildlife exclusion and education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/scwildliferescue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue