Wildlife In Need Center

What Wildlife In Need Center does

Wildlife In Need Center (WINC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 by Nancy Frank and headquartered in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The organization provides medical and surgical rehabilitation for injured, sick, and orphaned native Wisconsin wildlife with the goal of returning healthy animals to their natural habitats. In FY 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026) WINC admitted 2,778 wildlife patients representing species from 100 cities across 17 Wisconsin counties, has treated more than 74,000 animals cumulatively since founding, and operates a 6,000-square-foot clinical facility on the University of Wisconsin–Waukesha Field Station property that includes an onsite surgical suite developed with donations from veterinarians nationwide. WINC is also the only organization in the United States — and one of only two in North America — to offer an internship accredited through the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) Practicum Program.

WINC operates a portfolio of complementary programs beyond direct rehabilitation, including on-site and outreach wildlife education programs that delivered approximately 160 programs reaching over 26,000 people annually through animal ambassadors, plus structured volunteer programs (baby bird feeding, internships), donor-facing experiences (Fine Wine & Dine gala, Meet & Greet events, Behind the Scenes Tours, birthday parties), and community resources such as nest box designs. Wildlife rehabilitation services are provided free of charge to the public.

The organization is funded entirely through voluntary contributions — individual donations, recurring "Wildlife Animal Champions" memberships, foundation grants (including PPC Foundation, Green Bay Packers Foundation, and WE Energies Foundation), a five-tier corporate Business Partner program ranging from $250 to $10,000+, and event sponsorships — with no county, state, or federal funding. It is staffed by 1-10 paid professionals (including Executive Director Kim Banach, Director of Operations Lisa Rowe, and Director of Animal Care Lisa Fosco) and more than 100 volunteers.

Name

Wildlife In Need Center

Legal name

Wildlife In Need Center

Website

https://helpingwildlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wildlife In Need Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, founded in 1994, that provides free medical rehabilitation and release services for injured native wildlife, operates educational programs reaching over 26,000 people annually, and is funded entirely by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Veterinary Services (54194)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Animal rescue and care
• Wildlife education programs
• Conservation nonprofit services
• Veterinary wildlife medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Oconomowoc

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The center relies on individual donors and supporters who contribute through one-time and recurring donations to sustain life-saving mission operations.
2. Business Partners and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships and business partner program providing financial support at various contribution levels including Herptile Level ($250-499), Mammal Level ($500-999), Avian Level ($1,000-4,999), Steward ($5,000-9,999), and Guardian ($10,000+).
3. Foundation Grants: Private foundation grants and corporate foundation funding from organizations like PPC Foundation, Green Bay Packers Foundation, and WE Energies Foundation.
4. Membership Program: Monthly donor/wildlife animal champions membership program providing recurring revenue support.
5. Event Sponsorships: Event sponsorship opportunities including Fine Wine & Dine annual fundraiser and other special events.
6. Education Program Sponsorships: Sponsorships for education programs, intern sponsorship, animal ambassador adoption, and wildlife rehabilitation room/enclosure sponsorship.
7. No Government Funding: WINC receives no county, state, or federal funding and operates entirely through fundraising efforts and generosity of donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wildlife In Need Center provides free medical treatment, rehabilitation, and care for injured, sick, and orphaned native Wisconsin wildlife, primarily serving residents of Southeast Wisconsin. The organization also delivers wildlife and conservation education programs to schools and community groups, and runs the only IWRC-accredited wildlife rehabilitation internship program in the United States.

Product overview

Wildlife In Need Center is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization offering a portfolio of services centered on wildlife rehabilitation, community education, and volunteer engagement. Core offerings include medical rehabilitation for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife (mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians) with the goal of releasing healthy animals back to the wild, and wildlife education programs featuring animal ambassadors for schools, civic groups, and special events. The center also operates volunteer programs including the IWRC-accredited internship program, baby bird feeding program, and adoption programs. Supporting programs include annual fundraising events, behind-the-scenes tours, and nest box design resources for the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Services Free medical treatment, rehabilitation, and care for injured, sick, and orphaned native Wisconsin wildlife, delivered through an onsite hospital and surgical suite in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Services are available at no charge to residents of Southeast Wisconsin (Waukesha, Washington, Jefferson, and Dodge counties).
• Wildlife Education Programs Wildlife and conservation education programs delivered for schools, youth groups, and community organizations, using live, licensed wildlife to teach about native species and conservation.
• IWRC-Accredited Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship The only IWRC-accredited wildlife rehabilitation internship program in the United States, providing hands-on clinical training in wildlife medicine for prospective and early-career wildlife rehabilitators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,778 wildlife patients admitted in FY 2025-26
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of Wisconsin - WaukeshacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWINC's facility is located on the Field Station property of UW-Waukesha. 2017 marked WINC's seventh year in this partnership with this highly regarded institution.
• Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitation AssociationcoreOthersWINC is a proud member ensuring work reflects the highest level of professional care and collaboration.
• National Wildlife Rehabilitators AssociationcoreOthersWINC is a proud member dedicated to advancing the field of wildlife rehabilitation through education, advocacy, and professional development.
• International Wildlife Rehabilitation CouncilcoreOthersWINC is proud to be one of only two organizations in North America, and the only one in the United States, to offer an internship accredited through the IWRC Practicum Program.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcescoreOthersWINC is licensed by the Wisconsin DNR. Works with DNR for wildlife rehabilitation permits, wildlife switchboard referrals, and during Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza situations.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Raptor Center (University of Minnesota): The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota provides medical care, rehabilitation, and education for raptors and other wildlife. It is comparable to WINC in combining clinical rehab, public education, and university-affiliated research, though with a raptor-focused specialty.
• Fox Valley Wildlife Center: Fox Valley Wildlife Center in Elgin, Illinois is a nonprofit wildlife hospital providing rehabilitation, phone consultation, and education across the upper Midwest. It is a near-neighbor peer to WINC in mission, model, and regional service area.
• Tufts Wildlife Clinic: Tufts Wildlife Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine provides medical and surgical care to native wildlife while training veterinarians. WINC's onsite surgical suite and licensed-vet-tech staffing mirror this clinical-rehab-plus-education model.
• Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic: Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic in Philadelphia treats injured native wildlife and runs community education programming at a similar organizational scale to WINC. It serves as another nonprofit wildlife-hospital analog combining rehab with outreach.
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience: Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek, California operates a wildlife rehabilitation hospital treating thousands of native animals annually alongside education and ambassador programs. Like WINC, it is a nonprofit wildlife hospital combining medical care, public education, and volunteer-driven operations, making it the closest US analog.
• Northwoods Wildlife Center: Northwoods Wildlife Center in Minocqua, Wisconsin treats injured and orphaned native wildlife and runs education programs. It operates as a direct Wisconsin-based wildlife rehab peer; one of WINC's current animal-care staff previously worked at Northwoods.

Others

• International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC): IWRC is the professional association that accredits WINC's internship program. It is a peer in the wildlife-rehab profession that sets standards and provides training, making it an enabling/ecosystem peer rather than a competitor.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Wisconsin DNR licenses WINC, refers cases via its wildlife switchboard, and partners during events like HPAI responses. It is a regulator/partner that frames WINC's operating scope rather than a competing service provider.
• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA): NWRA is the national professional association for wildlife rehabilitators, of which WINC is a member. It functions as an ecosystem peer providing advocacy, training, and standards rather than direct services.

Broad incumbents

• Wisconsin Humane Society: Wisconsin Humane Society is a large Wisconsin-based animal welfare organization that refers wildlife cases to WINC and runs broader companion-animal services. It is an established incumbent in the same state with overlapping but broader animal-welfare scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/helpingwildlife/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/wildlifeinneedcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildlife-in-need-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildlifeinneedcenter
• Xx.com/helpingwildlife

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Wildlife In Need Center