Wildlife In Need Center
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersOconomowoc, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Wildlife In Need Center firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Wildlife In Need Center industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Wildlife In Need Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oconomowoc
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wildlife In Need Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The center relies on individual donors and supporters who contribute through one-time and recurring donations to sustain life-saving mission operations.
- 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+).
- Foundation Grants: Private foundation grants and corporate foundation funding from organizations like PPC Foundation, Green Bay Packers Foundation, and WE Energies Foundation.
- Membership Program: Monthly donor/wildlife animal champions membership program providing recurring revenue support.
- Event Sponsorships: Event sponsorship opportunities including Fine Wine & Dine annual fundraiser and other special events.
- Education Program Sponsorships: Sponsorships for education programs, intern sponsorship, animal ambassador adoption, and wildlife rehabilitation room/enclosure sponsorship.
- No Government Funding: WINC receives no county, state, or federal funding and operates entirely through fundraising efforts and generosity of donors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free wildlife rehabilitation services provided to the public |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Wildlife In Need Center product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Wildlife In Need Center
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wildlife In Need Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Wildlife In Need Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- University of Wisconsin - WaukeshacoreWINC'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 AssociationcoreWINC is a proud member ensuring work reflects the highest level of professional care and collaboration.
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators AssociationcoreWINC is a proud member dedicated to advancing the field of wildlife rehabilitation through education, advocacy, and professional development.
- International Wildlife Rehabilitation CouncilcoreWINC 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 ResourcescoreWINC 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
Wildlife In Need Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Wildlife In Need Center social profiles
Digital presenceWildlife In Need Center compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Wildlife In Need Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wildlife In Need Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Wildlife In Need Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wildlife In Need Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wildlife In Need Center
What does Wildlife In Need Center do?
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.
Is Wildlife In Need Center a public or private company?
Wildlife In Need Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Wildlife In Need Center founded?
Wildlife In Need Center was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Wildlife In Need Center based?
Wildlife In Need Center is headquartered in Oconomowoc, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wildlife In Need Center make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are business Partners and Sponsorships, foundation Grants, membership Program, event Sponsorships, education Program Sponsorships and no Government Funding.
Who are Wildlife In Need Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Raptor Center (University of Minnesota), Fox Valley Wildlife Center, Tufts Wildlife Clinic, Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic, Lindsay Wildlife Experience and Northwoods Wildlife Center. Others are International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). Wisconsin Humane Society is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Wildlife In Need Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wildlife In Need Center.
What industry is Wildlife In Need Center in?
Wildlife In Need Center's product category is Wildlife Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAC, Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAB, Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection. Its NAICS code is 813312.