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WILDLIFE HOSPITAL FAQS

1. How many animals do you treat each year?

We see over 3,800 animals a year


2. Is the von Arx Wildlife Hospital open every day?

The Conservancy’s von Arx Wildlife Hospital is open 365 days a year. We are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.


3. What is the most common animal brought into the wildlife hospital?

The most common animal admitted in the past two years is the eastern cottontail. They face many pressures including dog and cat attacks, displacement by landscaping activities, and vehicle collisions. Shorebirds (pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns) as a group are common admissions due to fishing hook and line injuries. Bats also arrive in large numbers, often after their roost is knocked down during landscaping. 


4. What kinds of animals do you treat?

We treat all species native to southwest Florida except for sea turtles. Mammal patients include raccoons, opossums, rabbits, and squirrels. Reptile patients include gopher tortoises, rat snakes, and freshwater turtles. Bird patients include raptors such as bald eagles, ospreys, owls, and hawks, shorebirds such as herons, pelicans, and gulls, and a wide variety of songbirds. The hospital does not treat pets or exotic or invasive species. Injured panthers are transferred to Gainesville for advanced medical treatment.


5. How many people work at the hospital?

There are six full-time staff members, including our full-time veterinarian, Dr. PJ Deitschel. We also have one seasonal staff member, five to seven interns (college graduates) depending on the season, and hundreds of volunteers - including Critter Couriers, who are on call for pickup of injured wildlife.


6.  How do the animals get to the wildlife hospital/what do I do if I find an injured animal?

The hospital relies on the public to bring in sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. If they are unwilling or unable, the hospital will try to find a volunteer Critter Courier to help with transport. The public should NEVER attempt to treat the animal on their own – including giving the animal food or water. Call our hospital at 239-262-CARE (2273).


7. What injuries do the animals have?

Common injuries include vehicle collisions, dog or cat attacks, fishing line entanglement, landscaping causing destruction of nest, and getting caught in or ingesting litter. Some animals are also found orphaned by their parents or are brought in after a storm.


8. What do you feed them?

The diet is specific to each animal’s needs and reflects their natural food items. For example, gopher tortoises are fed grasses and vegetables, pelicans are fed small fish, and squirrels will be fed a mix of acorns and other natural parts of their diet. 


9. Do you accept donations?

Yes! We receive no federal funding, so we depend on donations from our community for ALL of the food, medicine, and other items used for treatment. Please click here to see our wishlist. 


10. Why are the cages covered?

The cages are covered to reduce the animals’ stress, as stress inhibits the immune system. It is also important to keep wild animals from becoming familiar with humans. It is important for their survival that wild animals retain their fear of people.


11. How long do animals stay at the hospital?

This is dependent on a variety of factors including the animal’s age and injury. The animal will be thoroughly assessed and will not be released until it can successfully thrive out in the wild. Wild animals must be perfect before being released. Evaluations may include flight ability, strength, foraging behavior, hunting behavior, vision, grasping, and climbing.

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        • Burmese pythons
          • Burrow Borrowers
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        • Naples Bay & Gordon River
        • TMDLs and BMAPs
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More about Wildlife Rehabilitation at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital

Keep Wildlife Safe

Most animals admitted suffer from injuries or illnesses caused by humans. Since most people seek to avoid causing harm to other living creatures, we put together a list that will help you keep wildlife safe.

Learn more

 

 

 

 

Wildlife Blog

"A Week Inside the von Arx Wildlife" is written weekly by Joanna Fitzgerald, director of the hospital. It is also published every Saturday in the Naples Daily News.

Learn more

 

Donate

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital receives no government funding to support operating expenses. It is supported almost entirely by individuals who care. If you wish to contribute, please click to DONATE.

Donate Today!

 

Wildlife Rehab

  • Donate to the hospital
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  • Inside the Hospital
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Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Address

1495 Smith Preserve Way
Naples, Florida 34102

Nature Center Hours

Monday - Saturday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm (ET)

Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm

von Arx Wildlife Hospital Hours

239-262-2273
8 am - 8 pm (ET)
365 days a year

 

Contact

239-262-0304 phone
239-262-0672 fax

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