• News
  • Work Here
  • Volunteer Here
  • User Sign In
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our President's Message
    • Our Board
    • Strategic Solutions - Vision 2025
    • Staff
    • Work Here
      • Openings
      • Internships
        • Internships for Non-U.S. Citizens
    • Financials
    • Communications
      • In the News
      • Publications
        • Research Documents
        • Publication Archives
      • Media Tools
  • Our Work
    • Science
      • Water Monitoring
        • Naples Bay
        • Lakewatch
      • Mangrove Restoration
        • Clam Bay
        • Fruit Farm Creek
        • Pine Island Sound
        • Development Effects
        • Hurricane Effects
      • Urban Ecology
        • Golf Course Ecology
        • Filter Marsh
        • Smith Preserve Management
      • Western Everglades
        • Refugia Project
        • Picayune Strand Restoration
        • Southern Golden Gate Estates
      • Invasive Species
        • Burmese pythons
          • Burrow Borrowers
        • Cane toads
      • Wildlife Research
        • Loggerheads
        • Kemp's ridleys
        • Everglades Mink
        • Anuran
        • Remote Camera Survey
        • American Alligator
      • Science Blog
    • Policy
      • Take Action
      • Eye on the Issues
      • Eastern Collier County
      • Wetland Protection
      • Water Quality
        • Now or Neverglades
        • Lake O Ripple Effect
          • Stop the Ripple Effect
          • EAA Reservoir
        • Standards & Impaired Waters
        • Fertilizer Ordinance
        • Stormwater Regulation
        • Naples Bay & Gordon River
        • TMDLs and BMAPs
      • Land Conservation
        • Florida Forever
        • Conservation Collier
        • Edison Farms
        • Rural Lands Stewardship Area
      • Wildlife Protection
        • Florida Panther
          • Compensation program
        • Black Bears
        • Manatees
        • Lime Rock / Sand Mining
        • Eastern Collier Habitat
      • Smart Growth
      • Policy Blog
    • Wildlife Hospital
      • Wildlife Hospital FAQ
      • Pelican Protection
      • Animal Acceptance Policy
      • What We Do
      • Wish List
      • Volunteer at Wildlife Hospital
      • Wildlife Blog
    • Education
      • Virtual Learning
      • Summer Camp
      • Field Trips
        • Pricing & Info
        • Registration
      • School Outreach
        • Pricing & Info
        • Registration
      • Teacher Workshops
      • Teacher Resources
      • Education Blog
    • IMPACT
      • Edison Farms
      • Peace River Refuge
      • Mangrove Restoration
      • Western Everglades
      • Clean Water
      • Wildlife Protection
      • Rookery Bay
      • Gordon River Greenway
  • Nature Center
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Coupons
      • Daily Programs
      • Electric Boat Tours
      • Dalton Discovery Center
      • Wildlife Hospital Exhibits
      • Ferguson Learning Lab
      • Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh
      • Smith Preserve
      • FAQs
    • Special Programs
      • Evenings at the Conservancy
      • Little Explorers
      • Group Tours
      • Family Fun Days
    • Kayaks
    • Offsite Programs
      • Rookery Bay Eco-Cruise
      • Nature Walks
      • Request Speaker
  • Climate Solutions
    • Growing Climate Solutions
  • Events
    • Annual Meeting
    • Earth Day
    • Magic Under the Mangroves
      • Magic Committee
      • Patron Party
      • History of Magic
    • RedSnook
      • RedSnook - Rules
      • RedSnook Guide List
      • RedSnook History
      • Launch Sites
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
      • Join
      • Renew
      • Leadership Circle
    • Donate
      • Monthly Giving
      • Planned Giving
        • Gift Options
        • Planned Giving Committee
        • The Eagle Society
      • Amazon Wish List
      • Send an eCard
      • Donor Privacy
      • Matching Gifts
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Application
      • Volunteer of the Month
    • Corporate Sponsors
  • Donate
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our President's Message
    • Our Board
    • Strategic Solutions - Vision 2025
    • Staff
    • Work Here
      • Openings
      • Internships
        • Internships for Non-U.S. Citizens
    • Financials
    • Communications
      • In the News
      • Publications
        • Research Documents
        • Publication Archives
      • Media Tools
  • Our Work
    • Science
      • Water Monitoring
        • Naples Bay
        • Lakewatch
      • Mangrove Restoration
        • Clam Bay
        • Fruit Farm Creek
        • Pine Island Sound
        • Development Effects
        • Hurricane Effects
      • Urban Ecology
        • Golf Course Ecology
        • Filter Marsh
        • Smith Preserve Management
      • Western Everglades
        • Refugia Project
        • Picayune Strand Restoration
        • Southern Golden Gate Estates
      • Invasive Species
        • Burmese pythons
          • Burrow Borrowers
        • Cane toads
      • Wildlife Research
        • Loggerheads
        • Kemp's ridleys
        • Everglades Mink
        • Anuran
        • Remote Camera Survey
        • American Alligator
      • Science Blog
    • Policy
      • Take Action
      • Eye on the Issues
      • Eastern Collier County
      • Wetland Protection
      • Water Quality
        • Now or Neverglades
        • Lake O Ripple Effect
          • Stop the Ripple Effect
          • EAA Reservoir
        • Standards & Impaired Waters
        • Fertilizer Ordinance
        • Stormwater Regulation
        • Naples Bay & Gordon River
        • TMDLs and BMAPs
      • Land Conservation
        • Florida Forever
        • Conservation Collier
        • Edison Farms
        • Rural Lands Stewardship Area
      • Wildlife Protection
        • Florida Panther
          • Compensation program
        • Black Bears
        • Manatees
        • Lime Rock / Sand Mining
        • Eastern Collier Habitat
      • Smart Growth
      • Policy Blog
    • Wildlife Hospital
      • Wildlife Hospital FAQ
      • Pelican Protection
      • Animal Acceptance Policy
      • What We Do
      • Wish List
      • Volunteer at Wildlife Hospital
      • Wildlife Blog
    • Education
      • Virtual Learning
      • Summer Camp
      • Field Trips
        • Pricing & Info
        • Registration
      • School Outreach
        • Pricing & Info
        • Registration
      • Teacher Workshops
      • Teacher Resources
      • Education Blog
    • IMPACT
      • Edison Farms
      • Peace River Refuge
      • Mangrove Restoration
      • Western Everglades
      • Clean Water
      • Wildlife Protection
      • Rookery Bay
      • Gordon River Greenway
  • Nature Center
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Coupons
      • Daily Programs
      • Electric Boat Tours
      • Dalton Discovery Center
      • Wildlife Hospital Exhibits
      • Ferguson Learning Lab
      • Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh
      • Smith Preserve
      • FAQs
    • Special Programs
      • Evenings at the Conservancy
      • Little Explorers
      • Group Tours
      • Family Fun Days
    • Kayaks
    • Offsite Programs
      • Rookery Bay Eco-Cruise
      • Nature Walks
      • Request Speaker
  • Climate Solutions
    • Growing Climate Solutions
  • Events
    • Annual Meeting
    • Earth Day
    • Magic Under the Mangroves
      • Magic Committee
      • Patron Party
      • History of Magic
    • RedSnook
      • RedSnook - Rules
      • RedSnook Guide List
      • RedSnook History
      • Launch Sites
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
      • Join
      • Renew
      • Leadership Circle
    • Donate
      • Monthly Giving
      • Planned Giving
        • Gift Options
        • Planned Giving Committee
        • The Eagle Society
      • Amazon Wish List
      • Send an eCard
      • Donor Privacy
      • Matching Gifts
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Application
      • Volunteer of the Month
    • Corporate Sponsors
  • Donate

ANIMAL ACCEPTANCE POLICY

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital (vAWH) at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is permitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USWFS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to rehabilitate and release injured, sick, and orphaned native birds, mammals and reptiles.


Our rehabilitation efforts provide the means for us to educate the public about conservation issues affecting Southwest Florida’s Wildlife.

State and Federal permits do not cover domestics (dogs, cats, parrots) or non-native wildlife species (Muscovy ducks, Eurasian collared doves, iguanas, English house sparrows, European starlings). The vAWH may be able to help rescuers find options for animals it is not permitted to accept.

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital accepts native mammals, reptiles and birds raised as pets and will attempt to reverse any habituation/taming/imprinting. If efforts are unsuccessful and the hospital cannot find an appropriate permanent home or the animal is unable to survive back in the wild, it will humanely euthanize them.

Species frequently admitted include eastern cottontails, opossums, grey squirrels, brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, red-shouldered hawks, eastern screech owls, mourning doves, blue jays, gopher tortoises, and Florida red-bellied turtles.

  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our President's Message
    • Our Board
    • Strategic Solutions - Vision 2025
    • Staff
    • Work Here
      • Openings
      • Internships
        • Internships for Non-U.S. Citizens
    • Financials
    • Communications
      • In the News
      • Publications
        • Research Documents
        • Publication Archives
      • Media Tools
  • Our Work
    • Science
      • Water Monitoring
        • Naples Bay
        • Lakewatch
      • Mangrove Restoration
        • Clam Bay
        • Fruit Farm Creek
        • Pine Island Sound
        • Development Effects
        • Hurricane Effects
      • Urban Ecology
        • Golf Course Ecology
        • Filter Marsh
        • Smith Preserve Management
      • Western Everglades
        • Refugia Project
        • Picayune Strand Restoration
        • Southern Golden Gate Estates
      • Invasive Species
        • Burmese pythons
          • Burrow Borrowers
        • Cane toads
      • Wildlife Research
        • Loggerheads
        • Kemp's ridleys
        • Everglades Mink
        • Anuran
        • Remote Camera Survey
        • American Alligator
      • Science Blog
    • Policy
      • Take Action
      • Eye on the Issues
      • Eastern Collier County
      • Wetland Protection
      • Water Quality
        • Now or Neverglades
        • Lake O Ripple Effect
          • Stop the Ripple Effect
          • EAA Reservoir
        • Standards & Impaired Waters
        • Fertilizer Ordinance
        • Stormwater Regulation
        • Naples Bay & Gordon River
        • TMDLs and BMAPs
      • Land Conservation
        • Florida Forever
        • Conservation Collier
        • Edison Farms
        • Rural Lands Stewardship Area
      • Wildlife Protection
        • Florida Panther
          • Compensation program
        • Black Bears
        • Manatees
        • Lime Rock / Sand Mining
        • Eastern Collier Habitat
      • Smart Growth
      • Policy Blog
    • Wildlife Hospital
      • Wildlife Hospital FAQ
      • Pelican Protection
      • Animal Acceptance Policy
      • What We Do
      • Wish List
      • Volunteer at Wildlife Hospital
      • Wildlife Blog
    • Education
      • Virtual Learning
      • Summer Camp
      • Field Trips
        • Pricing & Info
        • Registration
      • School Outreach
        • Pricing & Info
        • Registration
      • Teacher Workshops
      • Teacher Resources
      • Education Blog
    • IMPACT
      • Edison Farms
      • Peace River Refuge
      • Mangrove Restoration
      • Western Everglades
      • Clean Water
      • Wildlife Protection
      • Rookery Bay
      • Gordon River Greenway
  • Nature Center
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Coupons
      • Daily Programs
      • Electric Boat Tours
      • Dalton Discovery Center
      • Wildlife Hospital Exhibits
      • Ferguson Learning Lab
      • Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh
      • Smith Preserve
      • FAQs
    • Special Programs
      • Evenings at the Conservancy
      • Little Explorers
      • Group Tours
      • Family Fun Days
    • Kayaks
    • Offsite Programs
      • Rookery Bay Eco-Cruise
      • Nature Walks
      • Request Speaker
  • Climate Solutions
    • Growing Climate Solutions
  • Events
    • Annual Meeting
    • Earth Day
    • Magic Under the Mangroves
      • Magic Committee
      • Patron Party
      • History of Magic
    • RedSnook
      • RedSnook - Rules
      • RedSnook Guide List
      • RedSnook History
      • Launch Sites
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
      • Join
      • Renew
      • Leadership Circle
    • Donate
      • Monthly Giving
      • Planned Giving
        • Gift Options
        • Planned Giving Committee
        • The Eagle Society
      • Amazon Wish List
      • Send an eCard
      • Donor Privacy
      • Matching Gifts
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Application
      • Volunteer of the Month
    • Corporate Sponsors
  • Donate

More about Wildlife Rehabilitation at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital

Volunteer

The team at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital relies on dedicated volunteers to help treat over 3,200 injured, sick or orphaned animals each year. Volunteer opportunities are diverse and challenging.

Learn more

Needed items

If you are unable to donate money and you would still like to help, please see our list of items that are always needed inside the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.

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

 

Wildlife Rehab

  • Donate to the hospital
  • Volunteer with us
  • Inside the Hospital
  • What we do
  • Tips to keep wildlife safe
  • Items we need
  • Wildlife blog

 

Please show Your Support!

  • Join
  • Donate
  • Volunteer

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

Take Action & Stay Informed

Stay connected!
*
*
*
*
  • Visit Us
  • Webmaster
  • Privacy Policy

©2019 Conservancy of Southwest Florida. All Rights Reserved

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida website uses cookies, tracking pixels and related technologies. Cookies are small data files that are served by our platform and stored on your device. Our site uses cookies dropped by us or third parties for a variety of purposes including to operate and personalize the website. Also, cookies may also be used to track how you use the site to target ads to you on other websites.