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.
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
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.
"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.