After 21 years of wildlife rehabilitation, White Pine has decided to close. We will not be admitting any animals
or taking wildlife calls. We will continue to rehabilitate the animals that are currently in our care until they
are ready for release. At that point, we will begin the dissolution process and surrender our licenses.
We have enjoyed over two decades of wildlife rehabilitation but it has been a challenge to provide
quality service to the animals and people of Western Wisconsin while always on the brink of
insolvency. When White Pine did not have the money to pay a bill, we personally paid it. Over the years
we have gone through our personal savings, sold our stock, and borrowed from our life insurance policies
just to keep White Pine afloat.
We are no longer physically, emotionally or financially able to continue to operate White Pine, therefore the
doors will close. For all animal issues, please contact the DNR Information Center at 1-888-936-7463.
We appreciate the support we have received and thank everyone for all they have done to help care for the
critters.
White Pine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-deductible, registered charity.
We were supported entirely by private donations. We received no government funding, fees, or reimbursements.
White Pine operated as a volunteer organization. We rescued injured and orphaned wildlife, arranged for
veterinary care, provided proper nutrition and shelter, and prepared the animals for return to the wild. We also
presented many educational programs for schools, clubs and organizations to teach children and adults about wild animals, their behavior,
habitat, and the correct way to interact with the wildlife around us.
White Pine never charged for any of the services we provided. No animal was allowed to suffer needlessly.
Regardless of financial situation, any school or group could request an educational presentation.
White Pine admitted critters from 22 counties, and we were the only wildlife rehab center in this part of
the state. White Pine cared for between 800 and 1000 injured and orphaned wild animals per year,
presented approximately 50 educational programs annually and provided wildlife advice and
information to hundreds and hundreds of callers every year.
In May 2002 John & June Owens, Founders/Directors of White Pine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center,
received the 2001 West Central Wisconsin Natural Resources Award from the DNR.
