Founded in 1991, Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) has cared for injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife rescued from throughout the Northern California region. Our dedication to return these wild animals back to their natural habitat strengthens the ecosystems we share. Permitted by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, our Wildlife Intake Center (WIC) has provided compassionate care and a second chance to more than 51,110 wildlife, and counting, since 1991.
Who we help:
What we do:
Why it's important:
Rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife while advancing public awareness and understanding of the critical role of wildlife within the ecosystems we share.
Northern California has some of the state’s most abundant and diverse wildlife. This is a source of pride and multiple benefits for our region as well as our state. With this wealth, however, comes a responsibility to protect our native wildlife, who need our help now more than ever. Wildfires, climate change, drought, and habitat loss threaten every species and have dramatically increased the number of wild animals requiring treatment.
In 1991, the year that Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) was founded, the population of Placer County was 180,000 people. At that time, GCWR cared for approximately 300 animals annually.
Today, Placer County’s population has more than doubled, and GCWR now receives orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife from throughout the surrounding region.
Compounding the impact of the growing demand for care and resources is an increase in the severity of the animal’s injuries. This results in a requirement for more extensive and continuous care along with longer rehabilitation times. This, in turn, requires more space to house the animals, overwhelming the capacity of our current facility. To continue operations and meet this growing demand, GCWR relies on grant funding awards, donations, volunteers, and community outreach to support our mission. Our central areas of need:
• Resources. The essential food, medicine, supplies, and caging to house and care for approximately 4,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year.
• Staffing. Staffing costs for the trained Wildlife Intake Center Technicians who are responsible for the intake and day-to-day care of the wildlife at our facility. Our Wildlife Intake Center Technicians, supported by a robust program of trained volunteers and interns, provide continuity and efficiency to our operations, ensuring that we can remain open 365 days a year.
• Capital Campaign. Our Wildlife Intake Center is located at the former Placer County Animal Shelter, a 60-year-old building with limited space that requires significant maintenance to properly function as a wildlife rehabilitation center. In 2020, we purchased the property and can now redirect funds to maintain this building towards a facility that we own rather than lease.
• Summit University stands as our cutting-edge apex predator rehabilitation center, specifically crafted with room for up to 10 Black Bear cubs. Almost as soon as the initial phase was finished, orphaned cubs required a safe haven for their winter rehabilitation. Once these bears are ready for release, we'll swiftly proceed to complete the remaining aspects of the facility.
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Statement
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue is committed to embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment for employees, volunteers, Board members, and supporters. In our interconnected world, the ability to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds is crucial for our community, organization, and planet.
We believe that a truly inclusive and equitable workplace is one where everyone—regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation or identity, race, religion/spirituality, socio-economic status, national origin, education, or disability—feels valued and respected.
To create this environment, we strive to:
- Engage in dialogue internally and through collaboration with other organizations and community stakeholders, to understand our common values, our differences, and how we can work together, equitably and inclusively, to achieve common goals that include the protection of our environment and the native wildlife that contribute to our shared ecosystems.
- Foster leadership within our Board of Directors, leading by example as members of our organization and community.
- Respect and value diverse experiences, ensuring all voices are heard and appreciated.
- Cultivate a safe, supportive space by promoting equity, inclusivity, and a zero-tolerance stance against discrimination, harassment, and bullying.
- Support fair wages for our employees and encourage an atmosphere of respect and tolerance.
- Prioritize transparent communication in all interactions.
- Advocate for board-level awareness of systemic inequities and their impact on our mission.
- Recognize that diversity, inclusion, and equity are integral to our mission's success and vital for the well-being of our staff and the communities we serve.
Organization name
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue
other names
GCWR
1991
Tax id (EIN)
68-0259665
Mission Category
Animal Related
Operating Budget
$1,000,001-$5 million
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted
Demographics Served
Animals, General population
Local Counties Served
El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo
Address
11251 B AvenueOther
P.O. Box 4162Placer, CA, US
El Dorado, CA, US
Sacramento, CA, US
Yolo, CA, US
Nevada County, CA, US