July - 2009
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Wildlife Hotline
614-793-WILD
(9453)          

Who We Are

Ohio Wildlife Center (OWC) is a leader in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education.  We treat nearly 5,000 animals in our wildlife hospital every year and reach thousands of adults and children through education programs. 
 
OWC is a private, non-profit organization. We rely almost entirely on the generosity of individual and corporate donors, private grants, endowments and service fees. Thank you for your support! 

On behalf of OWC's staff and volunteers, please join us in extending our deepest condolences to the Swanagan family on the loss of Jeff Swanagan, Director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  He was a great partner and advocate for all wildlife and for the Ohio Wildlife Center.  He will be greatly missed.  Click here for additional information.    

Current Animal Issues

A recent press release from the Ohio Division of Wildlife reiterates the need for people who want to help native wildlife to ask questions prior to intervening.  The goal is to keep the "wild" in wildlife.  Click here for more info.

In related news, the Ohio Division of Wildlife has also stated that wildlife rehabilitators cannot rehabilitate injured or orphaned fawns.  Healthy fawns should be left alone.  Injured fawns can be admitted for euthanasia only.  For further information, click here, or contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

2009 WildNite for Wildlife

Thank you to everyone who made the 2009 WildNite for Wildlife such a wonderful success!  We want to thank the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for hosting the event, and we want to thank our keynote speaker, Jack Hanna, for a wonderfully entertaining evening.

The event raised nearly $50,000 for OWC.  We appreciate the continued support from our corporate and individual sponsors, auction donors and winners, attendees and volunteers.  It is because of your continued support that we are celebrating our 25th year!

The feedback from the evening was very positive!  Everyone had a wonderful time during the evening; from watching the flamingos and other animals parade through the room, to participating in the silent and live auctions, to celebrating Sue Anderson’s volunteer achievements, and especially listening to the passionate speeches made by Dr. Burton and Jack Hanna. 

Click here for a full list of our Auction Item Donors.  See photos below and on our Events page! 


2009 WildNite for Wildlife Photos

Donor Privacy Policy

Ohio Wildlife Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  All charitable donations are tax-deductible.

Our most important asset is our donors’ trust, and we are committed to maintaining the trust and confidence of our current, former and prospective donors.  We respect donor privacy by keeping personal and gift information secure, and using it only as our donors and members would want us to.  Anyone who contributes to Ohio Wildlife Center will:

  • Be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  • Receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition, unless the donor requests that their gift be anonymous.
  • Be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality.
  • Be assured that we permit only a limited number of authorized employees, who are trained in the proper handling of donor information and who understand the confidential nature of said information, to have access to donor information.  Employees who violate our Donor Privacy Policy are subject to disciplinary action.
  • Receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers to any questions relative to their donation.
  • Be assured that Ohio Wildlife Center does not sell, lease or rent its member lists, and will not do so in the future.

For more infomation or if you have questions, please contact our development department at 614-734-9453.

Ohio Wildlife Center never sells, rents, trades or otherwise shares our supporters’ names, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, or other personal information with any other organization.  Ohio Wildlife Center also never sends out mailings on behalf of other organizations.

Red-Tailed Hawk Release photos

The Easiest Ways to Help Doing Every Day Things
A collection of all of the newest happenings at OWC! What companies in our area are supporting OWC and how can YOU get involved just by shopping?
» Click here for more information

Immediate Need!
Ohio Wildlife Center and Humane Wildlife Solutions are making a plea for a donated vehicle. Please read on for more information on this tax-deductible donation wish.
» Click here for more information

Peregrine falcon takes flight again
A peregrine falcon that the Ohio Wildlife Center treated for a fractured wing was released back into the wild on August 22.
» Click here for more information

Webelos Build Bat Boxes for OWC
See OWC's newest animal shelter, hand-made by fifth graders in Pack 200.
» Click here for more information

Correctional Facility Animal Care Program in Need of Supplies
With the volume of animals brought into OWC's hospital every year, our correctional facility animal care program is necessary to care for thousands of animals before they can be released. Unfortunately, this program has recently lost funding and we are in need of supplies. Please help!
» Click here for more information

OWC on Linked In
Join OWC's Group on Linked In, and get involved in the Discussion!
» Click here for more information
The Red-tailed hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout North America. It is generally non-aggressive toward humans and other birds and is an opportunistic feeder with a diet mostly of small mammals. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and can be avoided by keeping garbage and compost piles secure, and keeping pet food inside. Photo by Scott Schisler American bullfrogs are common in Ohio and recognized by their deep, throaty song. Photo by Dr. Don Burton Canada goslings are born in the spring and by fall are mature and ready to fly south with their flock. Photo by Katherine Clifton Coyotes were introduced to Ohio and have thrived in urban environments. This coyote, Hope, was unreleasable because she was hand-raised by humans before sent to OWC, and so lacks certain survival skills. Photo by Sue Simunich Mother deer tell their fawns to stay still and low (often curled up) all day while she is away. She will return at dusk and likely move them to a new spot. This is a safety precaution for the fawns, but many times fawns are mistaken to be orphans because of it. Photo by Scott Schisler Black rat snakes are native Ohio snakes. This snake resides at OWC because of injuries that would compromise its ability to survive in the wild. Photo by Sue Simunich. The Chukar is a game-bird in the pheasant family, originally from Asia but introduced to the United States. This Chukar is Tori, who resides at OWC. Photo by Sue Simuncich This male American Kestrel also resides at OWC and can be seen at the center’s outdoor wildlife display. Photo by Deb Keller You may see Eastern Gray squirrels like this in your backyard, consuming seeds, acorns, insects, eggs and other nuts. Photo by Sue Simunich The population of the Leopard frog is decreasing due to pollution and deforestation. They are often good indicators for environmental problems because of their sensitivity to chemical pollutants found both in the air and the water. Photo by Sue Simunich Most Snapping turtles eat plants, small mammals, fish and birds and are quick to take off your finger if you get too close. Photo by Sue Simunich Despite what it looks like, those big tuffs on the top of this Great-horned owl’s head are not ears. To predators, they may look like an easy way to grab the owl, but they are actually just feathers. Photo by Sue Simunich The American Bald Eagle is an endangered species. Photo by Katherine Clifton Male Cardinals are recognized by their bright red appearance. Photo by Scott Schisler The Eastern Fox snake resides in Ohio, Michigan and parts of Canada in flat, marshy areas. Fox snakes will eat primarily small rodents, but will also eat small birds, rabbits and other small animals. Photo by Sue Simunich The wings of the male Kestrel are slate-blue. Females are rusty to match the back feathers. Photo by Deb Keller Flying squirrels are one of the most common squirrels in Ohio, although they are rarely seen because they are nocturnal (meaning they are awake at night time). Photo by Deb Keller Red fox kits stay with their mother and siblings for several months and then go off on their own typically in July. Foxes are generally shy animals. Photo by Scott Schisler The Painted turtle is a reptile that is common in southern Canada, the US, and Mexico and is related to other water turtles like sliders and cooters. They live in ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms. Photo by Deb Keller Great horned owls hunt at night by waiting on a high perch to swoop down on prey. They eat small to medium-sized mammals like rats, voles, skunks and rabbits. Photo by Deb Keller Blanding’s turtles are a semi-aquatic species found mostly near the Great Lakes regions. Photo by Sue Simunich The Virginia Opossum is about the size of a house cat and “plays dead” as a defense mechanism from predators. Photo by Sue Simunich White-tailed deer have been forced to adapt to urban environments as their natural home is being destroyed by human development. Photo by Katherine Clifton Canada geese are dedicated parents and very social. When one goose is fatigued while flying, they will make sure it is not alone while it rests and will fly in shifts. Photo by Katherine Clifton Bobwhite quails are ground-dwelling birds found in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Photo by Deb Keller Raccoon mothers will call out to their young should they fall from a tree or get lost. As long as she sees them or hears their cries, she will do whatever it takes to retrieve them. Photo by Owen DeWolfe In flight, Red-tailed hawks flap as little as possible to conserve energy. Their flight is slow and deliberate, with deep beats of their wings. Photo by David Harrison The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people. (birds.cornell.edu) Photo by Tripp Braden