The Growing Need for Support

This year, as in previous years, we have rescued hundreds of ocean-dwelling pelagic birds, emaciated and starving. Declining food sources, extreme weather patterns and rising temperatures are conditions placing wildlife at risk today. As San Luis Obispo County’s population grows, so too do interactions between humans and wildlife. Urban expansion is forcing animals into unfamiliar areas, creating dangerous situations for both people and animals. At Pacific Wildlife Care, we see these devastating effects firsthand.

In response, Pacific Wildlife Care provides medical services and educational messaging focused on how to safely assist wildlife in distress, coexistence with wildlife, and an understanding of wildlife species’ behaviors and habitats. For 40 years, we have been committed to ensuring animals receive the immediate and humane care they need to survive and thrive. Treatment of every animal rescued is only possible with your support.

A New Home for Pacific Wildlife Care

This year, we’ve seen a record number of animal intakes—over 3,000 animals from more than 200 species. Our current facility has exceeded its capacity and is challenged to meet the increasing demands of our services. We are excited to share our plans for a new facility, at a permanent site and more centrally-located, that will continue to be a community resource, but also allow for growth and more flexible space for the care of distressed wildlife into the future.

We’ve secured 10 acres at the northwest corner of Buckley Road and Esperanza Lane in San Luis Obispo for the Kim and Derrel Ridenour Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. At full build-out, this new facility will encompass 18,000 SF of building space, including 9,900 SF of external animal enclosures.

We are now in the final stages of planning with the County Planning Department set to issue construction permits soon. We are on track to break ground in early 2025, and to date, nearly 75 generous donors have contributed $5.8 million of the $7 million goal needed for the first phase of construction. Now your support is urgently needed to help us reach this goal.

How You Can Help

We are asking for you to consider a blended gift for today and for tomorrow.

Donate for Today: Your year-end gift will make a difference for the remainder of this year by funding medical treatment, food and shelter that these animals desperately need to recover. Would you consider matching your year-end gift from last year or an additional gift of $100, $250, or $500 in support of immediate needs today?

Donate for Tomorrow: Would you also consider matching the “today” gift to help fund the construction of the new facility, ensuring that we are prepared to meet the future needs of people and wildlife in our community?

Thank You

Thank you for consideration of a blended year-end gift in support of the welfare of wildlife today and into the future. We deeply appreciate your additional support and confidence in our mission. Together, we can ensure Pacific Wildlife Care is a beacon of hope for animals in need, no matter what challenges lie ahead.