The Wildlife Rescue Center is permitted by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to treat sick and/or injured native Missouri mammals (except deer), nonvenomous reptiles and amphibians, water birds*, and game birds* for rehabilitation and release to the wild.
Wild Mammals
Missouri’s native mammals make up the bulk of our patients each year with the most common species being cottontail rabbits, eastern gray squirrels, and Virginia opossums. We also treat other species of squirrels including flying squirrels, and other small rodents like chipmunks, voles, mice, or shrews. Other mammals we see include groundhogs, beavers, badgers, bobcats, otters, bats, canids such as coyotes and fox, and more!
Wild Reptiles & Amphibians
We treat dozens of turtles each year. Most often we see box turtles, which live on land. We often also treat a variety of water turtles including snapping turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and red-eared sliders. Additionally, we see a variety of species of nonvenomous snakes, skinks, and lizards.
Missouri is home to a wide array of frogs and toads. Some common species we treat are tree frogs, American toads, and bullfrogs. We also treat salamanders, newts, and other sensitive amphibian species.
Wild Birds We Can Treat:
Wild Water Birds and Game Birds
The Wildlife Rescue Center is permitted to treat wild water and shore birds such as ducks, geese, herons, and pelicans. We also treat wild game birds such as turkey and quail.
Wild Birds We Can Not Treat: