July 31, 2012
About South Florida Wildlife Center
Helping wildlife in South Florida
Protecting wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, and education
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About the center
Founder Bea Humphries began rescuing and caring for animals long before the center was incorporated in October 1969. For 19 years, she worked from her home, and her garage served as the first wildlife rehabilitation center.
As the number of animal patients increased, Bea realized that a larger facility was needed. With some help she began to establish what would become the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc., operating as the Wild Bird Center. The center grew and eventually moved to its current location in Fort Lauderdale. In the 1980s, the board of directors changed the name to the Wildlife Care Center to better describe our work.
The South Florida Wildlife Center serves southeast Florida through rescue, rehabilitation, and release services for native wildlife at no cost to citizens. We're open every day of the year and admit nearly 13,000 injured, orphaned, abandoned, or abused wild animals or per year. We are completely funded by private donations.
The center has up to 60 employees, up to 650 active volunteers, and three full-time ambulances. Our 4.1-acre property houses up to 875 animals at any given time in dozens of habitats and rehabilitation areas. Our goal is to release fully rehabilitated wildlife back to nature.
Our state-of-the-art wildlife nursery admits up to 120 orphaned, abandoned, or displaced baby animals a day during baby season. Once the animals are admitted, our trained rehabilitators and veterinary technicians hand-feed and treat them around the clock. This is no small task, given the huge numbers of wild animals displaced as a direct result of unprecedented land development in south Florida.
Educating the public
The South Florida Wildlife Center receives approximately 150 phone calls reporting injured wildlife and requesting information about animals and the environment each day. Trained staff informs the public about environmental concerns, wildlife problems, and ways in which people and wildlife can peacefully coexist. The Center regularly participates in public events with displays, exhibits, and literature.
Finding homes for abandoned animals
In addition to treating native wildlife, the SFWC assists certain non-native animals in finding just the right home. Because these animals were kept as pets and/or are not native to Florida, they cannot be released into the wild.
While we don't accept dogs or cats, we have an extensive adoption program to offer a second chance to a wide variety of surrendered or abandoned animals. Our goal is to find these animals life-long, loving homes. Learn more»
Executive staff
Sherry L. Schlueter, Executive Director
Diane Shawcross, Director of Development
Dr. Stefan Harsch, Director of Clinic Operations
Elizabeth Lockwood, Director of Operations
Board of directors
Jeffrey J. Arciniaco, President & Board Chair
Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO, The Humane Society of the United States
Debra Parsons-Drake, Director, Business Operations, Animal Care Centers
Melissa Rubin, Vice President, Animal Care Centers and Veterinary Services
Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax
As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability, SFWC makes available its most recent IRS Form 990. The document is available for download in PDF format below.
Please note: these are large files and may be slow to download:
2010 IRS Form 990
2009 IRS Form 990
2008 IRS Form 990