Florida Wildlife Center Rescues 1,000 Animals in 4 Months

A wildlife rescue center in Bradenton Beach, Florida is experiencing an incredible surge in animal rescues, proving that communities care deeply about their wild neighbors.

Wildlife Inc., a nonprofit that's been helping injured animals for 38 years, has already treated more than 1,000 creatures in just the first four months of 2026. The center typically rescues around 3,000 animals each year, which means they're ahead of schedule and facing their busiest season yet.

"Animals belong in this area," said Gail Straight, who co-founded Wildlife Inc. with her husband Ed. "They were here way before we were and they're good for the environment."

The center currently houses an incredible variety of patients, including 100 opossums, 21 squirrels, 8 raccoons, 7 owls, and 4 eagles. Many arrive after window strikes, car accidents, or encounters with fishing gear, while baby opossums often lose their mothers during spring's busy season.

Caring for these animals requires serious resources. A single eagle eats $82 worth of food each week. One pelican recently underwent a $200 surgery to remove a fishing hook from its belly. A baby owl will consume over $1,500 in food before it's ready to fly free again.

The Ripple Effect

What started in Gail and Ed's backyard has grown into Manatee County's primary wildlife rehabilitation center. Beyond rescue work, Wildlife Inc. maintains eight educational birds that visit schools and community events, teaching thousands of children about local wildlife each year.

Volunteers like Mads Bayard and Jill St. John make it all possible. They weigh animals, prepare meals following careful nutrition charts, monitor recovery progress, and transport injured wildlife to the center. St. John, who's volunteered for over eight years, says the best moments come at release time.

"It just gives you goosebumps," she said.

The organization spends at least $50,000 annually on food alone, plus thousands more on medicine and transportation. They're actively seeking new volunteers, especially people who can help transport injured animals to the facility.

If you find injured wildlife, Wildlife Inc. encourages you to call them, stay with the animal until help arrives, or carefully transport it to their Bradenton Beach location in a box.

Every rescue represents hope returning to the wild, one healed wing at a time.