About Us

California has some of the most abundant and diverse wildlife in the U.S.; this is a source of pride and multiple benefits for the state. With this wealth, however, comes a responsibility, to protect our native wildlife, who need our help now more than ever. Wildfires, climate change, drought and habitat loss threaten every species and have dramatically increased the numbers of animals requiring treatment annually.

In 1991, the year that Gold Country Wildlife Rescue was founded, the population of Placer County was 180,000 people.  At that time GCWR handled approximately 300 animals annually.

Today, the County’s population has more than doubled, now exceeding 410,300 people. At the same time, the demands on GCWR have increased twelvefold, with 3,700 animals cared for in 2020, and more than 12,000 calls from people needing assistance with wildlife. As of November 2021 these numbers further increased with over 5000 animals cared for.

But that’s not the whole story.  Compounding the impact of the growing demand for care (and resources) is an increase in the severity of the animals’ injuries seen. This results in a requirement for more extensive and continuous care along with longer rehabilitation times.  This, in turn, requires more space to house the animals, overwhelming the capacity of the current facility’s space and infrastructure.

2018 was the first year we provided acute medical and rehabilitative care to the wildlife victims including a bobcat and two gray foxes that sustained burns and injuries from the Camp Fire in Butte County. In 2020, we provided care for a bear cub, a gray fox, a bobcat, and two coyotes that suffered burns and injuries sustained in wildfires that impacted multiple counties across Northern California. It was at this time that we became a member organization of Wildlife Disaster Network (founded 2020). In 2021 our number of burn patients increased, with us taking in ten more wildfire victims (the most in one year to date). These victims included 3 black bear cubs leading California Department of Fish and Wildlife to grant GCWR our permanent bear cub rehabilitation permit.

Coinciding with the rapid rise in the number of animals being treated annually, GCWR has transformed itself from a small seasonal rescue and rehabilitation operation to a remarkably high-functioning organization that is open 365 days a year. GCWR has remained financially solvent throughout this period of transformation, which has been brought about by staff and by a dedicated group of volunteers who provide more than 35,000 hours of service each year.  In 2020, GCWR acquired a 15-acre property in Auburn and secured the donation of eight modular units that will be used for emergency wildlife intake, veterinary care, rehabilitation, education, and administrative offices.

As we look ahead, it is clear that the forces of change negatively affecting wildlife will continue, and that the growth curve in numbers of animals needing care will continue to rise markedly.