Desert Wildlife Center

07/24/2025

Big moment at the Desert Wildlife Center, we’ve admitted our very first patients! A Eurasian Collared Dove with head trauma arrived on opening day. After fluids, pain meds, and a nutrient-rich diet, this little fighter is already showing signs of improvement.

We also took in a young House Sparrow nestling after a failed renest attempt. After receiving supportive care, the sparrow was transferred to a rehabber with other nestlings for the best chance at recovery. Our doors are officially open, and we’re here for wildlife in need.

07/23/2025

The Desert Wildlife Center is now accepting injured wild birds for rehabilitation. If you find a bird in need, please call our helpline (760) 203-5500 to make an appointment. We are currently open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and we are accepting patients by appointment only.

While we look forward to expanding our care to include mammals and reptiles in the future, our current focus is on providing a calm and professional healing environment for wild birds. For the safety and recovery of these patients, public access to the facility is limited.

If you have questions or need guidance about baby birds, baby mammals, reptiles, coyotes, or other injured wildlife, our helpline is a great resource. Please note that it is not staffed around the clock, but we do our best to return calls within 12 hours, often much sooner. We are committed to protecting and rehabilitating the desert’s wildlife, and we’re honored to be a trusted resource for those who care about the wildlife that call this region home.

07/19/2025

Yesterday our DWC Helpline was buzzing with calls, resulting in some great community education (it is illegal to trim trees and shrubs with active nests, for example, and not all baby birds on the ground are orphaned - the parents are often nearby, observing their young as they navigate their newly discovered abilities to hop and fly). Three calls, however, resulted in transport of three juveniles in need of care - a dehydrated dove, a pigeon with soft tissue injuries (likely from hitting a glass door or window), and an owl with a wing injury. The effort to help these three was a collaborative and coordinated one, involving DrDavid Jeffrey and El Paseo Animal Hospital, Coachella Valley Animal Campus, The Pond Digger Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation, and Bear Paw Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation, DWC volunteers staffing the Helpline and providing transport of the dove and pigeon, and a community member who provided transportation of the owl. A regional rehabilitation flock is starting to come together, with so many different agencies and advocates. We are excited to watch it soar!

07/08/2025

Friends: Our wildlife needs extra help during the hot summer months. Please put out water with a rock in it so insects like bees can crawl out. (Change the water daily to avoid breeding mosquitoes). You will also be helping stray pets. Thank you for caring!

07/01/2025

We are excited to celebrate July 4th, but are also gearing up for lots of injured wildlife. There are many downsides to fireworks of all kinds - both big public displays and small personal fireworks "fun." The blasts and booms that are entertainment for some humans are torture for wildlife. Here are some of the tragic consequences:

Wildlife can die from the stress of loud noises.
Birds may abandon their nests and nestlings or fledglings out of fear or disorientation.
Wildlife can become ill or die from ingesting residue from fireworks.
Frightened animals may run onto roads and into buildings leading to serious injuries and even death (this is true of our companion animals as well!).
Fledglings may jump from their nests prematurely and become injured.
Fireworks debris will contaminate the soil and water for months following the 4th of July.

This year, and every year, let's celebrate our nation's independence safely and humanely. 🦅🦉🦇🐦🐇🐿🦨🪺🦝

06/19/2025

Happy National Pollinator week! 🦋

It’s National Pollinator Week!

Pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, bats, butterflies and other insects, play a crucial role in pollinating flowers and in the production of most fruits and vegetables. These small pollen movers are essential for healthy ecosystems. 🐝 🦋 🦇

Learn how you can play a role in creating a welcoming habitat for pollinators to thrive: https://www.fws.gov/initiative/pollinators/how-you-can-help

Photo by J. Jurado / NPS

06/12/2025

Have you found a young bird? Sometimes in an effort to help, we can do more harm. Fledgling birds, like this one, are cared for by their parents after they have left the nest and are learning to fly.
Unsure whether to intervene or whether to leave a young bird where you have found it? Call the Desert Wildlife Center helpline at 760-203-5500. We can guide you on the best course of action.
Thank you for caring for desert wildlife!



Photo credit: Mayukh Karmakar/Unsplash

05/19/2025

We are filled with gratitude for the incredible outpouring of support during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening at the Desert Wildlife Center! The turnout was incredible, and we were thrilled to share the progress we’ve made. Your enthusiasm and generosity not only made these events unforgettable but also helped us raise vital funds to purchase much-needed equipment for the center.

To everyone who joined us and to all who have supported our journey over the past year--THANK YOU. Your dedication and support is what makes our mission possible. Here’s to building a brighter future for our wildlife, together. 🐇🧡🦉

05/16/2025

A heartfelt THANK YOU to KESQ News Channel 3 and Peter Daut KESQ for shining a spotlight on the soon-to-open Desert Wildlife Center! This incredible news story showcases how our new facility will be a lifeline for injured and vulnerable wildlife in the Coachella Valley. From providing life-saving care to educating our community, the Desert Wildlife Center is here to make a difference.

Catch the full story and get an exclusive sneak peek inside this game-changing facility 👉

A new chapter in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is about to begin in the Coachella Valley. The Desert Wildlife Center is just days away from its grand opening. But before that happens, News Channel 3's Peter Daut got an exclusive sneak peak of the new, state-of-the-art facility in Indio, which o...

05/10/2025

It’s World Migratory Bird Day. We can all take steps to help birds thrive. Thank you for making a difference!

Today is World Migratory Bird Day!

This is a special day to celebrate and protect these incredible birds!

This year, the focus is making our cities, villages, towns, and communities, from rural to urban, more bird-friendly.

Click to learn about what you can do to help out feathered friends: https://www.migratorybirdday.org/

04/27/2025

We are so excited to announce that the opening of the Desert Wildlife Center is just a few weeks away! We are finishing up on our renovations and are waiting for our final approvals and permits. To celebrate, we are hosting a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, May 17th from 9-11AM. Please join us!

RSVP at https://form.jotform.com/251085486102150

04/24/2025

WARNING ⚠️ Disturbing Content ⚠️

This dove is yet another tragic victim of hedge and tree trimming. Her injury is significant and she may have to be humanely euthanized. Nesting season in our region begins in February, and for some species, runs through August. Additionally, birds and other wildlife rely on the cool shade of the foliage to survive the intense summer heat. Please do not trim trees and hedges during this time. Wait until September. Better for the trees, hedges, and wildlife ❤️‍🩹