Florida Wildlife Hospital

Florida Wildlife Hospital FWH is a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabbing and releasing Florida’s native wildlife.

We're jumping into squirrel season! Here are some reminders:❗️If you see a squirrel with blood, it is covered in bugs, o...
08/30/2025

We're jumping into squirrel season! Here are some reminders:

❗️If you see a squirrel with blood, it is covered in bugs, or it has been in a cat or dog’s mouth, please bring it to a local licensed rehabber immediately. You can find licensed wildlife rehabbers through the Animal Help Now App or by contacting your local wildlife agencies.

🚫Do NOT give them food or water. Many times we recieve patients from people who tried to care for it themselves and by doing so the patient was aspirated (liquid or food entered the lungs) while trying to feed them.

🌳Renest is Best! Here are some tips on renesting baby squirrels:
- Squirrels have multiple nest in an area and they are usually found in palm trees or tall trees (made of moss, pine needles, and sticks).
- Try to reunite babies with mom by playing baby squirrel cries, we have a helpful video on our youtube page! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkxML2VyqU
- You can make a temporary nest out of plastic containers (add drainage holes) or small basket lined with grass and attach it to a shaded tree.
- If after 4 hours the babies are still there bring them to your local licensed rehabber, you can find one on the Animal Help Now app.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at 321-254-8843, we are more than happy to help!

08/29/2025

🐾 Happy Freedom Friday 🐾

This young opossum was ready to get back into the wild! Opossums are an important animal to have around! They eat ticks which helps to cut down on lyme disease. They are immune to snake venom and are nature's clean up crew. As omnivores they eat a variety of things including roaches, mice, fallen fruit, and more!

On this Thankful Thursday, we would like to thank CL Best Bees for helping to remove a hive from one of our pre-release ...
08/28/2025

On this Thankful Thursday, we would like to thank CL Best Bees for helping to remove a hive from one of our pre-release enclosures. We definitely did not want to kill them but we also need the enclosure for our patients. They were safely removed and will continue pollinating somewhere.

As many of you know, last year was a record-breaking year for our hospital, taking in 7,489 patients. This year we are o...
08/26/2025

As many of you know, last year was a record-breaking year for our hospital, taking in 7,489 patients. This year we are on track to beat that previous record.

The Florida Wildlife Hospital has admitted 5,401 patients in the last 8 months and received 5,160 calls (as of today), and that has all been through our TWO front desk/intake staff. They have handled over 10,500 interactions between in-person and phone communications.

In addition to handling intakes, they also assist with organizing rescue request and communication with local officials (FL Fish & Wildlife, Department of Health, Animal Services, etc.). Even doing their own re-nest for patients such as young birds and squirrels.

We are incredibly thankful to have such a great team but there’s only so much that can be done at once! We ask that you show kindness, patience, and respect to our front desk staff as they work so hard to help our local wildlife.

🐢 Our Gopher Tortoise patient is looking dapper in their bandage "suspenders" 🎩Patient 25-4420 was brought in after suff...
08/25/2025

🐢 Our Gopher Tortoise patient is looking dapper in their bandage "suspenders" 🎩

Patient 25-4420 was brought in after suffering injuries from a dog attack. They have wounds on their plastron (bottom of shell) which is why they have bandages to ensure the wounds heal properly.

As a reminder, for your pets and our wildlife's safety, please check your yard before taking your pets outside or keep them on a leash.

08/23/2025

We are devastated to announce that we lost Takoda, our Southern Flying Squirrel. Takoda was the hospital's first mammal ambassador, joining our team in 2021. We unfortunately do not know the cause of his passing; our vet staff performed a necropsy and found no clear answers. We are sending out samples for histology, cytology, and toxicology in hopes of gaining more understanding.

The word "Takoda" means friend to everyone, and that he was. Although a nocturnal animal, he would come out for training "hand" jumping and gliding to his trainer's hands to grab a mealworm, nut or fruit. He would peak from his nest box to observe volunteers/staff below in his enclosure, always so curious. Takoda educated around 3,073 people about flying squirrels and nocturnal animals in our area. His big eyes and friendly personality will be missed.

Please send your thoughts and prayers for those who worked with him, we are all heartbroken. 💔

08/22/2025

🐢 Hatchling Softshell Turtle Release 🐢

Did you know that reptiles are on their own from the day they hatch?

Chelonians are born ready to take on the world, so don't worry if you see a hatchling tortoise or turtle without its mom, it can survive just fine on its own. You should only bring a hatchling to a licensed wildlife rehabber if it has an injury, blood or ants on it.

On this Thankful Thursday, we would like to thank Bubb's Ponds for helping to keep our pond clear and healthy. They come...
08/21/2025

On this Thankful Thursday, we would like to thank Bubb's Ponds for helping to keep our pond clear and healthy. They come out in the heat and work hard to keep us looking good. Thanks! We love AquaScape products.

🦦 Thank you for capturing FWH’s otter release! 🦦We’re so happy to get these two orphaned otters back into the wild! ...
08/18/2025

🦦 Thank you for capturing FWH’s otter release! 🦦

We’re so happy to get these two orphaned otters back into the wild!

🚨 What to Do If You See Someone Abusing Wildlife 🐾We have had a few animal abuse cases admitted to the hospital recently...
08/17/2025

🚨 What to Do If You See Someone Abusing Wildlife 🐾

We have had a few animal abuse cases admitted to the hospital recently. Unfortunately, law enforcement was not able to do anything because they did not have enough evidence. Wild animals deserve respect and protection. If you witness someone hurting, harassing, or illegally keeping wildlife, don’t confront them directly — instead, take action safely and responsibly:

📸 Document what you see – If it's safe to do so, take photos or videos and note the location, date, time, and a description of the incident.

📞 Report it – In Florida, you can call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). You can also text or email [email protected].

🛑 Never attempt to rehabilitate wildlife yourself – Injured or stressed animals can be dangerous. If it is safe to do so, you can transport an injured animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or if you are unsure what to do contact a licensed wildlife rehabber for help.

By speaking up, you can help protect wild animals from harm and ensure that those who mistreat them are held accountable. 💚

Address

4560 N US Highway 1
Palm Shores, FL
32935

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13212548843

Website

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