Bay Area Wildlife Center Seeks Lifesaving Animal Donations

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Some patients fit in the palm of a hand at this hospital. Others arrive wrapped in towels after being rescued by good Samaritans.

Together, raccoons, squirrels, birds, and countless other wild animals fill the Lindsay Wildlife Experience's hospital each year and caregivers say community donations play a critical role in helping them survive.

This week's "Patient of the Week" is an Eastern fox squirrel rescued after becoming trapped in a snap trap that had been set to catch rats around a bird feeder. A community member brought the squirrel to Lindsay Wildlife, where veterinarians began treating its injuries.

The Walnut Creek-based wildlife hospital also treats hundreds of raccoons each year — just like Jimothy of social media notoriety, making them one of its most common patients during the busy wildlife rehabilitation season.

The organization is asking the public to donate food, medical supplies, and other essentials to support the animals' care.

The hospital is currently seeking donations of:

• Fresh eggs
• Chicken thighs
• Dry dog or cat food
• Heating pads
• Unused baby bottles
• Flea and tick prevention products
• Brown paper bags
• Unused Ziploc bags in sandwich, quart, or gallon sizes
• Financial contributions
• Gift cards to retailers such as Costco, Safeway, or Sam's Club

The wildlife center also encourages supporters to purchase items directly through its online Amazon wish list, which contains frequently needed supplies for treating injured wildlife.

The donation appeal comes as the hospital continues treating animals injured by preventable human hazards.

The community can also help by the way they interact with wildlife, urban or otherwise.

Since the beginning of the year, the wildlife hospital has admitted more than 50 animals injured through encounters with inhumane traps intended for rodents.

Wildlife experts recommend homeowners use pest-safe bird feeders, seal entry points that allow rodents into homes, or hire professionals to close gaps instead of relying on snap traps, which can injure squirrels, birds, and other non-target wildlife.

Founded in 1955, the Lindsay Wildlife Experience operates one of Northern California's busiest wildlife rehabilitation hospitals, caring for thousands of native wild animals each year while providing educational programs that connect visitors with local wildlife.

Hospital staff say every donation, whether it's food, medical supplies, or financial support, helps give injured raccoons, squirrels, and countless other wild animals a better chance of returning to their natural habitat.