Animals In Distress Association & Ruth Melichar Bird Center

05/21/2026

Here are some reminders about what to do if you find ducklings in the Boise area! Remember-we’re always just a phone call away to help, so be sure to call us if you’re unsure what to do! 208-338-0897

05/14/2026

UPDATE: Thank you for the overwhelming support from donors…we have replenished our towel supply!

Our bird center is in need of towels…especially hand-towel sized ones! If you have any towels that you aren’t using and are still in good condition, please consider donating them so we can use them to care for the birds who spend time with us. Towels are important supplies that are used in a variety of ways…they make soft bin and basket liners; they are turned into comfy nests; they’re used as covers to darken areas to lessen stress or mimic hollows; and other things! If you have some towels to spare, feel free to bring them to the bird center during our business hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day). (Please make sure towels are textured like shown in the video because we want the birds to have something to grip and so they won’t slide or get hurt from slipping.)

05/04/2026

A little can go a long way when we get together and give together! Join us this week (May 4-7) in helping Idaho’s wildlife by donating to our Animals in Distress Association (AIDA) and Ruth Melichar Bird Center through ! Your donation of any amount through our Idaho Gives page directly helps the more than 3,000 injured and orphaned birds and animals that will come through our doors this year. Giving is quick and easy…just head over to the giving page (https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/animals-in-distress-association) to show your support. On behalf of the Treasure Valley’s birds and mammals, thank you for your kindness and generosity!

04/27/2026

Do you know any birds whoooooooo need our help? 🦉 We’re officially open for extended hours for our busy spring and summer season with our feathered friends! If you find an injured or orphaned bird in need, give us a call at 208-338-0897, and we’ll be happy to help. We’re at the center 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.! Please remember, it’s best to call the center for assistance as messages on our social channels can’t be checked right away! Thanks for helping us help our local wildlife! 🐦 🦅 🦆

04/16/2026

We're still smiling just thinking about our Baby Bird Shower! Join us in remembering such a special day by checking out our photo album from the event! Thank you again to everyone who helped make sure our baby bird season would start strong! See all the photos and learn more about the event in the photo album caption! 🐦

THANK YOU to everyone who attended this year's Baby Bird Shower! Hundreds came out to the center with shower gifts of seed, paper products, soap and gift cards, and many generously supported our raffles with monetary donations. We also have been getting donations from our Amazon Wish List and via online donations! Everything that was collected (and that’s still coming) will be used at the center this baby bird season, which is right around the corner…and we’ll be ready because of all of you!

And we also have to thank our amazing volunteers that helped make the event a success by providing our guests with learning opportunities and fun! We had Vivian from the Idaho Falconers’ Association with her Red Tailed Hawk; passing out important information about how to make your windows bird-safe, as well let attendees take part in a special art installation; Kelli and her domestic duck Daffy (who she adopted from our center after Daffy was found as a duckling that was left in the wild a few years ago) so attendees could learn about the difference between wild and domestic ducks and how she cares for them; simple make-and-take bird feeders and temporary bird tattoo station; delicious cupcakes from that were enjoyed during tours; fun kids games such as our duck pond and bird nest; and raffles featuring prizes from so many wonderful Treasure Valley businesses and donors.

We hope everyone enjoyed their time with us and learned about what we do to help the wild birds of the region. We’ll be announcing our spring and summer hours soon, when we’ll be in full swing and open longer hours as our center fills with baby and injured birds that are brought to us for care. We can’t help them without your help and support….so thank you for making sure we can continue to help our feathered friends!

04/16/2026

04/10/2026

Do you love birds and want to help the wild birds of the Treasure Valley? Join our flock as a volunteer! Volunteers are vital members of our team during the busy spring and summer seasons (approximately April/May through August). Volunteers help in a variety of ways including helping with cleaning bird cages and enclosures, food preparation, laundry, serving as “runners” for local bird pick-ups, as well as helping clean our Duckville area of the center. Weekly shifts are available seven days a week, so you can pick what fits your schedule! Volunteering with us is perfect for those aged 16 and older looking to help the birds and their community, while also learning about wild bird rehabilitation. If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, visit idahowildliferescue.org/volunteer for the application and more information. If you’re interested or have more questions, email: [email protected]!

03/22/2026

Thanks to Allie Triepke and Idaho News 6 for coming to yesterday’s Baby Bird Shower! Check out the full video and story at the 🔗:

Birds play a key role in the ecosystem, acting as pest control and pollinators. However, rapid growth in the Treasure Valley has led to habitat loss, forcing some birds into unsafe nesting areas.

03/22/2026

WOW! THANK YOU to everyone who attended today’s Baby Bird Shower! We are a little bit speechless over the amazing amount of support that was shown today. Hundreds came out today with shower gifts of seed, paper products, soap and gift cards, and many generously supported our raffles with monetary donations. We also have been getting donations from our Amazon Wish List and via online donations this week! Everything that was collected today and this week (and that’s still coming) will be used at the center this baby bird season, which is right around the corner…and we’ll be ready because of all of you!

And we also have to thank our amazing volunteers that helped make today a success by providing our guests with learning opportunities and fun! We had Vivian from the Idaho Falconers’ Association with her Red Tailed Hawk; passing out important information about how to make your windows bird-safe, as well let attendees take part in a special art installation; Kelli and her domestic duck Daffy (who she adopted from our center after Daffy was found as a duckling that was left in the wild a few years ago) so attendees could learn about the difference between wild and domestic ducks and how she cares for them; simple make-and-take bird feeders and temporary bird tattoo station; delicious cupcakes from that were enjoyed during tours; fun kids games such as our duck pond and bird nest; and raffles featuring prizes from so many wonderful Treasure Valley businesses and donors.

We hope everyone enjoyed their time with us and learned about what we do to help the wild birds of the region. We’ll be announcing our spring and summer hours soon, when we’ll be in full swing and open longer hours as our center fills with baby and injured birds that are brought to us for care. We can’t help them without your help and support….so thank you for making sure we can continue to help our feathered friends!

01/27/2026

It’s that time of year again, and it’s time for you to save a date! We’re hosting a Baby Bird Shower on March 21, and everyone is invited! Spring is our busiest time of the year, and we’ll be caring for nearly 200 baby and other birds at any given time during the season, and the birds will need your help! 🐦 Come to the event to take a tour and learn about what we do at the center, make bird feeders, learn what to do if you find an injured bird and more! And it wouldn’t be a shower without gifts! 🎁 Check out our registry list here, or visit tinyurl.com/rmbcshower, to see what the birds will need. Plus...everyone who brings a gift will be entered into a raffle to win a gift basket filled with items from local businesses and organizations. We hope you’ll come celebrate with us on March 21!