Desert Wildlife Center

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Desert Wildlife Center

Providing wildlife rehabilitation in the Coachella Valley region. Join us in protecting local wildlife!

Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies is thrilled to announce the opening of the Desert Wildlife Center (DWC). The DWC serves as a safe refuge for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife needing medical treatment and rehabilitation. The DWC will initially serve wild birds, and with plans to accept both reptiles and mammals in the future. In addition to rescue, treatment, care, and rehabilitation services, DWC will offer humane education to community members of all ages, creating a solid grassroots network of wildlife advocates dedicated to cultivating and sustaining peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

10/03/2026

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with us!

Join Lindsay Rowe of Audubon California for Shifting Habitats and Bird Populations at the Salton Sea, a special presentation exploring the birds that depend on California’s largest lake.

Learn how changing habitats are affecting bird populations, how science is guiding conservation efforts, and how you can contribute to this important work.

Saturday, October 10 at 10 AM
Indio Library, Opportunity Room
200 Civic Center Drive, Indio

Free to attend. RSVP
https://www.jotform.com/build/262747126292158

10/01/2026

You’re invited to a special evening benefiting the Desert Wildlife Center.

Join us for a FREE community gathering celebrating the important work of the Desert Wildlife Center and its role in caring for and rehabilitating local wildlife throughout the Coachella Valley.

Enjoy an evening of food, music, and community while learning more about the Center’s impact and how you can help ensure a future of compassionate wildlife care in our region.

Attendance is free, but space is limited. RSVP today to reserve your spot.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available from $1,000 to $5,000.

RSVP:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/acftw/event/acallforthewild

09/29/2026

Meet a very special member of the Desert Wildlife Center, our first and only wildlife ambassador.

As Mikah explains, this desert tortoise represents so much more than one species. He helps tell the story of our desert ecosystem and the important role native wildlife plays within it.

Through Paul, we have a unique opportunity to help people better understand, appreciate, and connect with the wildlife that surrounds us.

And his name has a special meaning, too. Paul is named in honor of Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International.

Welcome, Paul! And Happy Birthday!

09/22/2026

When this mallard arrived at the Desert Wildlife Center, she was severely debilitated and barely moving.

Our team took X-rays to get a better look at what was going on. Her bones looked good, but she was underweight and needed nutritional support, medication, and time to recover.

As she regained her strength, she became the very first patient to try out our new duck pond, an important part of her rehabilitation.

A few weeks later, she was strong enough to return to where she belongs, the wild.

From barely moving to swimming, strengthening, and finally returning home. This is wildlife rehabilitation.

09/17/2026

From a tiny nestling to back in the wild.

This Cooper’s Hawk came to the Desert Wildlife Center after falling from a nest. Still very young, they needed assisted feedings every few hours and weeks of specialized care.

As they grew stronger, they began eating independently and showing the natural behaviors needed for life in the wild. The next stage of rehabilitation focused on building flight strength, endurance, and the skills needed to survive on their own.

And then, release.

Watching them take flight is what wildlife rehabilitation is all about. Every stage of care has one goal in mind: giving our wild patients the best possible chance to return to the wild.

This is why we do what we do.

09/12/2026

They arrived at the Desert Wildlife Center as tiny nestlings, found without their mothers and too young to survive on their own. For one group, their mother and siblings had been struck by a vehicle.

For several weeks, our team provided the specialized care they needed while they did the important work of growing up. They gained weight and strength, learned to swim, developed their flight skills, and became increasingly independent.

That independence is exactly what we want to see.

Wildlife rehabilitation is about preparing animals to return to life in the wild. And when these ducklings were strong, healthy, and able to survive on their own, it was time to let them go.

From tiny nestlings in our care to wild birds flying free, this is what rehabilitation is all about.

09/09/2026

This opossum came to the Desert Wildlife Center after being caught by a dog.

Our team performed a full exam and took X rays to check for injuries that weren’t visible from the outside. We also checked her teeth, since dental injuries are common in dog caught opossums.

Good news. No fractures were found, and all four canine teeth are intact.

She is underweight, so she’s receiving fluids and supportive care while she regains her strength. If all continues to go well, she should be ready for release soon.

Every wildlife patient arrives with different needs. Our job is to find out what they are, provide the care they need, and give them the best possible chance to return to the wild.

08/22/2026

🌟 Could your pet be our next Pet Star? 🌟

The Pet Star 2027 Photo Contest kicks off August 15! Enter your favorite photo of your dog, cat, bird, small pet—or any other animal you think deserves the spotlight. 🐾

The pet with the most votes will be crowned our 2027 Pet Star Champion and featured on the cover of the Pet Star 2027 calendar!

Best of all, every entry and every vote benefits Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies and supports the work happening across all three of our organizations:

🐾 Palm Springs Animal Shelter
🦉 Desert Wildlife Center
🩺 Desert Community Animal Center

📸 $25 to enter
🗳️ $1 per vote (5-vote minimum)
📅 August 15–September 30

Enter early, start sharing, and rally your pet’s biggest fans!

Enter, vote & learn more:
gpsanimalallies.org/petstar

Your pet already has star power. Now it’s time to share it! ✨

08/21/2026

JOIN US ON ZOOM at our next
What’s Wild at the Desert Wildlife Center Livestream on Thursday, August 27, from 4:30–5:30 PM!

RSVP to get ZOOM LINK

EVENT IS FREE- JUST RSVP (link in bio and below)
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/deswilcen/event/wwatdwclc/?blm_aid=81078

Hosted by Mikah Curtis, Director of the Desert Wildlife Center, and Dr. Tianna Grant, Veterinarian, this one-hour livestream will provide an inside look at the work happening at our wildlife rehabilitation center.

Mikah and Dr. Grant will take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, introduce you to some of our current wildlife patients, and share stories about recent wildlife releases.
All you need to participate is a cellphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection.

Address

46500 Van Buren Street
Indio, CA
92201

Website

http://desertwildlifecenter.org/

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