Wildlife Center of Texas

Description

Specialties

The Wildlife Center of Texas is a hospital that accepts all injured, orphaned, ill, and oiled native Texas wildlife. We do NOT accept healthy, trapped animals in need of relocation. We do NOT accept exotic or domestic animals. If you have found one of the 5 high risk rabies vector species (raccoons, bats, foxes, coyotes, and skunks), you must speak to a WCT staff member before bringing the animal. The Wildlife Center of Texas is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that does not receive ANY local, state, or federal funding. We are supported solely by donations. All donations are tax-deductible.

History

Established in 1992.

In addition to the combined 85 years of experience between its founders, The Wildlife Center of Texas was officially founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in December of 1992 as Wildlife Rehab & Education. In 2007, we became a subsidiary of the Houston SPCA. Reflecting our commitment to animals and our expansion of programs and services to meet the growing needs of native wildlife in Texas, we changed our name in 2011 from Wildlife Rehab & Education to The Wildlife Center of Texas. We are now the largest and most sophisticated wildlife response center on the Gulf Coast and one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation hospitals in the country.

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Sharon S.

Business Owner

Sharon Schmalz is executive director of the WCT. For 32 yrs, she has maintained the multiple state and federal permits necessary to care for injured, orphaned, endangered, educational and oiled wildlife. A founding member of the WCT Oiled Wildlife Response Team, she has acted as director for 25 yrs.The team responds to oiled wildlife in both inland and coastal areas. Ms. Schmalz is 40 hr. HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) certified and ICS (Incident Command System) trained to care for oil-contaminated wildlife. She maintains a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card) to allow for collection of wildlife in locations sensitive to Homeland Security such as ship channels and ports. She was involved in the development of the "Best Practices for Migratory Bird Care During Oil Spill Response" document in Anchorage, AK. For 20 yrs, she coordinated workshops for TGLO and for industry and maintained the resulting database of potential volunteers for response.