If you’ve found an injured bird, mammal or other wild animal, please call our infirmary at 517-548-5530.

The Howell Conference & Nature Center has been caring for wild birds and mammals since 1982.   In those 30 years, our goals have remained unchanged:

• To rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife in order to return physically and socially healthy birds, mammals, and other animals to their natural environment.
• To educate area citizens about the wild animals that share our world.

Fully licensed by the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, our infirmary sees more than 2,300 wild birds, mammals, and other animals each year.   Our on-staff veterinarian oversees the care of those animals, in cooperation with other staff, interns, and many volunteers.

Occasionally, when a wild bird or mammal cannot be released back to the wild, they may become residents of our Wild Wonders Wildlife Park.   The Park is home to 30 different types of native-Michigan species and serves as an educational zoo for the public.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation program at the Howell Conference & Nature Center is funded though
proceeds from special events and contributions from private individuals and businesses. While we are licensed by state and federal government departments, we are not funded by any governmental agencies.   To learn more about supporting our Wildlife Rehabilitation program, click here.

If you’d like to volunteer in our Wildlife Rehabilitation area, click here.

Important Information:

• In most cases, young or baby animals should be left alone.   If you are not sure if human intervention is necessary, call our infirmary at 517-548-5530.
• If an animal is obviously in need of care, keep the animal in a warm, dark and quiet place until you can bring it to the Nature Center.
• It is illegal for anyone to keep or care for wild birds and mammals without state and federal permits.
• The Howell Conference & Nature Center accepts most species of Michigan wildlife.
  We cannot accept raccoons, starlings, bats, house sparrows, pigeons, or skunks.
  However, please call our infirmary for advice for any of these animals.
  We do not take domestic pets or farm animals.

Caring for wild animals takes many hours and resources.
Take a look at our current wish list of items of greatest need.