Welcome and Thank You for Visiting!

Who We Are:

The Florida Wild Mammal Association (FWMA) was established in 1994 to rescue, rehabilitate, and release the sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in Wakulla and the surrounding counties. The other main focus has been public education on wildlife issues.

FWMA has:

• Rescued over 7,000 mammals, birds and reptiles, over 1000 in 2007.

• Served Wakulla, Franklin, Leon, Taylor and Jefferson Counties and part of Leon County.

• Been supported 100% by donations and grants.

• Been a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

• Offered ongoing educational demonstrations for local schools.

For many years now, FWMA has provided high school students the opportunity to learn about Florida's native wildlife through a Student Work Program. Students with an interest in wildlife were selected from volunteer programs to work at the center - giving them a chance to earn while they learned! It has been a highly successful program with some students staying through high school and into their college years - where they've gone on to earn environment/wildlife related degrees.

This program has not only provided students with the chance to work hands-on with native wildlife, but also provided FWMA with a dedicated and energetic staff. With over 1000 animals coming through each year, there is a never-ending parade of mouths to feed and cages to clean. Our young student staff have excelled in taking care of the animals in our charge.

Unfortunately, as with rising food costs and high gas prices, the sagging economy has hit FWMA and hit hard. The Student Work Program has lost its funding grant and as a result, nine of our 11 students have been laid off. This is not only difficult for the special kids who have become so much a part of FWMA, it leaves FWMA with a skeleton staff. We are heading into Baby Season and already the ophaned and injured creatures are coming in. Qualified staff is at a minimum.

FWMA can use help in several ways:

If you are an individual who enjoys working with animals and would be willing to volunteer for a couple of hours a week, all you have to do is complete a short training course! Morning and afternoon volunteer shifts are available.

If you would like to help keep a student working, please consider sponsoring one of our students. Hourly and weekly sponsorships are available.

If you are a part of a Scout Troop or Church Youth group and you're looking for a summer project, FWMA needs perches for our Hawks and Owls and new hutches for our Rabbits. All material will be provided.

Please contact FWMA if you can help with any of the above and remember, we always need:

1. bleach

2. paper towels

3. fruit cocktail

4. birdseed & nuts

5. pelican fish (pinfish, finger mullet, thread herring, butterfish)

6. fresh fruit & vegetables

7. Pedigree wet & dry dog food

8. Friskies wet & dry cat food

9. Dawn dish liquid

10. gift cards from local grocers to give FWMA flexibility in purchasing when needed items are not on hand.

Donate: enter any amount that you wish to give and follow the Paypal instructions.

Blog: Judy Cooke, a dedicated volunteer with a love of wildlife and photography, keeps a very interesting photographic journal of her work at FWMA. Enjoy her journey and learn a lot about several rehabilitation cases. See her photos and commentary at www.blognow.com.au/FWMA.

FWMA Fire Update

The September 5, 2007 fire on the FWMA property may have totally destroyed the Beatty home (family of the director), but it did not destroy their spirit nor their dedication to helping wildlife.

Thanks to the wonderful support provided by so many generous friends, old and new, volunteers and family, the wildlife rehabilitation is back in full operation. Among those who gave of their time, talent, and treasure were: ROTC, Promised Land Ministries, Florida Wildlife Commission, Morgans Electric, Wakulla County Landfill, Keith Key Heating & Air, Howdy’s, Goose Creek Wildlife Rescue, and many others – thank you to each and every one who pitched in to make everything happen!

Donations of funds and time received from the many caring folks in the community allowed Chris Beatty and her family to repair the deer pen and build a new one, rewire the medical and baby bird rooms, purchase a freezer, water tank and pump, washer, AC unit and many other recovery tasks. Chris is extremely appreciative of everything that the kind people of the area did during this tragic time; without that help, the rehab activities could not have continued.