After rescue, every animal’s journey begins in our on-site Veterinary Hospital, the heart of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center’s rehabilitation work.

Here, injured, sick, and orphaned native mammals receive medical care from our veterinary team dedicated to giving each patient the best possible chance to return to the wild. Equipped for everything from routine exams to complex surgeries, our Hospital does it all.

Spring and summer often turn the Hospital into a wildlife nursery, where bottles are sterilized, specialized formulas are mixed, and tiny patients get the nutrition they need to grow strong.

Throughout the process, we minimize human contact to preserve each animal’s natural instincts. Once stable, animals move to our outdoor rehabilitation areas, where they can recover in peace and, for orphans, learn survival skills from others of their kind.

Some patients stay only a few weeks, while others require months of care before they’re ready for the next stage, release back into the wild. For those who cannot be released, our veterinary team ensures lifelong, specialized care in our accredited sanctuary.

Whether it’s mending a broken leg or helping a bobcat kitten learn to hunt, our rehabilitation work is always guided by one goal: to return healthy, capable animals to their wild homes.

Interested in helping behind the scenes? If you’d like to volunteer in our Veterinary Hospital, click here to apply.