Wildlife Rescue of Central Texas
Rescue. Educate. Coexist.
About Us
Mission
Wildlife Rescue of Central Texas cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, provides public education programs, and promotes peaceful coexistence with our wild neighbors.
Wildlife Rescue of Central Texas (WRCT) is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Our team of passionate experts provides the best possible care to every animal who comes through our doors and we are committed to educating the public about the importance of coexisting with wildlife.
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Our goal at WRCT is to develop a network of caring and passionate individuals who come together to serve Central Texas wildlife. We will collaborate with individuals, nonprofits, and businesses with like-minded ambitions to help our wild neighbors in a variety of ways. We strive to provide the public with direct assistance, resolutions, and support which benefits humans and animals alike.
We invite you to join us in our mission to make a difference in the lives of Central Texas wildlife.
Our Vision
We envision a community in which every wild animal has a place within the ecosystem and is treated with compassion and respect. With greater understanding of wildlife, there will be far fewer animals who need wildlife rehabilitation, and the ones who do, will have a place to heal before release back into the wild.
Our Values
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Dedicated and compassionate toward the animals we care for and the community we serve
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Knowledgeable
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Empathetic
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Respectful
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Resourceful
At WRCT we follow the National Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Code of Ethics
Our Team
Hayley Hudnall
Board President
I have worked in the wildlife rehabilitation field for 15 years and have a passion for saving wildlife and connecting with the community to share information and stories about wildlife and my personal experiences caring for them. I earned a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries from Texas A&M University and an MS in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State University. I am excited to open a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Bastrop, TX and look forward to helping wildlife in need as Central Texas continues to grow. When I'm not rehabilitating wildlife (and when I am) I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, and enjoying the wildlife in my backyard.
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Favorite animals to rehabilitate: opossums, skunks, foxes, and armadillos
Natalie Lee
Board Secretary
My upbringing in the charm of small-town Texas ignited a fascination with wildlife, which led me to pursue a Biology degree at Texas State University. While finishing my degree, my zest for the natural world blossomed into a position as a Wildlife Vet Technician, where I immersed myself in the incredible conservation community of Central Texas. Through my work, I witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of urban development and extreme Texas weather on wildlife, highlighting the need for wildlife rehabilitation.
Within the community, I quickly connected with dedicated volunteers who chose to spend their spare time caring for these remarkable creatures, tidying cages, and preparing proper diets. I was impressed by every patron who went out of their way to bring in a distressed animal and welcomed the opportunity to be educated about the specific species and how we can coexist with these natural treasures.
For the next decade, I redirected my energy to an equally dynamic and untamed field: middle school science education. Drawing from my experience as a Wildlife Technician, I educated our youth on conservation practices and the wonders of the natural world. This blend of my passions for wildlife and education has been profoundly rewarding, allowing me to nurture a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals.
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Favorite animals to rehabilitate: opossums and skunks
Natalie Hayden
Board Treasurer
I have loved animals for as long as I can remember; I have the firm belief that it is a love I was born with and something that is a part of my very being. The urge to help and protect animals in need is something I have known my whole life and a calling I have fully and completely embraced. I sought out volunteer opportunities to work with different kinds of animals in different capacities, during which time I was first introduced to working hands on with sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. It was in working with wildlife that I found what I was truly passionate about.
I worked as a veterinary technician at a low cost, high volume spay/neuter clinic for 7 years and spent 8 years with Bastrop County Animal Control where I focused on education and enforcement in an effort to continue to make my community a better place for all to live. However, my passion for wildlife rehabilitation, education, and coexistence has only grown over the years and I find myself doing what I can, when I can, how I can, whenever I can to advocate for our wild things and our wild world. I believe fully that encouraging people to learn about wildlife, giving them the resources to do so, and letting them experience, first hand, the positive impact they can have on our wild world and how small acts of kindness can start a positive change that effects all. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been given to promote this positive change and will work hard to ensure I make the most out of it for as long as I can.
Favorite animals to rehabilitate: Foxes, black vultures, roadrunners, and skunks