At California Wildlife Center, we care for thousands of injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals each year. Animals are admitted year-round, but there is an influx of patients between March and October, with the majority arriving between March and June. During these months, we take in 30–40 animals daily and respond to over 100 text messages a day, all while balancing the intricate medication and feeding schedules of the animals already in our care.
Like many nonprofits, CWC’s greatest hope is for our services to be a last resort. We care deeply for our patients and treasure our experiences with them, but they arrive in our care due to accidents and illnesses.
CWC’s core mission to rehabilitate wildlife wouldn’t be possible without our incredible, compassionate community in the greater Los Angeles area. Angelenos live in close proximity to wildlife.
All of us here at California Wildlife Center are constantly advocating for native wildlife. Whether it’s on the phone with one of the tens of thousands of calls we receive each year or answering questions from our friends and families about their wildlife encounters, we do our best to support animals through education. One person at a time, we explain why that fledgling bird is okay to leave alone or why those raccoons are hanging out in your yard.
Some of you might remember our Feathers Flippers and Fur Picnic at King Gilette Ranch back in 2019. It was our second year and a success—bringing together like-minded animal-loving folks and raising money for California Wildlife Center. We were planning to make that an annual event as 2020 took a different turn and like many other groups, we had to cancel our outdoor gathering during the pandemic. Throughout 2020 we were looking forward to a return to normalcy and our event in 2021. However, in Spring, California still had many restrictions that precluded a group of non-family members to come together.
Instead we opted to hold our first ever digital fundraiser on April 17th. During the preceding week we had an online silent auction with donated items. And what a wonderful assortment! Our volunteers and supporters were able to gather some truly amazing items. We had an Epiphone guitar signed by Slash (of Guns and Roses), earrings from Kendall Conrad, a painting by Incubus singer Brandon Boyd, a weekend in Mammoth, VIP tickets to his comedy club and meet and greet with Brad Garrett, packages from Patagonia, gorgeous diamond jewelry, fabulous original art, and access to YogaWorks and Box ‘n’ Burn. We auctioned gift cards to Neptune’s Net, Nobu, V’s Restaurant, Gelson’s, ALC, Alexis Smart Flowers, Heather Taylor Home, and Pizzana among others. All of the auction items were donated so that 100% of the proceeds from the auction are dedicated to helping our wild patients.
We had three amazing sponsors to underwrite our event—John Paul Mitchell Systems, makers of fine haircare that has been cruelty-free for 40+ years. JPMS sources sustainable plants and natural ingredients for their tremendous range of human and pet products. Quigley-Simpson is a local advertising and marketing company that has become a powerhouse in the industry and supported California Wildlife Center throughout. In fact, they designed the current logo for CWC pro bono. Common Good Advisors is a nonprofit advisory group who walk the walk and talk the talk—authenticity is in their DNA and we benefit greatly from their help.
At the end of the day, the event was a success and we earned more than our initial goal. All of this would not have been possible without the amazing volunteers who assisted our staff— Angela Heine, Board member Dr Lisa Newell, Gail Hagopian, Corby Sandberg and Apryl Boyle.
But most of all, we have to thank every single person who tuned into the show (still visible on our YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram) and who bid on our auction throughout! Thank you for supporting wildlife!
Some of our famous fans: Top L to R: Brad Garrett, Cindy Crawford, Brooke Burke, Bottom L to R: Brandon Boyd, Sheila Kuehl, Alicia Silverstone
By Development Coordinator, Heather Patrice Brown
Join California Wildlife Center for something Wild and Wonderful! The 18th annual Wild Brunch will be held on September 25, 2016 at Gull’s Way, Malibu.
Show your support for California Wildlife Center and its Wild and Wonderful animal patients. Each year, CWC cares for over 4,300 wild animals native to California from Los Angeles and Southern Ventura Counties. When you purchase a ticket to The Wild Brunch, you are helping ensure the continuation of CWC’s state-of-the-art medical care and rescue services, as well as rehabilitation and release to the wild for these animals.
This year’s event will include “Tastes of the Wild” vegetarian cuisine from top-rated chefs and restaurateurs; Wine-tasting courtesy of Malibu and Napa Valley vintners; Live and Silent Auctions; Festive libations; Complimentary Psychic and Healing Sessions; Live music; Children’s fun area and buffet; Wildlife Release.
To purchase your ticket to The Wild Brunch or to learn more about the event, CLICK HERE.
