Here at California Wildlife Center, we are used to the trials and tribulations that come with each season. No two seasons are ever alike, and each brings its own challenges, surprises, and opportunities to learn and adapt. This season, however, seemed to bring eight months of unexpected events.

This year, our busy season spanned from the first week of March to the middle of October. Over those 33 weeks, we admitted 4,782 animals. To put that number into perspective, we admitted 3,714 animals during the same period last season, meaning we admitted over 1,000 more animals this year.

Our online database was implemented in 2013, and in 13 years, this has been the busiest season on record. Last year’s season is the second busiest, with 4,333 patients admitted from January 1st through December 31st. With admissions reaching record levels in consecutive years, it is clear that the need for wildlife rehabilitation continues to grow.

We have seen an overall increase in House Finches, Virginia Opossums, Hummingbirds, and Mallards, all of which are among our most common patients each season. Regardless of the patient numbers, our medical team remained committed to giving each and every one of our patients the best care possible. As weather patterns fluctuate, human-wildlife encounters increase, and natural resources become more limited, we expect to see even more animals in need of help in the coming years.