Pacific Wildlife Care

Pacific Wildlife Care Pacific Wildlife Care is a non-profit organization on the Central Coast of California.
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We rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured or orphaned wildlife throughout San Luis Obispo County.

06/12/2026

✨ Happy Freedom Friday! ✨

These two Western Grebes arrived at our clinic after being contaminated with oil. One had a large patch of tar covering its breast, while the other had oil scattered across its feathers.

For aquatic birds like grebes who spend most of their life on the water, healthy feathers are essential. Their feathers trap a layer of air next to the skin, helping keep them warm, dry, and buoyant. When oil coats those feathers, that waterproofing is lost, leaving birds cold, stressed, and unable to forage effectively. Oil can also burn the skin and be ingested during preening, causing serious internal health problems.

Where does the oil come from? Along California’s coast, strong swells can churn up naturally occurring offshore oil seeps. Pacific Wildlife Care works closely with the Oiled Wildlife Care Network to monitor oiled wildlife admitted to our clinic. Samples are collected from affected animals and analyzed to determine the source of the oil. Oil has a chemical “fingerprint,” which can be compared to known samples to help determine whether the oil came from a natural seep or human-caused spill.

Both grebes received specialized treatment, including stabilization and a wash to remove the oil (don’t try this at home!). After washing, the birds spent time cycling between pools and drying areas while preening and realigning their feather structure needed for waterproofing.

After about two weeks in care, both Western Grebes passed their waterproofing tests and were successfully released back to the wild 💛

06/11/2026

💛 We are Pacific Wildlife Care! We are proud to serve as a community resource for San Luis Obispo County. Each year, we care for thousands of injured and orphaned wild animals, answer thousands of wildlife hotline calls, and help people understand how to live more peacefully alongside our wild neighbors.

None of this work happens alone. It is made possible by the volunteers, donors, partners, and community members who choose to help wildlife. Thank you for standing with us 💛

🎥 Richard Hanjoon Kim
richardhanjoonkim.com

🌊 Happy World Ocean Day! 🌊Meet Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross and the world's oldest known wild bird! At least 75 years old,...
06/09/2026

🌊 Happy World Ocean Day! 🌊

Meet Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross and the world's oldest known wild bird! At least 75 years old, she has spent decades soaring across the Pacific Ocean, traveling millions of miles, and raising more than 30 chicks! As a seabird who spends almost all her life on the sea, Wisdom depends on a healthy ocean.

Unfortunately, our oceans and marine wildlife face many challenges, including pollution, overfishing, bycatch, and changing ocean conditions. Today is a great reminder that small actions matter:

🗑️ Pick up litter
🎣 Properly dispose of fishing line and tackle
🐦 Give resting and nesting wildlife space
🌎 Support efforts that protect healthy oceans and coastal habitats

The problems facing our oceans can feel overwhelming, but when we work together, positive change happens. Here's to Wisdom, the incredible wildlife who call the ocean home, and the people working every day to create a brighter future for our precious planet 💙

📷 Wisdom with her chick at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in March 2011. Photo by John Klavitter, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

06/05/2026

✨ Happy Freedom Friday! ✨

This juvenile Red-tailed Hawk arrived at our clinic at the end of January unable to fly. On intake, the bird was not standing, was cold and severely emaciated, and had lesions on his feet.

Our team provided immediate care: warmth, fluids, and carefully managed nutrition to help the hawk regain strength. Over the next several weeks, the patient steadily improved, nearly doubling in weight. The feet healed, strength returned, and the hawk was ready to begin flight conditioning. Before release, the bird completed two creance sessions to assess flight ability: "all flights were spectacular—strong and with great form," reported creance volunteer, Pam.

After 44 days in care, this hawk was successfully released back in San Luis Obispo for a second chance in the wild 💛

📷 Heather H.

⭐ Volunteer Spotlight: meet Diane! ⭐Diane has been volunteering with Pacific Wildlife Care since 2022, helping with our ...
06/03/2026

⭐ Volunteer Spotlight: meet Diane! ⭐

Diane has been volunteering with Pacific Wildlife Care since 2022, helping with our front desk, hotline, Rescue & Transport team, and just about anywhere else an extra set of hands is needed. Whether she's tackling dishes, laundry, or assisting with wildlife admissions, Diane is always ready to jump in.

During the week, Diane is a high school math teacher. On Saturdays, you'll often find her volunteering at PWC. “Everyone looks at me crazy for spending my Saturday nights here,” she laughs. A lifelong animal lover, Diane has been involved in animal rescue for decades.

"Community service means a lot to me," Diane says. "I love the people here. This place charges you up. Seeing animals doing much better and knowing that, even when we can't save them all, they're at least at peace."

Thank you, Diane, for your compassion, dedication, and willingness to help. We are lucky to have you on our team! 💛

Our busiest season is in full swing, and we need more helping hands!We're especially looking for volunteers who can comm...
06/02/2026

Our busiest season is in full swing, and we need more helping hands!

We're especially looking for volunteers who can commit to regular shifts on our:

🦉 Rehabilitation Center Team:
Help care for the hundreds of wild patients in our Morro Bay rehabilitation center. Volunteer tasks include preparing diets, cleaning enclosures and crates, doing laundry and dishes, and assisting with animal care under the guidance of staff and experienced mentors. Typically one 4hr shift/week (or more!)

🐣 Baby Bird Room Team:
Help care for baby birds during baby season (now through ~August). Volunteers feed baby birds and clean enclosures and supplies. Typically one 4hr shift/week (or more!)

🚗 Rescue & Transport Team:
Help injured and orphaned wildlife get the care they need by transporting animals to our rehabilitation center and, depending on your comfort level and training, assisting with rescues in the field. Minimum of 8hrs/month.
📅 We're hosting a Rescue & Transport training later this month, making now the perfect time to join the team!

No wildlife experience is required, we'll provide the training.

💛 Apply today:
pacificwildlifecare.org/volunteer_application

This Nuttall's Woodpecker arrived at our clinic after being caught by a cat. Even when injuries appear minor, wildlife t...
06/02/2026

This Nuttall's Woodpecker arrived at our clinic after being caught by a cat. Even when injuries appear minor, wildlife that has been in a cat's mouth is at serious risk as bacteria in cat saliva can cause life-threatening infections.

After 46 days of medication and supportive care, this woodpecker recovered and was strong enough to return home to Atascadero 💛

Nuttall's Woodpeckers are year-round residents of California's oak woodlands. You can often spot them climbing tree trunks in search of insects hidden beneath the bark, using their strong bills to excavate food and nesting cavities.

🐱 One of the best ways to help wildlife is to keep cats indoors, in enclosed catios, or supervised on a leash. If you find wildlife that has been in a cat's mouth, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible, even if the animal appears uninjured.

This young Great Horned Owl arrived at our clinic after being orphaned and separated from its parents. This nestling is ...
05/31/2026

This young Great Horned Owl arrived at our clinic after being orphaned and separated from its parents. This nestling is still receiving the specialized care and proper nutrition needed to grow up strong and wild, ready for a second chance.

⏰ With just ONE DAY LEFT in our Baby Season Campaign, we're so close to reaching our goal! If you've been thinking about giving, now is the time. Your support helps ensure we're ready for the hundreds of wildlife patients still to come this season.

Support Baby Wildlife today: pacificwildlifecare.org/baby-season-give

This owl is just one of 637 baby animals we’ve admitted so far this year, in addition to more than 1,000 adult wildlife patients who have come through our doors. In fact, we've admitted 30% more animals than we had by this time last year (and 2025 was already a record-breaking year!). Every patient requires food, medical supplies, and expert care. For many like this owl, rehabilitation can mean weeks or even months of care before they're ready for life back in the wild.

💛 Thank you to everyone who has already donated, shared our campaign, and helped wildlife in need. Together, we're giving wild animals a second chance.

05/29/2026

✨ Happy Freedom Friday!

This adult Yellow-billed Magpie arrived at our clinic in April. The bird was unable to hold its head upright, struggled to stand and move normally, and showed signs of neurological injury, possibly from head trauma like hitting a window.

With medications, fluids, and supportive care, the magpie slowly began to improve. Once stable, the bird moved to an outdoor aviary to rebuild strength and coordination. After 23 days in care, this patient was successfully released back in Atascadero 💛

Yellow-billed Magpies are found only in California, making them one of the state’s few truly endemic bird species. Relatives of crows and jays, they are highly intelligent birds with a varied diet that includes insects, acorns, grains, and even ticks. Unfortunately, Yellow-billed Magpie populations have declined significantly in recent decades. The 2025 State of the Birds report lists the species as a “Red Alert” tipping point species, meaning populations have dropped by more than 50% over the past 50 years.

You can help wildlife through a few simple actions:
🪟 Make windows visible to birds by adding stickers in a 2”x2” pattern or screens
🚫 Do not use glue traps or rodenticides to manage rodent problems
🌳 Trim trees in fall or winter so as not to disturb spring-nesting animals
🐈 Keep cats inside, in enclosed catios, or on leash
☎️ If you find an animal in need in SLO County, call us at 805-543-WILD. Please do not give injured wildlife food or water and do not keep them as pets.

📷 Alex B.

This Desert Cottontail arrived at our clinic after being caught by a dog with injuries around the mouth. After more than...
05/28/2026

This Desert Cottontail arrived at our clinic after being caught by a dog with injuries around the mouth. After more than two weeks of supportive care, careful monitoring, and proper nutrition, this little rabbit recovered and was successfully released back into the wild, healthy and strong 🎉

If you find wildlife that has been in a pet’s mouth, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible, even if the animal appears unharmed. Quick intervention can make all the difference. If you are in SLO County and find an animal in need, call us at 805-543-WILD.

Address

1387 Main Street
Morro Bay, CA
93442

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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