The day is finally here!

The Wildlife In Need Center is moving to its new home!

After several years of searching, rasing funds and support, and negotiating leases, our more efficient, more green, more public-friendly facility will be opening on Monday, June 27th.

To accomodate for the moving process, the Center will not be accepting calls for phone counseling, nor will we be accepting patients to our clinic on:

Thursday, June 23rd

Friday, June 24th

Saturday, June 25th 

Sunday, June 26th

Click here for links to other area resources that can be of assistance if you've found an animal that you think needs help.

We will open the doors at our new facility at W349 S1480 S. Waterville Road Suite B on
Monday, June 27th.
Please note that our new phone number will be (262) 965-3090

The Final Push has Begun!

Well, we are in the final push to get the new facility completed and the activity level has reached a fevered pitch. One of the most important features of the new building is the use and conservation of water. Through the help of Joel Reinders, we have installed a system that will allow us to collect nearly all of the rain water from the roof of the new building. This water will then be used to help clean the outdoor enclosures reducing our dependency on the well water. 

Near the front entrance to the building a small water feature will serve as an example of the types of water conservation methods similar to our facility-sized system in the back that can be implemented by the average homeowner.

Additionally, our parking lot, walkways and patio are all constructed out of permeable paving bricks. This system created with these bricks, rather than traditional asphalt, allows water to pass through the paving and is then absorbed directly back into the ground. This eliminates the need to create large retention ponds. It also allows us to create various natural habitats for wildlife of all sorts.

These special pavers will help to reduce the amount of contaminated runoff collecting outside the parking area. Special care must be taken to keep them in good shape year after year, but the environmental impact is worth the effort.

Considering the surrounding environment was very important for us when we planned and designed this building. In addition to the water conservation efforts outside, the building is efficient in a variety of other areas, from the special heating and cooling system to the rain collection program. When the center opens to the public later this summer, people will be able to see how we have incorporated these various efficiencies into the design. They also will be able to see how they too can benefit from these programs in their own homes.



Natural materials and efficient heating, cooling, and electrical systems were used as much as possible as you can see here in the nearly completed front office area.

We look forward to seeing you all at our new facility in the very near future! Watch for updates in the coming weeks when we announce our long-awaited final move-in date!

April Showers Shall Bring May Flowers

As the spring finally arrives, the new WINC facility is really taking shape. When we set out to design the new center, we wanted to be a green as possible - not always an easy thing to do with a “medical” building. One of the more visible features of our green building however is that we are collecting 100% of the rainwater from the roof and recycling it for use in our outdoor enclosures. This water will be used to clean and water the enclosures throughout the summer. Additionally, a demonstration area has been built to showcase how ordinary people can employ the same techniques at home. Through visual aids and regular public programs we plan to illustrate how anyone can reuse water for irrigation and other outdoor needs. We will also demonstrate how by creating a natural way of filtration, you can create a wonderful outdoor habitat for wildlife that will continue throughout the year. Water conservation and water issues are important for all of us especially in southeastern Wisconsin. Our hope is that this educational model can help someday reduce dependence on well and city water throughout Waukesha County. 

As we move forward as an organization the intent at the new WINC facility will not only be to rehab our injured and orphaned wildlife, but to educate people in the community about ways they can help our surroundings – in turn helping wildlife themselves. 



 Just behind the building, between the library/meeting room and the outdoor enclosure area is the main focal point of the rear water retention system. This area will have a small fountain (much like the smaller size system in the front) that will help to keep the water filtered on a continual basis.





These blocks create the structure that holds the retained water. They have been buried underground and are strong enough to support the weight of the ground, rocks and living habitat that will be created atop them.





WINC volunteer and supporter, Joel Reinders, helps to lay out the foundation rock for the surface of the water retention system. This system will not only allow us to keep many thousands of gallons of water from going directly back into the area streams and groundwater, but will allow us to filter and reuse it as well - saving many gallons of water that would need to be used to properly clean and maintain our outdoor enclosures. This above ground fountain area will also serve as an ideal living habitat for native wildlife and a peaceful sight for staff, volunteers and visitors to the center.



This entire system and the beautiful landscaping that will cover it couldn't have been possible without the combined support of Reinders Inc, Dean Pipito Water Features, the Waukesha County Extension and our many dedicated supporters and volunteers. If you would like to make a monetary or in-kind donation to help us complete this project please contact us.

After two and a half years...

...the Wildlife in Need Center (WINC) has begun construction of it's new home in Ottawa!

Through a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha (UW-W), WINC will relocate it's operation to a new, nearly 6000 sq.ft. facility. The new facility is being built at the Field Station managed by UW-W and will become an addition to an existing structure, the Gertrude Sherman building. The Gertrude Sherman building was built in 2000 and houses a classroom and pottery studio. While the current building will remain and the use of the building will stay the same, both the new addition as well as the existing building will provide for expanded learning opportunities for both UW-W students as well as for WINC.  

Construction officially started in October of 2010 and we anticipate a completion date sometime in May 2011 - just in time for our busiest season. WINC currently treats approx. 2100-2500 animals a year.  In the new location, WINC will be able to provide care for a small number of additional patients as well as provide a much more efficient facility for our volunteers helping us care for them. In addition, the facility will allow WINC to expand it's educational programming allowing for on-site education programing, something the center has been unable to do at it's current location. 

Although WINC and UW-W will remain seperate entities, through this collaboration we will be able to enhance many aspects of each other's missions. The recently added research component of our mission will also see added benefits. Proposed research projects will consist primarily of diet research, rehabilitation impact studies on various species and other field research projects both on and off-site. The intern program at the center will also be expanded to include year round learning opportunities in animal care, community outreach, education and research.

Not only will the new center provide an enhanced experience for the wildlife patients and volunteers of the organization, it will also be a showcase for various green building applications, from an advanced storm water recyling program featuring a complete water reclamation system to advanced energy saving design features. In addition, the center will feature a number of unique habitat restoration projects in conjunction with UW-W.

Michael Guzniczak, Executive Director of WINC says "This represents one of the most significant milestones in the organization's 16 year history. [By moving to the UW-Waukesha Field Station] Not only are we able to construct the new state of the art, energy efficient facility, which has been in our plans for nearly 6 years, but we also have a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with UW-W and the rest of the UW System. That collaboration will yield significant success in both our mission and programing as well as the mission of UW-W. [Speaking for WINC] the entire organization could't be more excited."

We hope you're excited to and stay tuned to watch our progress!



Trees being thinned out, relocated and removed at the UW-W Field Station site



Site Clearing began as early as this past summer while actual construction began just last month

Guest Blogger M.G.